Public Employee Press

John Nicotra, Local 2627
Back from Iraq

By JANE LaTOUR

In New York City, Local 2627 Shop Steward John Nicotra works in Computer Operations for the Human Resources Administration. In another world, as Master Sergeant Nicotra of the Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing, he makes life easier for troops who face death every day.

“The jets that flew over the city five minutes after the Trade Center went down were from the 177th,” explained Mr. Nicotra, who has served in the Navy, Seabees and the Naval Reserve. On Feb. 20, he was called to active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His unit joined the 447th Air Expeditionary Unit, made up of ANG and active duty troops.

A Vietnam-era vet, Mr. Nicotra served in a combat zone for the first time this year, at the age of 56. He worked in the vast support force that kept the combat army in the field. He set up bases, hauled supplies and fed troops. In two separate locations, he supervised the dining room and directed recreation services.

For troops far from home, recreation is essential to morale. Sgt. Nicotra set up film showings, card tournaments, aerobics and a book swap. “Lots of soldiers volunteered when we had Country Music Night and a combination Hip Hop/Latino Music Night,” he said.

The sergeant also saw to the personal computer and telephone links to home — a critical connection for keeping up morale. The desert was a constant foe. He survived the region’s worst sandstorm in 16 years. “It was unbelievable. It got into everything. It was uncomfortable, but you had to find ways to work in it,” he observed. “And sometimes you just had to stop.”

Heat was another enemy. While he was stationed at the Baghdad Airport in May and June, the temperature hit 120 degrees. “That’s as high as our thermometers went,” he noted.

Master Sgt. Nicotra has a light side, too. After a heartburn attack, he wrote TV chef Emeril Lagasse: “Please send your favorite jambalaya recipe to the Defense Dept. This MRE (meals ready to eat, also known as meals rejected by everyone) was fair at best.” He signed it, “Your fan in the desert.”

John Nicotra brought home lots of photographs and too many searing memories. “The troops were very young. I’d see them in the dining room and put my kids’ faces on them,” said the father of three.

“While we had our names on our coats, the only thing on their uniforms was their blood type — no I.D. at all. These were the troops who went out on the missions every night.”