Vance instructor pilot shares deployment experience

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Capt. Pat Thomason, a T-6 instructor pilot assigned to the 8th Flying Training Squadron at Vance, was the fourth of five to return to Vance after a year deployed to Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. During that time Captain Thomason helped train Iraqi air force pilots as one of the 13 instructor cadre on the Coalition Air Force Training Team, and gained many new perspectives on life.

"We were all experienced flyers. Everyone was captain or above, and had at least 12-15 years of experience, so you knew we'd been around the block a few times," Captain Thomason explained. "And they preferred us to have prior instructor experience. So it's not surprising that the Vance IPs were tagged." 

In the spirit of his time at FOB Warrior, Captain Thomason has a patch on the left sleeve of his flight suit with the letters "YJCMTSU." 

"It stands for 'you just can't make this stuff up'," he laughed. "All of us there thought we'd pretty much seen it all. But so much would happen that you just didn't expect. Whether it was the students' interpretations of our instructions, or the policies that the base would implement for their own AEF rotations, or when it would rain mud, you just had to shake your head, learn from the experience, and move on." 

According to Captain Thomason, an open mind goes a long way in Iraq. 

"The worst thing you can do is go with your own idea of how everything is going to be. Then you get there and you realize that you really don't know. So it's a good idea to just stay flexible." 

The average work day began just before sun-up, and lasted for about 8-10 hours, six days a week. 

"We didn't usually work 12 hours, even though there was a lot to be done. But between the weather, the planes, or the students themselves, there was no way we could do 12 hours every day," said Captain Thomason. "You've got to realize that it was 13 of us performing the duties of an entire training squadron. We had to pace ourselves. Having that sixth work day to spread things out to really helped." 

Although being in Iraq had its own set of challenges, one of the biggest hurdles according to Captain Thomason was getting everything together to leave town in the first place. 

"Since we were the first IPs to go over with this program, it was completely different than what normally happens when you deploy." 

The instructor pilots being deployed were given a very specific list of equipment to bring, some of which the facilities at Vance did not stock. 

"A lot of special orders had to be put in so we could meet our deadlines. And even then, we had to have a lot of equipment mailed to us after we left." 

Captain Thomason advised that anyone deploying be as prepared as possible before heading out. 

"Get started as early as you can on getting what you need so you can leave town squared away," he said. 

Captain Thomason described the living situation during his deployment as fairly comfortable. FOB Warrior offered chapel facilities, a gym, a clinic, a small BX and a chow hall. 

"The food was pretty good, but the rotation really didn't change. So after a month you pretty much knew what was coming," said Captain Thomason. "Still, it was the nicest chow hall in the theater." 

Captain Thomason's personal quarters consisted of a room that was shared with three other officers. The sleeping quarters were housed inside a long metallic building with sixteen rooms like the one used by Captain Thomason.

"I was lucky with the three guys I roomed with," he explained. "When space is limited you learn kind of quickly what rubs each other the wrong way. But we were all pretty accommodating about that. Since we were all there for the year we didn't have to worry about getting anyone new in the room. And even though there were occasionally some electrical issues in the building, that was an acceptable tradeoff for not having to go outside to walk to the bathroom or shower." 

The base also had a 'wagon wheel'--a stage for performers that came to entertain the troops. The wagon wheel was also the focal point for local vendors and souvenir shops, including a Burger King and a Pizza Hut. 

Despite all the comforts that the base provided, being away from home for a year was still a trying experience. 

"The hardest part is being away from your family," said Captain Thomason. "It's something that you think about every day, especially if there are communication difficulties." 

The Internet in particular was a luxury that Captain Thomason realized most people take for granted. Phone access was also limited. 

"There are just so many things that you miss being able to do. Even if you were at home and didn't get to say much to your spouse because of work, at least what you got to say was in person. I also really missed being there to mentor my kids, or just spend time with them." 

Reuniting with his loved ones was the best part of returning from the deployment, Captain Thomason said. 

"You just realize how much you have, and appreciate it that much more because for a while you have to do without. Now that I'm back, I don't want to fall into my old routines. I want to be sure that I'm thankful for everything I have."