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AMC Airman 'goes green' to aid OIF mission

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KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --   When Airman 1st Class Gary Doran graduated from the Department of Defense biomedical equipment technicians course in 2002 and moved to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., he thought his time at the joint-service school would be his last experience working with Soldiers for a long time. In fact, he didnt know if hed ever work with Soldiers again.

But he was wrong, and in this case, being wrong was a good thing, according to Airman Doran, who has tacked on another stripe since graduating from technical school and is now deployed to Southwest Asia as a member of the Armys 354th Medical Logistics Company.

"I was a nervous and a little excited when I found out Id be assigned to an Army unit," said Airman Doran during a stop here Sept. 15.

He and Army Staff Sgt. Karl Faber flew to Kirkuk Sept. 13 to repair biomedical equipment in the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron. Sergeant Faber is a U.S. Army Reservist from Dallas, also assigned to the 354th. Hes been in the region for more than eight months and is anticipating his return to his wife and three sons in northern Texas after completing his one-year tour.

While Airman Doran may be as green in Southwest Asia as Sergeant Faber is experienced he arrived in the region Sept. 10 his trip to Kirkuk is only the first of many he expects to make during his four-month Operation Iraqi Freedom tour of duty.

Unfortunately, hell be making those trips without Sergeant Faber. The sergeant is scheduled to spend the next few months in Tikrit, Iraq, while Airman Doran will return to the 354th and team up with other Soldiers for more trips to medical facilities throughout Southwest Asia.

Theres no lack of experienced travelers in the 354th, so Airman Doran has no doubt hell be in good hands. The unit includes 13 Army and two Air Force biomedical technicians who travel the region, so much in fact, that theyve become known as the "Road Dogs." The 15-person team is responsible for maintaining equipment medics need to keep troops in the region healthy, and they travel wherever theyre needed to complete that mission.

But its a mission the Road Dogs cant complete alone, according to Army Lt. Col. Thomas Slade, commander of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center, Southwest Asia. The Center is home to the 354th and is also responsible for the medical supply line that keeps facilities throughout the region stocked with vital medical supplies. The Air Force also plays a role in that part of the mission.

"Every rotation we get a couple of medical maintenance and medical supply folks from the Air Force," the colonel explained. "The (Air Force) has been real good about it, which helps us interface because our two supply systems are different."

Colonel Slade said the Airmens impact on the centers ability to complete its mission has been significant.

"The folks [the Air Force] has provided here have been very technically competent," he said. "They are really high-quality folks; I just wish we could keep them longer."

Airman Doran appreciates the colonels compliment, but staying longer than his scheduled four-month tour is something hes hoping wont happen. He knows this deployment is a great opportunity, but hes already looking forward to returning home to his family his wife and 15-month-old son in Illinois.

Until then, he plans to proudly serve his country beside his Army counterparts, and hes optimistic that his tour will give him a wealth of opportunities some Airmen may never get. While some people may get the feeling theyre "sitting on the sidelines" and watching OIF unfold in Stars and Stripes and on cable news channels, Airman Doran said hes glad to have a chance to see it firsthand.

"I was really excited to find out Id be able to travel with the Army," he said. "Some [Airmen] have to sit [at one base] while theyre over here, but traveling helps me be in the game."

 

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