From the Frontlines: Tech. Sgt. Erin Connolly

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Exposed to an array of environmental health spectrums, Tech. Sgt. Erin Connolly, 509th Medical Operations Squadron bioenvironmental technician, stepped-up and finished out a fellow Airman's deployment.

She returned in January from a three-month deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, where she worked as a bioenvironmental engineering technician. Sergeant Connolly was responsible for identifying, assessing and controlling potential hazards on base.

"My job in the deployed location was more focused on potential terrorist attacks and threats," said Sergeant Connolly. "The potential hazards I assessed and controlled included: industrial, environmental, radiological and emergency response."

Sergeant Connolly said she did a lot of sampling for biological and chemical agents in different areas of the base, to include: bottled water, the dining facilities and any other place where the potential to spread havoc throughout the base existed.

"Health was one of my main priorities for the active-duty members, Reservists and the Department of Defense employees there," Sergeant Connolly said. "If I didn't do my job, the mission could have come to a standstill. Without a healthy team, they are unable to perform their job to the best of their ability."

During her deployment, Sergeant Connolly also had the opportunity to work with other branches of the military.

"I worked with the Army's Preventive Medicine Team, which is the Army's military occupational specialties for my job in the Air Force, on a daily basis," the sergeant said. "It was quite interesting to see how the Army operates compared to the Air Force, although we all have the same mission out there."

According to Sergeant Connolly, she also enjoyed seeing other aspects of her career field in effect.

"I loved having the chance to implement what I learned at Whiteman in a real-world situation," she said. "The training I received here was a valuable tool because we practice all the time."

In addition to Sergeant Connolly's assistance in protecting the health of U.S. forces, she sustained a list of volunteer activities. She participated in the base's bird aircraft strike hazard prevention program, helped during Iraqi Kids' Day and Iraqi Girls Day celebrations and volunteered in the hospital emergency room.

"It was very exciting and rewarding," she said.

Although Sergeant Connolly enjoyed her deployment, she missed her husband, Staff Sgt. Warren Connolly, and her son, Jovan.

"Although my husband understands I had to leave, trying to explain to a 2-year-old mommy wasn't going to be home to tuck him in at night for a while, really hit me hard," she said.

Overall, Sergeant Connolly said being deployed was an experience she feels every servicemember should encounter during their career.

"It gave me a different sense of pride to be part of the military and my country," she said.