During the summer of 2006, I served as a Security Escort deployed to Manas AB, Kyrgystan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Along with several dozen of my fellow Air Force escorts, I checked in locals who had jobs on the base and inspected, monitored, and transported them around the base to ensure that they could do their jobs. I also made certain that they were not carrying weapons,  doing surveillance, or planning violence of any kind while on base. It was not an exciting job, with sixteen hour shifts six days a week in the 104 degree heat just watching, watching, and watching. It was, however, a very important job, as it helped to ensure the security of the service members supporting the fueling and transport missions for planes and troops between the U.S. and Afghanistan/Iraq. Escorts also have the most frequent interaction with Kyrgy locals, and often promote a positive image of Americans and the U.S. to the local economy. My escort duties lasted for four and a half months, and my experiences were challenging, life changing, and are now a proud part of my personal history and contribution to my country. Please check out my favorite photo from this collection in another of my iReports. I had to post it separately because it didn't process in this collection.