Years ago, Air Force Sergeant Wayne Ince, an expert in military communication, found himself in a sticky situation in the Haitian mountains during Operation Uphold Democracy. The United States sent the military to Haiti to assist President Aristide in regaining his elected position after a military coup. America used diplomacy to have the dictator step down.
This is my story.
I was hiding and trying to avoid the Haitian rebels, and my heart was racing with fear and determination as I made my way through the dangerous terrain. My job was to assist the US Army in-country with radio communication support that included forward deployed forces protecting local villagers from roaming insurgents supporting the military dictator. 
I knew the dangers were there. I knew the rebels were ruthless and had a powerful grip on the area. But, I kept sight of the goal - to set up radio communication with the US Army guys who were setting up watch posts. It ensures safety for all of us, including the locals. I repeated the phrase, “Stay on the mission,” and the Lord’s prayer.
The bushes helped hide us, but they made it hard to move fast. You sweat from your nose and neck when the sun is out. My heart races as I freeze whenever I heard a twig snap beneath my boots. My vulnerability intensified because of the silence of standing still. Forward deployed radiomen are often alone, but it never gets easier to deal with the anxiety.
Anxiety increased throughout the day. I felt my thoughts scatter and realized time was running out. If we didn’t communicate fast, the rebels could find me and tell others that the US was here to protect the villages. Thanks to my training and experience, I can stay alert and remind myself to calm down.
I caught sight of a distant flickering light through the dense trees. Intrigued yet cautious, I approached the source, only to find a small, hidden encampment of local villagers who had escaped the wrath of the opposition rebels. Villagers saw my fear and understood the possible presence of insurgents.
Their wise elder leader stepped forward and offered me a resting place within their community. We shared a common belief in standing against the military coup’s government oppression. This common determination resonated with me, strengthening my resolve to continue and stay on the mission.
The friendly locals greeted me as I visited the quaint village wearing my military gear. I shared my water and rations. Rebels patrolled the area, making me anxious, and I had to stay on high alert. The villagers’ calm and support helped me push through. They knew the community and surrounding area better than me.
As nightfall settled on the day, I established radio contact with the US Army forces. Relief washed over me as the familiar voices of my Army colleagues came through the airwaves. The news of my location and village encampment flowed to the support-base, and recovery was inevitable.
A US Army patrol parked a few kilometers away in a vehicle tackled the challenging terrain of the dense forest hill using their intellect and determination. When they arrived, my distressing jungle ordeal ended. Adapting and overcoming are part of the territory. The villagers got ready quickly when their Army escort, who acted as their guardian angel, emerged, grateful for their safety.
I placed the Army Navy Personal Radio Communication (AN/PRC) radio man pack in the second vehicle and thanked the helpful villagers. The compassion they showed left a lasting impression on my heart and reinforced my belief in the innate goodness of people. Some of the island’s inhabitants did not welcome the US military, government, and.
Returning to the base camp, I became a living testament to my self-enduring human spirit and the power of joint operations. The team established a forward operating and listening post to ensure mission success. I shared my story with other US Army team members and later my Air Force deployment command. The experience reminded me of resilience’s importance, the need for training, and never losing hope, even in the darkest times. They joked about me getting lost and needing the Army to rescue me. But I took the ribbing well as they had requested my expertise in morse code and tactical radio.
The bond between the US Army and Haitian Villagers got better. The military presence made us feel more secure and gave us the courage to fight back against danger. A tiny victory against hardship made me realize that determination and courage can conquer anything, with a bit of luck.
Fear and determination were critical factors in my actions during that risky situation. The fear made me focus on the situation while my self-motivation made me take action rather than just sit back and wait for something to happen. Even though I had a lot of challenges and threats to deal with, I was determined to face my fears and overcome them. The sound of frantic heartbeats and breaths is a reminder that life is better than anything else. I transformed my fear into the motivation to aid the Haitian villagers.
My military background and self-awareness sometimes make me feel isolated, even in a sizeable crowd. Vets who’ve gone through the same thing might know how it feels to be cut off from family, coworkers, and friends. Military experiences can shape who you become. Going through this might cause long-lasting PTSD and affect those close to you.
Fear drove me to analyze the situation and grasp the dangers. The endorsement of fear would enable me to make informed decisions for the safety of my team and the Haitian community. My determination forced me to think, move through the bush and find alternative solutions to establish communication, even in the face of limited resources.
Stay Ready - No Need to Get Ready!
My anxiety and determination made me face my fears, think things through, and finish a communication task. With determination, I overcame obstacles and made a lasting impact on the Haitian villagers’ lives. I got an Army Achievement medal for my service during Operation Uphold Democracy. A framed placard in my closet reminds me to keep going, face my fears, and fight PTSD.