In this first of two interviews, Major Tom Miner, US Air Force, talks about his deployment as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force (RAF) Regiment to Basra, Iraq, from April through July 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He discusses the differences between the US Air Force and the RAF in dealing with security of their airbases, the difficulties and opportunities afforded by the numerous contractors who worked in and around Basra, and the very real financial constraints the British forces operate under. He also talks about how he kept a very low profile to keep anyone from the mistaken impression that the British were fronting an American operation, how US forces could learn to accept more risk like the RAF, and how Air Force Security Forces need to transform to better enhance airfield survivability. Miner closes by saying that deployment as an exchange officer is a real opportunity he would recommend to anyone.

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