European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 07, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                .v-feo61 it of 1 of a a i. It troops do a Cool Job amid Somalia s heat and poverty Dorothee Johnson the difference Between Somalia and other deployments is not the drastic change i culture climate and scenery. We have done that before. It is the Lack of a enemy in what is nevertheless a hostile situation. As we participate in this humanitarian Mission in a Lawless country ravaged by civil War our armed forces Are experiencing a new kind of deploy ment. Instead of military missions designed to defeat the enemy we find ourselves working closely with coalition forces to provide Basic Staples for survival to others in a desperate situation. I recently visited Somalia in order to set up Uso services for our troops. For those of us with loved ones in the area an insight into life there May make the wait until they come Homp More bearable. The uniqueness of this deployment was evident As soon As i arrived at the Airport in Mogadishu. At 9 30 in the morning it was already a stifling 85 de Grees. Upon first notice the scenery seems relatively Normal from the Airfield you notice a Row of build Ings. The paint is Chipping and it is Dusty. This is not unusual for Middle Eastern african countries. Behind the Airport buildings White houses line the Hilly terrain. On the other Side is a Beautiful View of the Indian Ocean Complete with five or six Navy boats on the horizon. But a closer look will reveal that the buildings Are Mere shells stripped of All electrical wires and plumbing. Windows and doors arc virtually non exis tent. The Airport is surrounded by barbed wire and a Wall. Checkpoints Are strategically placed along the perimeter. There is a junk Yard on the Northern Side of the Airport Complete with rusted looted russian Mig jets and Small Cessna air planes. Tent cities Are set up around the runway and Airfield. The Airport is Home to contingents from the four . Services As Well As Many of the coalition forces. All military personnel live and work on guarded compounds secured by Walls and or barbed wire. There arc several compounds in Mogadishu at the old . Embassy the stadium old warehouses Etc. Operational bases Are also set up in Bairoa Beli Dolc Bard Cra Kismay to name a few towns. Believe it or not the easiest Way to travel in this part of Africa is via air. Almost All of these places have a runway if nothing else. The roads Are in Terri ble condition. Our engineers Are working every Day to make them passable. This Means Clearing them of land mines laying Asphalt and building Bridges travel via Road is strenuous at Best. All travel from one compound to another is restricted to the Daylight hours which Range from 6 . To 6 30 . At All times vehicles must travel inti Convoy and each vehicle is manned with at least three armed guards. As soon As we pass the Gate at the Airport weapons Are loaded. Everyone is wearing a flak Vest and helmet. Vehicles used Are mainly humvee 2 w ton trucks and pickup trucks. Upon leaving the compound i immediately notice the somalis Many of them lining the streets. Most of them will wave at the Convoy going by As children run alongside the vehicles. Those quaint White houses so picturesque from the Airport turn out Tobe in terrible condition most of them uninhabited. But the people Are smiling and there is food in the City. This was not the Case in Early december when our first marines arrived. Now As we pass the marketplace we see watermelons mangos bananas and figs. Slabs of meat hang from the huts covered with flies. Everything is covered with Flics. After a few hours you Don t even Brush them aside any More. The mosquitoes on the other hand Are not As bad As i expected. During my Cross country travels i noticed herds of cattle herds of camels and the occasional stray cat. There arc insects but nothing worse than what you d normally find in that climate. The most shocking revelation is the Lack of infrastructure in Somalia. There Are no Banks no schools no police no stores no electricity no phone lines. People Mill in the streets with no real sense of Pur pose. 1 got the impression nobody has a Job life is an endless Stream of loitering bargaining and bartering. But we Are making a difference. The feeding Cen ters report a drastic decline in deaths from starvation. The population that has fled the City is slowly returning. Somalis generally Friendly and fond of americans reach out with stacks of worthless somali shillings they know we want them As souvenirs. Some somalis Are getting jobs with Brown & Root the government contractor. Brown & Root is the largest employer in the country. Daily life on the compounds is dreary at times but our service members have an amazing Talent for Mak ing the Best of any situation. I saw furniture built out of Are boxes to include dressers with drawers. Those Lucky enough to find plywood build benches tables shelves. Ethan Allen would be jealous. Most people Are housed in tents. Sleeping is Best done with earplugs since the generators our Only source of electricity make constant noise. Res Are the main Staple. Almost everyone is also getting one hot to ration meal a Day. Most compounds have Shower facilities. To de scribe the various latrines Heads toilets would take up an entire Book. Suffice it to say it is an experience not soon forgotten. Professionally Pur troops Are challenged and sex. Cited to be doing their jobs the Way they were trained to. Pilots Are flying mechanics Are fixing engineers Are building. I be been told that it is a rewarding work environment for most. The Uso and local Mars Are doing everything humanly possible to provide recreational activities. Televisions and Vars have been shipped to most of the outposts along with movies and the latest sport ing events. Books magazines and games Are being distributed. Sometimes daily newspapers Are Avail Able Usa today and the stars and stripes Are passed around eagerly even if they Are five Days old. Other favorite pastimes include trading res with coalition troops. Do you want French italian or turkish tonight however they Are not nearly As eager for our res. Volleyball is becoming popular As you can play it almost everywhere. Hot meals taking malaria pills and Shower times become highlights of every Day along with the Opportunity to watch the Sun go Down on what is a Beautiful country. As soon As the Sun sets the temperature is pleasant. A Breeze blows and it  perfect time to sit outside and meet people from different branches of service and countries. We Are Lucky. Lucky to live in peace Lucky to have so Many opportunities Lucky to live in democracy. Thanks to such a dedicated and professional Mili tary. Our. Troops Are providing a valuable service and they deserve our support. We want them to come Home soon. / in the meantime we Are proud of the contribution they Are  Dorothea Johnson works in Frankfurt Germany As the United service organizations regional executive Lor Europe and the Middle East. Send in your column plus a photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo 09211 or Postrach 1114 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Opening laugh Sustr Usa i heard our song in an elevator  contents from the cover. 4-7 the comeback crowd. 07 remembering Thurgood Marshall Clarence Page and Andy Rooney on the Gay Issue.  Bombeck s advice to Madonna. In tune Oscar nominations on target. This week s films Chuck Emch High on Aladdin cafes circuit listings. 12-13 television listings 14-17 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home entertainment 18 to Money needs m o depth. Voices 21 Linda Ellerbe on rep. Mezi Insky s Job switch. Of wll Tony Konheiser swoons into los Angeles. Nick Bantock the Man behind Sabine s letters. On Parade searching for Oscar fashion.2728 Dave Barry flunks Bill Clinton. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor. Buck Fox Art direction Susan p. Harris production Mon Trice Presley Denise Adams editorial assistance Louis d. Pierce Page 2 sunday february 7. 1993