From the Front Lines: Senior Airman Kristin P. Campbell

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody H Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. --  A casual driver might fear traffic, over-priced gas or at worse, the occasional cut-off. A convoy driver has Improvised Explosive Devices, ambushes and numerous other obstacles to overcome. Through training and experience down-range, Airmen learn to deal with many possible scenarios.

Senior Airman Kristin P. Campbell, 509th Logistic Readiness Squadron, vehicle operator dispatcher who is currently deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, conquers new obstacles every mission.

She departed in January for the Basic Combat Convoy Course, also known as BC3, at Camp Anderson-Peters in Camp Bullis, Texas where vehicle operators and maintainers are taught a variety of skills preparing them for future convoys.

The 30-day BC3 instructs Airmen the basic information on battle drills, casualty evacuation, medical evacuation, weapons training, combat life savers, rules of engagement, land navigation, encrypted communications systems and convoy personnel roles.

Throughout the deployment-like simulation training course, Airmen live in tents and sleep on cotts. The water for showering was trucked in, Johnny-on-the-spots were used for restrooms and Meals, Ready-to-eat replaced traditional food.

A majority of the training was line-haul missions, or getting supplies to where they were needed. The convoys would be struck by an IED or Explosive Formed Penetrator during these missions. The Airmen would then provide security for the injured, while others practiced CASEVAC.

"We would physically pull the 'wounded' from the vehicle and bring them to a safe landing zone for MEDEVAC," said Airman Campbell.

Thanks to the extensive training, Airman Campbell has been the Lead Vehicle Commander on multiple missions.

"The LVC is responsible for knowing the routes and spotting any threat or danger to the convoy," said Airman Campbell.

"It's not surpising," said Tech. Sgt. John Leach, 509th LRS, vehicle operations supervisor. "She does a lot of extra work around the shop and is always looking for something to do. She could be in a majority of convoy leadership posistions."

The difference between her Whiteman operations and deployed operations are immense. Her responsibility here is providing customer service needs which consist of maintaining vehicle serviceability, delivering parts and vehicles to customers, wreck operations, tractor-trailor and forklift support, issuing government licenses, etc.

"My main duty this deployment is working with my team to ensure cargo delivery safely, when and where it is needed," said Airman Campbell.

Her team here at Whiteman is confident that she will continue her history of good works.

"Anything you give her gets done," said Mark Haywood, 509th LRS, distribution section manager. "She goes above and beyond your expectations."

Prior to her deployment she helped save more than 100 lives with her assistance to Airman Against Drunk Driving. She was nominated for the 2010 American Legion Spirit of Service Award for her help along with many other volunteer events.

"I want to better myself and the environment in which I live in any way I can," she said.