ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The dreams of visiting family back home in Georgia and a meal at her favorite restaurant are within sight for Team Andrews 316th Force Support Squadron unit deployment manager Staff Sgt. Peaches Parker.
Sergeant Parker is deployed to Sather Air Base, Baghdad International Airport, and is the 447th Air Expeditionary Group Protocol NCO in charge. With a mere three weeks left on her four-month deployment, Sergeant Parker is determined to forge a path at Sather and make a difference in her own way.
"One of the biggest obstacles we wanted to overcome as soon as we arrived was to make the lives of our replacements as simple and effortless as possible," Sergeant Parker said. "A lesson learned would be for each rotation to challenge themselves to make wherever they are better than when they arrived."
People are beginning to notice, including the Air Force Central Command Protocol director.
"Cynthia Rambo visited our office here in Baghdad recently was very impressed with the turnaround that our three-man team had constructed in such a short time," Sergeant Parker said. "Just hearing her express sincere gratitude and appreciation over our accomplishments was a great moment and a memorable day for our team."
Sergeant Parker's efforts were further recognized recently by Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, when he coined her for her performance in the protocol arena.
The mission of the 447th Protocol office is to ensure that each and every distinguished visitor that visits Sather AB is given a red carpet greeting. Sergeant Parker's role is to finalize flying schedules and handle manifests of DVs; brigadier general or equivalent and above. Sather sees more DVs and passengers than any other base in Iraq, and averages 300 to 400 DVs per month.
"We make sure that each and every DV or VIP who visits here is given the upmost treatment - whether it is something as simple as saluting the plane, or putting together an itinerary for a visit, ensuring that we extend the greatest hospitality to each and every person is what we strive to do," Sergeant Parker said.
Among the DVs Sergeant Parker has met include the ambassadors to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and the Republic of Yemen.
"I have met generals and key leaders from all over in different positions of multinational command in Iraq, such as the deputy commanding general, the United Nations secretary general and different U.S. congressional and embassy members," Sergeant Parker said.
The deployed 316 FSS member notes that the ops tempo is fast-paced, no two days are alike and everyone's role fits together like a piece of a puzzle.
"There is no inactive day," Sergeant Parker said. "It's amazing to me how each job ultimately ties into another in order to accomplish the mission. I have become more skilled at networking, dealing with other nationalities and high dignitaries at all levels. You never know whom you are interacting with, so you have to stay vigilant and on your toes at all times."
Though Sergeant Parker has had previous deployment experience having been deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, there were some pleasant surprises at being deployed to BIAP.
"Every deployment is different," Sergeant Parker said. "The quality of life here was unanticipated. We live in hardened facilities with only one roommate. I deal with a lot of aircrew and pilots that are flying throughout the [area of responsibility] and they agree that Sather AB has an outstanding reputation and they love stopping at BIAP. The 447th has a motto, 'follow me to BIAP' and I think it's quite fitting," Sergeant Parker said.
Reflecting on her deployment, Sergeant Parker hopes to leave a legacy of sorts.
"There are always lessons learned - whether good or bad - to take back to home station," Sergeant Parker said. "You prepare and practice at home station, train and convey what you have gauged down range. Each Airman should transport back his or her own experiences in order to help the next Airman out. I can only deliver feedback and hope that it's used as accurately as possible to help alleviate problems in the future deployments of our Air Force."
"We, as a total force, accomplish the 447 AEG mission in an outstanding manner, make sure that each Airman returns home safely to their families with honor and dignity and leave Sather AB better for future rotations to come," she said.