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Senior Airman Vanessa Velez prepares for a convoy mission Feb. 10 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Airman Velez, who is a vehicle maintenance controller with the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., has driven at least 120 convoys during her 365-day deployment in Afghanistan. She is a convoy driver with the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Bronx Air(WO)man Leads Afghanistan Convoys
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (AFPN) — Regardless of what job an Airman may have, being an Airman comes first. And, as a member of the most elite Air Force in history, today’s Airman often gets the same news that Senior Airman Vanessa Velez received when she was first notified of her 365-day deployment. He or she is being deployed.
“I was told, ‘you won’t be working vehicle maintenance; you will be a driver,’” said Airman Velez, who took the news in stride. “At Fort Bragg I found out I wouldn’t be driving shuttles, distinguished visitors, or commanders around in a car or bus like I was mistakenly told at my duty station. I would be driving a fully loaded Humvee outside the wire, in enemy territory at least five times a week.”
Airman Velez recalls Lt. Col. Bobby L. Robinson, who would end up being her Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, telling the team they would be living in tents and riding outside the wire.









