Airman shares combat field experience in Afghanistan

Published May 1, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- From fixing computers to being forward deployed with the Army, a Dyess Airman serving in Afghanistan has a story to tell.

Airman 1st Class Timothy Beers, Combined/Joint Task Force 76 help desk representative, left in late September on his way to Salerno Forward Operating Base in southern Afghanistan.

Serving as the only Air Force tower guard at the forward-operating base, Airmen Beers quickly realized what it was like to be attacked by rockets and mortars.

“If you have never been through one of these attacks you’re in for an unforgettable experience,” said Airman Beers, a native of Houston. “At the time, you are scared, but excited. Your adrenaline is rushing, you’re very alert, you’re heart is beating fast, and in your mind you’re just wondering what is going to happen next.”

Airmen Beers has also gotten a chance to perform some tasks “outside the wire.”

“I went on a mission with the Army to find and dispose of unexploded ordnance,” he said. “On this mission alone, we found and disposed of more than 20 live unexploded ordnance.”

This deployment has showed Airman Beers that life can be short.

“Tomorrow isn’t promised to us,” he said. “We shouldn’t take things for granted because one day we could be here and the next day we could be gone.”

The Airman, who returns to Dyess in January, said he’s enjoyed the experience.

“I will never forget my deployment to Afghanistan,” Airman Beers said. “Not only have I been given the opportunity to work alongside the Army, but I was also given a chance to excel in my job and accomplish tasks I would have otherwise not been able to tackle.”