An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

From the Frontlines: Master Sgt. Robert Van De Hey

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Master Sgt. Robert Van De Hey was on target while training the Afghan National Army Air Corps when he was deployed from January 2009 to March 2010. He helped the ANAAC transition to self-sufficiency, teaching them weapons loading and maintenance procedures.

Deployed from the 509th Munitions Squadron, the armament section chief was assigned to the 438th Air Advisory Group and spent more than a year at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan.

"When I arrived there in, the Afghan Air Corps was in need of training on their equipment and programs in order to bring them into the modern age," he said. "We taught the air corps qualification course, which is completely U.S. led training and based closely on the U.S. Air Force training course. Armament systems consist of loading and unloading and maintenance on the aircraft weapons systems."

Sergeant Van De Hey said the overall goal was to eventually provide Afghans with the skills need to run their own programs.

"The Afghans I worked with were willing to learn the things we taught them," Sergeant Van De Hey said. "Some days were frustrating because of the language barrier, but other days were very rewarding.

"When the Afghans grasped our teachings, they were so excited because they felt a sense of accomplishment," the sergeant said. "It was also rewarding for me."

Compared to his job at Whiteman, Sergeant Van De Hey said his assignment in Kabul was different.

"I did more training over there, and I dealt with many different countries to support the war effort," he said. "At Whiteman, I manage people and provide supervision."

In addition to his deployed duties, Sergeant Van De Hey volunteered to help collect and deliver food and supplies to an Afghan orphanage.

Sergeant Van De Hey also became certified as a range safety officer and convoy commander while deployed.

Sergeant Van De Hey said the best part of his deployment was getting to see the progress the Afghans made. He said he also enjoyed meeting and working with different people on his deployment.

Though Sergeant Van De Hey enjoyed his deployment, he was ready to return home.

"I missed my wife and children and am very happy to be back," he said.