From The Frontlines, Senior Airman Stephanie Holt

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Montse Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  While some may think that the most difficult part of being in combat is dodging bullets, for one Airman, the most difficult part was leaving her then eight-month-old daughter - but it was a sacrifice that had to be made.

Senior Airman Stephanie A. Holt, a vehicle operator and dispatcher recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Camp Arijan, Kuwait, as part of the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"This was my first deployment," said Airman Holt. "It was an awakening experience. I learned not to take everyday life for granted, and that we really do have it pretty easy at home.

"Whether you are 18 or 30, a deployment will make you grow and mature even when you thought you were already grown and matured," said Airman Holt.

As part of the 586th ELRS, she drove armored trucks on line hauls through Kuwait and Iraq, in convoys of up to 40 trucks at a time.

"My position was driver, as well as assistant radio transmitter officer," said Airman Holt. "We kept all of our radios functional to stay in contact with the rest of the convoy, for security purposes."

While deployed, Airman Holt found comfort in knowing she had one mission to accomplish. She was responsible for transporting various types of cargo ranging from base supplies, vehicles and ammunition.

Coming home to see Ellie, her now two-year-old daughter, motivated her throughout the deployment.

"I missed her dearly," said the single mother. "We are lucky in our day and age, because I was able to make video calls to my parent's house, where she stayed, to see her."

Despite being away from Ellie and driving long spans of time in the hot Iraqi desert at all hours of the night, Airman Holt said she served proudly.

"The best part about my job was getting to be out on the road," said Airman Holt. "Seeing all those trucks in a line traveling down the road made me feel like I was really doing something worthwhile."