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A Rock Solid Warrior: Tech. Sgt. Eric Lengle

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Tech. Sgt. Eric Lengle. He is the Desert Winds dining facility daytime shift leader with the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. The Auburn, Pennsylvania native is deployed from the 193rd Special Operations Wing, Middletown, Pennsylvania.

Q:  What is your family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A:  My grandfather was in the USN during WW2, my father is a retired E8 from the USAF/ANG, and my brother is an E6 in the 193 SOW.

Q:  What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A:  My mission here is to ensure the base populace maintains high morale through quality food selections, as well as anything necessary to complete the overall mission that we are supporting.

Q:  What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A:  The personal interaction with the customers from all branches and nationalities, as well as seeing the positive results and reactions from receiving a quality hot meal.  Also my co-workers are an exceptional group of people making the overall experience better.

Q:  What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A:  Shortages of various items on the menu and sudden influxes of troops from all branches and nationalities.   Adjusting to the fact that I am away from my family.  To overcome shortages we adjust as needed and continue with the mission to the best of our abilities.  Fortunately I can communicate with my family via skype and email, it makes the time a little easier.

Q:  How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A:  Well I am a member of the PA Air National Guard, so my job here definitely varies from the job I do at home.  At home I am a corrections officer working at a state prison.  As to compared to my guard unit it I Recently moved out of food operations and into readiness, so this experience is going to help me with that tremendously. 


Q:  How many times have you deployed?
A:  This is my first deployment.

Q:  What makes this deployment unique?
A:  It's my first so I wasn't really sure what to expect.  I have learned that having strong supportive leadership is key to a successful mission.

Q:  Why did you join the Air Force?
A:   Originally for two reasons, first my father was in the air force and secondly it was going to help pay for my schooling.

(The Rock Solid Warrior is a weekly spotlight focused on an outstanding member of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. These unsung heroes have been nominated by their unit leadership to be recognized for their efforts while deployed.)