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Former Soldier returns to Kirkuk as Airman

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNEWS) --  Sitting in the cold cargo bay of a C-17 Globemaster III, a 24-year-old Soldier about to be part of the largest paratrooper airdrop since World War II felt a lot of excitement and a little bit of fear.

The cargo doors opened and the bay was instantly filled with freezing Iraqi air. Looking through his night-vision goggles, he jumped with 1,000 paratroopers into the cold, dark night and into history March 26, 2003.

Their job was to secure an airfield in Bashur, Iraq. They would later take Kirkuk Regional Air Base. Now, four years later, Jason Al-Jehani has returned as a senior airman deployed to the 506th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron.

"When we found out our unit was going to Kirkuk, he really wanted to go," said Senior Master Sgt. Dean Firestien, the 506th LRS Air Terminal Operation Center chief. "Ever since we got him, he's been real gung-ho."

Airman Al-Jehani, then a javelin gunner and private first class, recounts the 173rd Airborne Brigade didn't know how much resistance they would receive.

"It could have been like D-Day or Market Garden," he said referring to two very different airdrops in WWII. "I was mostly worried about making a mistake before leaving the airplane."

He didn't make any mistakes, but they were all a little startled when the plane increased its altitude after the cargo doors opened.

"When we first started our jump, the aircraft was too low ... it started climbing as we were jumping out, but we didn't lose focus," he said. "It was a good combat jump."

Once they were on the ground, it was time to re-group and take accountability.

"No one was seriously injured. Only a few minor sprains," he said. "Some people landed in streams, in the middle of roads and a few were hanging from power lines. We had to wait until it was safe before we got them down."

With only pockets of resistance, they were able to secure the airfield at Bashur so airlift into the region could begin. They rallied at a prison built by Saddam Hussein's regime before moving on to another operation. About a week later, they took Kirkuk.

"We had some minor resistance in the city," he said. "By the time we got to the base, it was abandoned. There were some minor booby-traps and vehicles on the runway. We did some police action in the city by keeping order and making sure the hospital wasn't looted."

Kirkuk then became headquarters for the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division. The then Private 1st Class Al-Jehani left Iraq Feb. 12, 2004.

He separated from the Army and joined an Air Force Reserve unit at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., the 302nd Airlift Wing's 39th Aerial Port Squadron.

Returning to Kirkuk as an Airman has been interesting for the former Soldier. Some things have changed since he left and some things are still the same.

"The base is more built up ... more fortified," he said. "When we first arrived, we stayed in an old Iraqi building and then we moved into tents. Those tents are still here. The (dining facility) is the same.

"It's kind of strange," he said of not being in the Army. "A lot of stuff I have forgotten has come back. It feels good. It's a new experience now -- a different job and I'm broadening my skills."

While some have gone "blue to green," the Air Force can benefit from this Soldier going "green to blue" and the experience he brings with him, said Sergeant Firestien. 

"We are glad to have him. He is very motivated, and he gets the job done." 

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