Through Airmen's Eyes: Working with TCNs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rebecca Brann
  • 6th Dental Squadron
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)

Late last year, I was tasked to deploy as an escort for third-country nationals. TCNs are civilian personnel who are utilized to help the military accomplish its mission at deployed locations.

I had just returned from leave when I was informed I would deploy. When I was first tasked, I only had a few weeks to out-process. I was slated to attend Airmen Leadership School before I deployed and then had to accomplish some training and out-processing.

When the day came for me to leave, I was both excited and nervous at the same time. This was my first deployment and I had no idea what to expect. I started the long journey and had some enjoyable times on the way to my deployment site. My first stop was in Norfolk, Va. I was very fortunate to have a stop there because my family lives close to the area. Luckily, I was able to have dinner with them and say goodbye before continuing on my journey. I then had a short stop at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and finally traveled to Southwest Asia to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.

I deployed with a large group of people. Together we were learned about our new job for the next six months: make sure there weren't any security issues among the TCNs and prevent any harm to our forces. Soon, I realized how important my job was going to be for the base. I had no idea that without TCN escorts, the construction on base would not progress and be what it is today.

Every morning we would pick up our TCNs from a specified location and bring them to the construction site. At the sites, the TCNs we escorted were constructing warehouses and buildings as well as installing safety and security devices such as fire alarms. They were also setting up fences at various locations around the base.

It was amazing to see how the workers could turn a vacant, empty field into more than 30 buildings with sidewalks and plumbing in only a few months' time.

Prior to that construction, our military members had to sleep in tents when transitioning to the base. Now they are able to enjoy hardened facilities. During my tenure, I was able to see military members take down the last tent on the base.

Without my team being there, all the construction would not have progressed as efficiently as it did. We did work long hours and some of the members of my team had ups and downs, but it caused us to really get to know one another, to bond as a resilient team and really understand how people from different backgrounds and specialties operate. We all grew very close and helped each other through the deployment like a family. I learned the true meaning of being a wingman on my deployment.

Most of the TCNs were from different countries from around the world and were there to earn money to send back to their families. Many were skilled in their jobs but didn't have the resources to go anywhere else for work. This knowledge made me realize how lucky I am to come from a country where I am given the bountiful opportunities to excel at work or in education.

So in the end, I was able to learn about other Air Force specialties, immerse myself in an exotic culture and meet new friends. It was a fantastic experience -- one I will never forget.