“AT LEAST IT ISN’T AFGHANISTAN”: A FALSE ANALOGY, FRICTION, AND FAILURES OF LEADERSHIP DURING THE RFF DEPLOYMENT TO RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, GERMANY IN 2022

Abstract

This dissertation provides the first comprehensive examination of the lived experiences of U.S. Air Force personnel deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in 2022 as part of the Request for Forces (RFF) mission in support of Ukraine. The phrase, “At least it isn’t Afghanistan” was a false analogy said to the deployers, making light of the conditions they lived in. Utilizing oral history interviews and an interdisciplinary methodological framework, this study uncovers the underexplored dichotomy between Ramstein's reputation as a state-of-the-art military installation and the austere conditions faced by RFF deployers, who were housed in a condemned high school retrofitted as contingency lodging. Drawing on narratives collected from 24 deployed personnel and three permanent party members, this research offers novel insights into the challenges and perceptions unique to the RFF deployment. By interrogating themes of morale, mental health, communication, innovation, and identity formation, this study situates the deployment experience within the broader context of military history. Findings reveal stark disparities in living conditions, treatment, and expectations between cohorts stationed at Ramstein, underscoring a persistent “us versus them” dynamic that shaped the deployment experience. These disparities shed light on the often-neglected human dimensions of non-combat military operations, challenging assumptions about the universality of support in a premier military setting. This dissertation makes a significant contribution to military and oral history by documenting a rarely analyzed aspect of deployment: the non-combat experience. It fills a critical gap in understanding how logistical and strategic decisions impact personnel at an individual level. Furthermore, it offers actionable recommendations for improving future deployment planning and operational support, emphasizing the need for holistic strategies that prioritize the well-being of deployed personnel in non-combat environments. By drawing lessons from this microhistory, this study provides a transformative lens for rethinking military support structures and fostering more equitable deployment practices.