Valley woman’s stint in Iraq marked by climatic extremes

The Ursuline graduate is a test control officer who administers college exams to service members.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

For Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lisa L. Harris, the daughter of Lee and Verline Hale, Parker Street, 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 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.

“If I weren’t here, airmen, soldiers and civilians could not continue their educational studies or pursue degrees,” said Harris.

Extreme conditions, coupled with living in a tent city where showers, dining and recreation are long walks away and the further stress of being away from family and friends, makes Harris miss things most Americans take for granted.

After her deployment, Harris will return to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., where she is the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron’s unit training manager. Harris has also been assigned to duty stations in Sicily, South Dakota, Japan, North Carolina and England.