Wearing the Uniform Published Feb. 19, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Vesta M. Anderson 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- More than six months ago Airman 1st Class Justin Williams, 325th Air Control Squadron pilot simulation technician, was selected for host nationals escort duty with the 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group, Balad Air Base, Iraq. He returned, January, with his experience tucked securely in his duffle bag. "I was excited about the deployment," said Airman Williams. "I wanted to do something different and have a chance to contribute to the efforts over there." He achieved both of these goals during his deployment. In Iraq's combat zone, Airman Williams was responsible for a 10-man crew of Iraqis who were assigned a number of details on the installation. A far cry from his job at the 325th ACS, where he assists instructors by "driving" replicated radar returns in mock flying scenarios while speaking pilot lingo. "Each morning I would report to the base gate and put on my Interceptor Body Armor and Kevlar. With my weapon, I would go right outside the gate and pick up my crew," said Airman Williams. From there, his crew spent between four and six hours completing various projects such as cleaning, tearing down tents and building facilities. The remainder of his day was spent delivering pallets of water around the base. "The biggest project we had was tearing down the Air Force Theater Hospital, which consisted of a bunch of tents," said Airman Williams. "That took a month and a half. Afterwards, we cleared the site for more helicopter landing areas." During the 187-day deployment, he learned and experienced many things. The most interesting, he said, was meeting different people, learning about their cultures and learning to speak some Arabic. "I enjoyed chilling with the Iraqi guys," said Airman Williams. "We have different lifestyles - it's intriguing how much religion plays a part of that. They follow their religion so closely," he continued. "I was there during Ramadan and the guys couldn't curse, smoke, eat or even drink water during daylight hours." Airman Williams also noticed a few similarities between American and Iraqi cultures and lifestyles. "They use everyday slang just like we do, and they like American clothes," said Airman Williams. "They buy G-Unit hats," he laughed, "but they don't know whose clothing line it is." The biggest lesson learned, he said, was to not take anything for granted. "There was a day when I was out with my group of Iraqi workers and I met three new guys," he said. "The next morning there was a large explosion. One of the workers I had met the day before died in the explosion," he said. "He was only 19 years old." The explosion turned out to be a vehicle-born improvised explosive device which detonated at an Iraqi check point near the base. The event brought to light the imminent danger his workers faced on a daily basis. "This man died and had only been getting paid $400 a month to work that check point," said Airman Williams. "Moments like that forced me to recognize how fragile a life is." Since his return from the deployment, those around him have observed a change. "The deployment made him a different person, he has a different perspective on life," said Staff Sgt. Janaya McCants, Airman William's supervisor. "It allowed him to see the bigger purpose of our mission - not only that of the Air Force, but of all the military," she said. Airman Williams will be sewing on senior airman in mid-February, and plans to make a career out of the Air Force. "I'm proud to wear this uniform," he said.