Posted: 6/5/02

Peil serving in war against terror

John Dendy
Hometown News Service

The daughter of a Wyoming couple serves her country from a watery edge in the war on terror.

Her new, albeit temporary, home is a narrow tropical jungle reef in the Indian Ocean, about 1000 miles south of the southern India coast.

Air Force Senior Airman Rebecca J. Peil, daughter of Douglas and Mary Peil, Wyoming, said despite the tropical feel to the reef, this is no Margaritaville. It is more of a stationary aircraft carrier for coalition aircrews who have dropped more ordance on Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan than any other unit in the war.

ìIím very proud of my role in this mission and the overall war on terrorism,î Peil said. ìThis war is far from over. Although the sacrifice is large, I feel very proud every morning when I put my uniform on. I think all service members should stand tall because theyíre helping to protect and change the world.î

This mission of putting bombs on targets almost 4000 miles away in Afghanistan is comparable to flying from Chicago to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Success falls on the ability of bomber and aerial refueling aircraft to commute together from the tropical loading zone to Afghanistan. But it takes more than flyers to pull these missions off, Peil, a medical technician, said.

ìI care for patients and perform nursing tasks for the strike force,î she said. ìI screen patients when they come for help. On the airfield, I am the person carrying people to their plane on a litter, or preparing patients and equipment for flight. Inside the jet, I assist with in-flight patient care. If an aircraft emergency happens here, Iíll help on-scent. I can also drive an ambulance.î

Overall, job satisfaction can be high for the people helping to send the aircraft on their long journeys.

ìI always wondered what it would be like to support a real world mission,î Peil said. ìNow I knowóitís an incredible, rewarding experience. At the end of the day I know Iím helping this effort succeed by keeping people healthy.î

Peil said the challenges of this war started long before she assumed her duties on the reef. Just getting to the site was an effort in itself. The sandy ridge has no other land within 1000 miles with India to the north, Madagascar to the west, Indonesia to the east and nothing but Antartica way to the south. The only in and out is through government ships or planes.

ìMy flight here was about 28 hours long with stops in international airports along the way,î Peil said. ìThe 12-hour shifts began shortly after my arrival. Later, I went to 24-hour rotations at work. My patient load isnít too heavy at night, but Iím always busy.î

And the challenges continue during off duty time. Force members live in tentsówhich cyclones occasionally threaten to throw into the seaóor on a merchant ship that leaves residents with sea legs once they get back on shore.

Still, this spectacular location east of equatorial Africaówhere a 30-minute bus tour can show the entire locationóholds elements of a vacationerís dream. Thereís tropical windsurfing and fishing for 200-pound marlin, and while itís no Pebble beach, playing the 9-hole golf course if freeóand a hoot to do with no shoes on. And the sea is so warm, snorklers can wade in and play tourist with thousands of brilliantly colored tropical fish.

Still, many airmen harbor bittersweet sentiments about enjoying good times on a pristine tropical beach without their familyóand in times of uncertainty in America. They all arrived dressed for war, not sun and surf. Playing tourist in paradise doesnít feel right to some, so they turn to churches, or call home for support.

ìThe best thing is meeting new people, and the worst thing is becoming accustomed to living in the field,î Peil said. ìIím getting married in August, so by being here, I am missing out on planning my own wedding. I also miss my co-workers at my home station in Florida. I call home two or three times a week, a try to email home every day.î

Although there may be better and also worse places to serve in the war on terrorism, Peil said she knows none of them pack quite the punch as a Margaritaville with bombs.

Top of Page