Historian's deployment recalls memories, makes new ones

  • Published
  • By Ashley M. Wright
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
An empty desk and chair were all that first greeted the 53rd Wing historian upon his arrival to Afghanistan. More than 120 days later, he returned with a catalogue of memories that tie three different American conflicts together.

"It was an extraordinary rewarding time," Dr. Charles Merkel said. "I was impressed with the quality and caliber of personnel I was working with there."

While in Kandahar, Afghanistan, he served as historian for the newly established 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. His duties included compiling a monthly history of the unit. Dr. Merkel gathered data on the host nation, mission reports, intelligence reports and more. The case files were converted into narrative forms. Statistical data was also collected regarding flying and maintenance information.

"What the job entailed was far more than gathering data because our wing commander was very much involved with different activities," Dr. Merkel said. "[He] would permit me to go with him to various remote locations and for that I was very grateful because it made me a primary source."

Ever since the historian career field became completely civilian, there was a chance for the avid college football fan to deploy, and the student of history returned with an outlook and message. While at a luncheon, he received the opportunity to ask an Afghanistan general a question about what message the Americans should bring back to the United States.

"He went into a very long discourse comparing life before the Americans got there and after we got there," Dr. Merkel said. "The message he wanted projected was that he appreciated the sacrifices made by the Americans."

The five months in Afghanistan was Dr. Merkel's first deployment as a civilian historian; however, while on active duty, he deployed as a UH-1H Huey pilot to Vietnam.

"The differences were dramatic," he said with a laugh. "I did find out I'm not 18 anymore, [and] the Viet Cong were much more accurate than the Taliban were with their mortar rounds."

Another difference in returning from two different wars noticed by Dr. Merkel was the outpouring of support he received from the American public.

"The support was much greater than what I had in Vietnam," he said. "That is not to say the American public didn't send us things, they did. But, the amount of material we received [today] during the holidays, was overwhelming. They were killing us with kindness."

The response from church groups and school systems when he launched a campaign back in the United States to gather school supplies for the Afghanistan children was "immensely gratifying."

"I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to do something for the Afghan people," the former test pilot said. "[The people in the U.S. ] sent many boxes of supplies, which were distributed to the children. It was a wonderful thing to see these kids smile when they had things we take for granted."

The historian who has been with the 53rd Wing for only two years reached further back into history to improve the future when what he describes as an "ironic twist of fate" happened just prior to his deployment.

"I was successful in contacting a gentleman by the name of Jack Rice," Dr. Merkel said. "He was a member of the 53rd Fighter group in World War II and the Tactical Air Warfare Center in 1963. Just before I left, I did an oral history interview with him. As a result, Jack told his daughter about me."

The daughter, Cheryl Anderson, launched "Operation Kandahar," to send supplies to Afghan children.

The much-coveted crayons, pencils, candy and more were distributed to the next generation of Afghanistan leaders in backpacks.

To pay back the kindness of the American children who gave to strangers, Dr. Merkel sent a flag flown on a mission in Afghanistan to their classroom.

Always thirsting for knowledge and new experiences, the Florida State University alumnus found himself venturing outside Kandahar Air Field to observe as much of the local culture as possible.

"It was very difficult to get outside the wire because of the dangers of improvised explosive devices and those sorts of things," Dr. Merkel said. "It was a great opportunity, but it is not an opportunity that would have been offered if I had not sought it. I wanted to understand the culture, and I wanted to understand the people."

These ventures included a "ribbon-cutting" ceremony for a newly constructed bridge, Dr. Merkel said. An Afghanistan version of the ceremony involved no tape or over-sized scissors, but sacrificing two prized sheep.

Now, that his deployment and efforts are in the "history books," all the doctor is left with are the memories.

"They are all positive memories," Dr. Merkel said. "I will remember the smiles on the children's faces when they got their backpacks with their schools supplies and candy. I will remember Kandahar Air Field. I remember moon dust, which was everywhere. I will remember the trips."