Face that has seen it all

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Dickey, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, is currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. Dickey has deployed five times in Support of Operatin Enduring Freedon and Operation Iraqi Freedon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)

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Staff Sgt. Joshua Dickey, Joint Terminal Attack Controller assigned to Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, talks to aircraft as his unit receives direct enemy fire (tracer rounds shown), Oct. 9, 2011 in Sping Boldak, Afghanistan. Dickey's units received zero casualties. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Salanitri)

Casa Grande native deploys to Afghanistan

Published Oct. 19, 2011
By Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
U.S. Air Forces Central Command Combat Correspondent

FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Afghanistan -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Dickey, a joint terminal attack controller, is currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. Dickey, who calls Casa Grande, Ariz., home, is on his fifth deployment since joining the Air Force 10 years ago. Stateside, Dickey is assigned to Det. 1, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft. Wayne-Wright, Alaska.

During his 11 month deployment, Dickey has enjoyed his duties here.

"I love how my job lets me change the Army's opinion about the Air Force," said Dickey, who's only one of a handful of Airmen at his loction. "When we hit the ground on a mission, we're hauling (tail) so we're in the front. I'm Air Force, he's Army -- if I do one thing wrong, I'm going to get judged. We're always trying to do things better. If we're rucking, we're up in the front. You're the one setting the pace."

Tactical air control party members provide assistance and expertise in planning and controlling combat air resources. They also operate and supervise communication nets to support Army ground maneuvers.