A better life in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  "The Afghani people want a better life in Afghanistan," said Master Sgt. Dewane Brown, Medical Embedded Training Team mentor at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. "They want a life without war and a reason to live." 

Sergeant Brown is normally assigned as the NCO-in-charge of medical logistics at the 28th Medical Group here. Currently, he's embedded with the Army operating a few miles from the Pakistan border. His duties there involve the storage and distribution of medical supplies and equipment to his host nation counterparts, as well as serving as a combat advisor to the Afghan National Army. 

Being attached to the Army is what Sergeant Brown calls a memorable and awesome learning experience in regards to how a sister service does business. 

"This is my first deployment with the Army," Sergeant Brown said. "The briefings held before we head out on any mission are mired in details when compared to a standard Air Force briefing. 

"They may take four hours for what would be a one hour power point presentation in the Air Force, but I must say these Soldiers get the job done in some of the roughest field conditions you can imagine. We've come to rely on each other a lot here and I know America is truly blessed to have this caliber of military professional in its ranks." 

He says the Afghan medical system is quite different than what one would be accustomed to finding in the U.S. 

"The Afghan system in the hospital is a paper [based] system as they're just learning to use computers," he said. "They have no e-mail and just got the Internet." 

Sergeant Brown said the advancement of technology in the region is slow but the country is making very real progress in these areas. 

For example, he recalls a "very rewarding experience" involving the case of a young Afghani child named Suliman. 

"Suliman is a young orphan boy whose dream is to walk like a normal kid again," Sergeant Brown said. "His parents were killed and he has been adopted by the Afghan National Army. The ANA hospital performed surgery on his leg and our team has played a major role in his recovery." 

Sergeant Brown said his richly gratifying job is greatly contrasted by the untamed ruggedness and dangers of Afghanistan. 

"It's a very poor country, but it's very rich in culture and tradition," he said. "The FOB I work on is located in a very mountainous region in a small town that's somewhat isolated. The terrain is rough as there are not many paved roads." 

The Afghani's haven't forgotten how they suffered under the previous regime in their nation. 

"The local nationals are a very proud people that still fear the Taliban, but want freedom for their country," Sergeant Brown said. "They are a people that live in a society where death is a reality at age 30 and war is ongoing as suicide bombers appear in schools and in the workplace regularly. 

"The Afghan people welcome change and support us even though the government is still corrupted by the Taliban that have influenced a very small portion of the people," he said. 

While there are many positive aspects of his deployment, Sergeant Brown is quick to note that he's in a dangerous part of the world. He recalled a hairy moment on the outskirts of Kabul. 

"Our up-armored humvee broke down. We had to pull security until the disabled vehicle was hooked up to be towed back [to the FOB]", he said. We were prepared for a potential ambush." 

He said his pre-deployment training kicked in like a flipped switch. 

"Holding two loaded weapons in full 'battle-rattle' and seeing a small child walking through the field really spelled reality as our eyes met across the short distance," Sergeant Brown said. "We've been taught that even small children could be packing dynamite. 

"I thank God for keeping us safe during those moments as those 30-minutes were pretty intense." 

Sergeant Brown said he knows the "Spring Offensive" or habitual fighting season, when the Taliban-supported insurgents typically try to engage coalition forces, is just around the corner. But he and the Soldiers he works with are constantly ready for anything. 

Like most deployed personnel, when Sergeant Brown isn't concentrating on his job he thinks of home. 

"I love and miss my wife Marivic and our three children very much," he said. "I can't wait to get home, put on some civilian clothes since we only wear uniforms here and just chill with my family. 

"We're doing lots of important work here, but I can't wait to be home!" 

Ellsworth's leadership said Sergeant Brown's work is one of many examples showcasing the commitment of Airmen in today's fight. 

"Our enlisted Airmen like Sergeant Brown are doing very important things downrange," said Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole, Ellsworth's Command Chief Master Sergeant. "He's a great example of our Airmen excelling in whatever environment you put them in. 

"I wish him and all our Airmen every success and a safe return home." 

Sergeant Brown is scheduled to return to Ellsworth in July.