Chief: My Journey Thru Iraq at the Peak of War

Scott H. Dearduff

Overview: CMSgt Scott Dearduff (ret) describes in vivid detail his deployment to Balad Air Base in Iraq as part of the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) from July 2006 – July 2007. Chief Dearduff was the Command Chief Master Sergeant supporting the commander, Brigadier General Robin Rand. Together they were responsible for 8,000 Airmen serving in more than 50 locations. The 332d’s rich history dates back to the famed Tuskegee Airmen who flew the P-51 “Red Tails” in World War II. The 332d exemplary legacy continued in Iraq with the Chief candidly relaying combat operations as he struggled between love of family and love of nation.

• In Chapter 1, Chief Dearduff described the conflict between the immense responsibility he had learning about all aspects of the mission and how this left little time to reflect on his family back home. He related how this started to eat away at him day-by-day.
  • What are some ways to achieve a balance between responsibilities on the home front with those being deployed?
  • What support structures exist for families with a deployed Airman?
  • What support mechanisms are available for Airman to cope in the combat environment?
• In Chapter 4, Chief Dearduff described how the strong leadership of Colonel Jackson helped an Airmen deal with a loss of a combat brother. Col Jackson explained that ‘we will remember his service, mourn his sacrifice, and keep his family in mind. Then tomorrow we will patrol those same streets where he was killed because if it was important enough for him to give his life, then it is important enough for us to try again.‘
  • We describe leaders as people-oriented or mission/task-oriented. How would you characterize Col Jackson’s approach and was it effective?
  • During his deployment and despite the combat hospital’s phenomenal 96% survival rate for wounded warriors, Chief Dearduff lived through 13 combat deaths. How did he lead the AEW to cope with the losses of its fellow Airmen?
  • The Chief promised himself to bring everyone back home safely. Was that a realistic expectation in a combat environment? Did that expectation create too much emotional turmoil within the Chief?
• In Chapter 8, Chief Dearduff explained his goal to re-inforce standards around the AEW. He discussed how he stopped two Airmen from the medical group immunizations section who were not complying with PT uniform standards. He said, “…if you knew the standards for wearing the uniform but chose not to follow them, how do I know that you will follow the standards at the immunization clinic when I come for my next vaccination?”
  • Why might there be a tendency for Airman to let standards slip while in a deployed environment?
  • Why did the Chief focus on the unpopular action of enforcing even the smallest infraction of Air Force standards during the chaos of the combat environment?
• In Chapter 10, Chief Dearduff discussed how the emotional and physical stress of the combat environment, to include his poor eating habits and lack of physical training, caused a steady decline in his health.
  • What are some actions you can take in the deployed environment to maintain a positive mental attitude?
  • What are some ways to balance good nutrition and exercise during the unpredictable wartime environment, especially during extended deployments?
• In Chapter 14, Chief Dearduff explained that his mid-tour R & R trip home revealed how much stress he was under. Even though he was with family and friends, he admitted that his attitude was horrible and his actions were worse. He confessed that he had no tolerance for anyone or anything they did. Mentally, the Chief had not left his AEW team in Iraq.
  • How can the Airmen and their families prepare for the difficulties of being re-introduced into peacetime operations?
  • The Chief recognized that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was a serious problem. What capabilities does the Air Force community provide to help those who suffer with PTSD?
• In Chapter 17, Chief Dearduff wondered what Air Force families were dealing with or how they coped with life after a loss of a loved one. He wondered about what answers could ever be given to those families when he had the chance to meet them face-to-face.
  • What training does the Air Force provide its Airmen who must interact with family members suffering a loss of a love one?
  • The Chief admired General Rand and Command Sergeant Major Mellinger (Army) for their ability to say they right thing and provide the right care to grieving families. What did they do that made them so effective?