Photo By Master Sgt. Andrew Lee | Senior Airman Catherine Carpenter, 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron...... read more read more
Senior Airman Andrew Lee
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs
ALI AIR BASE, Iraq
ALI AIR BASE, Iraq - Imagine cuddling the precious bundle of joy you carried in your stomach for nine months, then having to return to work following the breathtaking six weeks of bonding. With as tough as it is not being able to see your baby throughout the day, also picture coming back from maternity leave discovering you’ll be without your firstborn child for at least six months.
Senior Airman Catherine Carpenter from Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., had to feel that exact pain on her first day back to work when she found out she was tasked to deploy to Iraq.
Knowing she’s deploying with only four months to prepare, Carpenter spent as much time as she could with her husband and newborn child.
“I didn’t get to spend that much time with my family before I left,” Carpenter said. “I still had school and the training to come here. I wish I had more time.”
Deployed to Ali Air Base, Iraq, Carpenter brings her skill set to the 407th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron as a special purpose vehicle mechanic.
Recognizing the fact that she won’t be home for half a year to see her loving infant, she does as much as she can during her deployment on and off work. She became a member on the airmen’s council and volunteers for the base honor guard from the start of her mission. She also willingly helps members of the Air Force on the installation by collecting their mail and properly disseminating it to the correct owner.
“Airman Carpenter is pretty involved and participates in almost anything,” said Master Sgt. Omari Lawrence, vehicle management noncommissioned officer in charge. “She’s a top notch airman and mechanic; very self driven and motivated, she doesn’t let any job beat her.”
Three months into her first deployment, the Cavite City, Philippines, native has worked to the fullest to help her vehicle management team breeze past more than 400 vehicle maintenance jobs, ranging from an oil change to total engine repair.
“I get more stressed when I’m not working, so I don’t try to stop,” Carpenter said. “Also knowing that I’m helping people with something that is actually being used to complete their mission is a good feeling.”
On her off time, if she’s not working or volunteering, she tries hard to call or video chat with her husband and child. Sometimes when she calls, she finds out she missed another milestone in her child’s life during her deployment.
“It’s sad because so far I’ve missed her standing, crawling and saying 'dada' and I’m also going to miss her first birthday,” said the mother and mechanic.” “Even though she’ll never remember these memories, I’ll never forget them, but I am happy that I can at least communicate with my husband and my daughter, Mayumi.”
Three months left of her deployment and less and less time before she can hold her baby again, she still enjoys her job and doesn’t let her work production slide.
“I like challenges, and this job definitely provides them,” said Carpenter. “I try my best to not let jobs get past me, and making something work after its broken is fulfilling.”
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2011 07:45 |
| Story ID: | 66848 |
| Location: | ALI AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 327 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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