Barks back in action: Marine deployed to Persian Gulf after duty in Afghanistan
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Fresh off a mission in Afghanistan where he was deployed after the Sept. 11 attacks, Barks is currently stationed in the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Saipan. The U.S. Marine is awaiting orders to support allied troops who are quickly closing in on Baghdad.
“I will probably be called on real soon to hit the dirt,” said Barks in an e-mail sent to the Standard on Tuesday. “My job would be to help set up an airfield and then support the aircraft. My weapon will be my M16 A2 service rifle, which I have become too familiar with in the past year.
“The atmosphere on the ship is full of tension, nervousness, and anxiety. Most of them have never been out so they don’t know what they are getting into. This being my second term out here, I have a pretty good idea what to expect.”
Nervousness and anxiety have been very much a part of Barks’ life the last two years. It hasn’t been long since he was deployed to Afghanistan where he spent two months on the ground.
“Being shot at was an almost every day occurrence,” said Barks, a lance corporal who earned a Combat Action Ribbon for a firefight in January, 2002. “I had guard duty, which was guarding the front lines. I was there for Christmas and New Year’s.”
Upon returning home, Barks was able to return to his normal life. He married his sweetheart, the former Crystal Lynn Dillon, in September and the couple has a 19-month-old daughter named Jasmine. But his life on the homefront was given another jolt this Jan. 9 when Barks was deployed again, this time to the Persian Gulf. The call was especially tough because Barks’ five-year military contract was scheduled to expire in May. His contract has now been extended to Jan. 15, 2004.
“I was reluctant to tell my wife, hoping I wasn’t going to have to go right back out again,” said Barks. “I don’t think it is as bad out here as it is for our families who have to worry every day knowing we are in this kind of environment. It helps a lot to be able to e-mail our family.”
Crystal agrees the last few months have been difficult.
“It’s so stressful,” she said. “And he’s got a 19-month-old daughter at home who really misses her daddy.”
Barks admits he’s not for war, but says the anti-war protests he has seen on CNN have been bothersome. He views this war as a way to protect America.
“None of us want to be fighting anyone, but we want our families to be safe and not to have to worry about leaving our house for fear some terrorist may blow something up,” said Barks. “I know my guys just want to go get the job done and get home. I want the same thing. I just want to get this over with and get home to my wife, and my daughter, and my family whom I love and miss so much.”
Barks is a Warren County High School graduate who is the son of Helen Barks and the late Michael Barks.