Photo By Tech. Sgt. Francesca Popp | Airman Nicholas Cushman, son of Gregory and Delores Cushman of South 1000 West,...... read more read more
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Tech. Sgt. Francesca Popp
407th Air Expeditionary Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq – For the son of a Williamsport, Ind., couple, life at this coalition air base in isolated southern Iraq, is a struggle of extremes. A dusty haze fills the sky, as the winds blow over the cracked-soil streets that were baked the desert sun, making life constantly a challenge for the men and women supporting the Air Force's only major airfield in the southern part of the country.
Airman Nicholas Cushman, son of Gregory and Delores Cushman of South 1000 West, Williamsport, is one of more than 700 airmen deployed to this desolate outpost with important missions that range from receiving and sending cargo, airspace control and managing the MQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicle, the Predator.
Cushman is providing fire protection services to base residents.
"We basically not only defend our country, but we protect those who defend our country," said Cushman who is 2007 graduate of Seeger Memorial High School.
"We train on specific areas of fire fighting until we get a real-world emergency. We respond to all in-flight emergencies, ground emergencies, fire emergencies, medical emergencies, vehicle emergencies, and hazardous material emergencies," said Cushman. "We do everything in our power to save million dollar aircraft and other assets to keep the mission going strong, while, at the same time, risking our own life to protect our brothers and sisters in arms."
Originally named Tallil Air Base, Ali was one of the first bases coalition forces established following the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ali is the home of the 407th Expeditionary Group, along with an Army combat brigade and coalition forces from Australia and Romania.
Cushman said his job can be challenging at times. "Aside from our job being very physically demanding, dealing with the heat of wearing the fire suit, and the extra weight of the equipment we wear, what stands out to me is that in the event of ground attack or rocket attack, while everyone else is putting on their battle gear and running to the bunkers for protection, the fire department puts on it's silver fire suits and fire helmet, to drive around the base unarmed to fight fire and treat the injured.
"If I can be responsible for making sure that one more Airman, Soldier, or what have you returns home safely to see his or her family, then that is why I come to work every day," he said.
Extreme conditions, coupled with living in a tent city where showers, dining and recreation are long walks away and the further stress of being away from family and friends, makes Cushman miss things most Americans take for granted.
"The Air Force takes good care of me. I've got all that I need to do my job while I am here," said Cushman, who has been in the Air Force for 13 months. "However, I am going to miss the upcoming holidays -- Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Not being able to spend them with my family and friends is going to be difficult, but that's the nature of my job. I am also going to miss not having snow on the ground for Christmas, watching the Cubs games, and actually having real trees and color around."
After his four-month deployment ends, Cushman looks forward to reuniting with family and friends back home at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2008 10:07 |
| Story ID: | 24676 |
| Location: | ALI BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 251 |
| Downloads: | 244 |
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