Sixteen million square feet of yard work for this Airman

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington, airfield management operations NCO-in-charge, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Sather Air Base, Iraq, March 31, 2011, picks up foreign object debris, in this instance, part of a plant, and removes it from the flight line. FOD can cause serious damage to aircraft engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck/Released)

Sixteen million square feet of yard work for this Airman

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington, airfield management operations NCO-in-charge, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Sather Air Base, Iraq, March 31, 2011, drives the runway perimeter making her regular checks to ensure the airfield is safe and secure from garbage and debris. She makes her rounds at least three to four times during a 12-hour shift. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck/Released)

Sixteen million square feet of yard work for this Airman

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington, airfield management operations NCO-in-charge, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Sather Air Base, Iraq, March 31, 2011, communicates with the airfield tower. Sergeant Washington’s job is to ensure the runway is safe and secure from garbage and debris and available for aircraft conducting ongoing contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck/Released)

Sixteen million square feet of yard work for this Airman

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington, airfield management operations NCO-in-charge, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Sather Air Base, Iraq, March 31, 2011, contacts a co-worker who is elsewhere on the flight line. Her job is to ensure the airfield is safe and secure and free from garbage and debris, ready at all times for ongoing aircraft operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck/Released)

Sixteen million square feet of yard work for this Airman

Published April 4, 2011
By Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force - Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- Thousands of Airmen get up every day and head to work; however, few work in an office space out measuring the office size of the senior officer in Iraq. One Dothan, Ala., native has more than enough room to stretch her legs with 16-million square feet to patrol and 760 lights to check daily.

"I have to drive around the entire flight line three or four times during my 12-hour shift," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carla Washington, airfield management operations NCO-in-charge, 447th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron, Sather Air Base, Iraq. "I come out here more often, if it's raining, a pilot reports debris on the airfield or if there are birds or other animals near the runway."

Part of her job is to make sure the landing, take-off and taxiways are clear of any foreign object debris. FOD can cause damage to aircraft and put the lives of aircrews in danger.

One of the most dangerous situations comes from birds.

"I conduct bird aircraft strike hazard checks," said Sergeant Washington, deployed from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. "These make sure crews have a safe and sufficient airfield by scaring birds away, or removing them from the flight line and out of the path of the planes."

Sergeant Washington has found some considerably large objects on the flight line. She's removed debris like metal cans the size of large trash cans and construction worker hand tools. Any one of which could cause an aircraft mishap if ingested into a running engine.

At first glance, she's doesn't look like someone who's on her third deployment to Iraq. She completed 6-month tours in 2005 to Kirkuk Regional Air Base and 2009 at Ali Air Base with eight years of military service, Sergeant Washington is carrying the torch for her family.

"I have two uncles and a cousin who did 20-year military careers," she said. "The one who influenced me the most was my cousin who retired from the U.S. Army. He told me the good and the bad about military life and ultimately is the one who advised me to join the Air Force, if I decided to join."

The initial reason she enlisted was to get money to pay for college. However, she admits, over time, the motivation for continuing to serve has changed.

"I love what the military stands for," she exclaimed. "I love the job I do, and the many ways I contribute to helping others while deployed in Iraq and at home at Shaw."

Once a month, she volunteers with other Sather Air Base Airmen and travels to a nearby refugee camp. The area is home to displaced families who are threatened if they return to their homes outside the safety of the American-controlled Victory Base Complex, Baghdad, Iraq.

When she enters the living areas for the Iraqis, as a normal trip goes, she is immediately received by cheerful children and grateful parents. A feeling that relieves some of the stress felt by these families in a country that has experienced war and violence for much of the past four decades.

"The reason I help the families in Area Four is they didn't ask to be put in such circumstances," said Sergeant Washington describing her trips as part of the Good Neighbor Program distributing shoes, clothes and candy to displaced Iraqis. "They want the same thing as we do for our families. They want to provide for them and live in a safe environment. It's worth it to see the smiling faces."

Sergeant Washington continues her daily trips around the flight line keeping it open and secure for lifesaving medical evacuation missions, ongoing contingency operations and delivery of supplies in support of Operation New Dawn.

"Sergeant Washington brings continuity, consistency and professionalism to our team," said Master Sgt. Richard Macumber, 447 EOSS deputy airfield manager, who's a member of the New York Air National Guard, deployed from Hancock Field, Syracuse, N.Y. "The mission always flows smoothly, safely and efficiently when she's on duty."