Baghdad native returns to Iraq to help win the peace

Photo By Donald Branum | Airman 1st Class Murad Mohiadeen verifies the ID of a Soldier driving through an entry control point at the Air Force Theater Hospital here Aug. 2. Airman Mohiadeen, a native of Baghdad, was raised in the United States when his family emigrated from Iraq in 1990. Airman Mohiadeen is a security forces apprentice with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here and is deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.  

BALAD, IRAQ

08.07.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Donald Branum 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

By Staff Sgt. Don Branum
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman Mohiadeen -- "Mo" to his wingmen -- was born in Baghdad in 1988. His father, a Muslim, owned a small shoe company; his mother, a Christian, stayed home to raise him and his brother. Although their family was financially comfortable, something was missing, he said.
"They wanted freedom. There was no freedom there," he said.
His family emigrated from Iraq in 1990.
"We just wanted a new life," Airman Mohiadeen said. "Life was pretty hard when Saddam was in power."
Airman Mohiadeen's family spent two years traveling from country to country -- through Jordan, Turkey and Germany -- before finally arriving in the United States. The voyage eroded most of his family's savings, but the trip was worth the cost.
"Our family wanted freedom," Airman Mohiadeen said. "There's freedom in the United States. It was like trading money for freedom, but it would still be worth it."
He lived with his family in Los Angeles for several years and later moved to Portland, Ore. When the United States began Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003, his parents became linguists.
"When the war kicked off, my parents saw an opportunity to help out and give back to the United States," he said. "They've both been to (Joint Base) Balad, and my mom just came back from Bucca, Iraq, God bless her soul."
As a Muslim, Airman Mohiadeen is concerned by the actions of terrorists, who he believes do not act in accordance with Muslim beliefs.
"They say, 'Allah wants people dead' -- there's nothing like that written," he said. "That's not a part of the faith I grew up with."
He joined the Air Force about a year and a half ago to travel, get a college education and represent the Iraqi people.
"I wanted people to understand," he said. "I try to do good things so that when people think of me, they think better of all Iraqi people."
One of the people with whom Airman Mohiadeen has made a good impression is Maj. Scott Spiers, commander of the 332nd ESFS.
"I was out on post checks when I met Airman Mohiadeen," said Major Spiers, who is deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. "I noticed his name and asked where he was from, and he said, 'Baghdad.'"
Airman Mohiadeen shared the story of his family's journey to the United States with Major Spiers.
"I thought it was a great story," the major said. "I think it's really cool to see people who have immigrated to the United States serving their country, especially when it means coming back to their homeland."
Airman Mohiadeen is one of about 30 security forces Airmen deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, to the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here.
"He's a great man," said Airman 1st Class Arturo Rivero, a Pittsburgh native who is also deployed from RAF Lakenheath. "I didn't know him all that well back at our home station because we worked different shifts, but we've developed a good friendship since we've been over here. Deployment creates a bond between Airmen."
Airman Mohiadeen volunteers regularly as a translator at the Air Force Theater Hospital here and said he wants to cross-train to become an Arabic linguist.
"I love using my language to help people," he said. "I don't want to forget my roots -- I want to do something to help people."
"He's been a good liaison between us and local nationals, which is a great thing as we try to win hearts and minds," Major Spiers said.
The happy ending for Airman Mohiadeen's story would include peace for the people of Iraq.
"I want Iraq to be a better place," he said. "I want Iraq to have peace again."
To the Iraqi people, he added, "God bless you and stay strong."

• Date Taken: 08.07.2008
• Date Posted: 08.07.2008 11:51
• Story ID: 22230
• Location: BALAD, IQ