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Afghanistan, one Airman's story

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Afghanistan, a region plagued with ongoing contention and mistrust, has been a "hot spot" for armed conflict across the centuries.

Officially known as the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the country has experienced a continuous state of war highlighted by foreign occupation since the late 1970s. Since the U.S. led an invasion force in October 2001 to route out the Taliban, deployments have become a mainstay for the U.S. Air Force. Dedication to the service and dedication to the fight for freedom is what keeps these Airmen headstrong.

"This wasn't like any other deployment I'd ever heard of," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Toledo, 5th Communications Squadron network infrastructure technician. "The shirt told us about this deployment where we'd be deploying with the U.S. Army."

Sergeant Toledo said he began the deployment with the standard Combat Skills Training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He said the training had more of an "Iraq feel" to it, but was helpful nonetheless. He was then shipped to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. He began training on the communications systems used by the Joint Tactical Operations Center to relay messages to forward operating bases strung out across Afghanistan.

Sergeant Toledo not only learned new systems, but a new "Army" way of life. It was a way of life he would soon learn to appreciate as his deployment continued.

"They really are hard workers. It's definitely a different environment -- different culture," said the sergeant.

"It wasn't long after I completed my training and helped set things up at the JTOC that I felt like an extra body there," he said.

Soon Sergeant Toledo was reviewed for a new position even closer to "enemy" territory.

"They looked over my skill sets and decided I would better serve the AF and DoD [Department of Defense] at one of the Forward Operating Bases near the Pakistan border," said Sergeant Toledo.

He said he and another communications Airmen would switch out every three weeks at a combat outpost, or COP, high in the mountains away from the FOB.

"Not too many Airmen have the opportunity to serve at a COP," Sergeant Toledo said.

The COP was situated in a border valley surrounded by skyscraping mountain crescents and two Afghan observation posts. Spera Combat Outpost is one of few single points of U.S military presence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border deep in the heart of Taliban territory. It was here, Sergeant Toledo lived with about a dozen U.S. soldiers in a small, worn down compound. They ate, slept and fueled the flames for freedom with 20 to 30 Afghan soldiers. Their mission was to maintain and defend this piece of strategic ground from the constant threat of Taliban attack.

"Sergeant Toledo has experienced the war in Afghanistan in a way most of us never will," said Lt. Col. David McKeown, 5th CS commander. "His firsthand accounts are riveting and inspiring. He learned the importance of teamwork and decisive leadership in an environment where both make the difference between life and death. The experience has definitely made him a better person and a stronger NCO [noncommissioned officer] leader."

Experiences like those had by Sergeant Toledo are what make deployments so critical in the development of future Air Force leaders. He strengthened relations with U.S. Army and Afghan soldiers alike.

"It was great getting to know a different culture," said Sergeant Toledo.

His dedication to the service and to his mission ensured continuous, reliable communication for his comrades. Communication is paramount when ensuring the safety of an entire country, he added.

"Sergeant Toledo filled a critical need at the tip of the spear by providing communications support to Army troops operating in the forward area of battle," Colonel McKeown said. "He provided a mission essential function that the Army wasn't able to provide for themselves."

"Joint expeditionary taskings, like the one Sergeant Toledo filled in Afghanistan, in the direct line of fire of the enemy, are occurring more frequently," added Colonel McKeown.

As deployments increase in numbers and the force is reduced, Airmen are expected to see more and more combat-oriented missions.

Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, understands the important role Airmen now play in an ever-changing service, adapting and overcoming the challenges in such missions as Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The Air Force mission to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace takes a lot of effort across all of our specialties," Secretary Donley said. "This is one large team -- all working together. The leadership of the Air Force appreciates the magnitude of the commitments being made by the Airmen who serve the Air Force and we're dedicated to their service."