Youngstown soldier battles extremes at coalition base in Iraq

For Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lisa L. Harris of Youngstown, life at a coalition air base in isolated southern Iraq is a struggle of extremes.

A cold, drenching rain replaces sun-baked, cracked desert conditions, making life a challenge for the men and women supporting the Air Force’s only major airfield in the southern part of the country.

Harris, ,the daughter of Lee and Verline Hale of Parker Street, is one of some 700 airmen deployed to Ali Air Base, Iraq, with missions that range from receiving and sending cargo, and airspace control to managing the MQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicle, the Predator.

Harris is a test control officer assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Services Squadron.

“A typical day for me starts with reviewing my testing list to ensure that I have the exams and answer sheets prepared for the day,” said Harris, who administers college exams to service members.

Originally named Tallil Air Base, Ali was one of the first bases coalition forces established following the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ali is the home of the 407th, along with an Army combat brigade and coalition forces from Australia and Romania.

“My mission is important because it allows service members to close out the college courses that they started at their home station,” said Harris, a 1986 Ursuline High School graduate.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.