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Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Matteo Diamond

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Hehnly
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA-  This week’s Rock Solid Warrior is Senior Airman Matteo Diamond, a flightline crew chief with the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, deployed from Bradley Air National Guard Base, Conn. The Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to the mission.

What is your current job title and unit?

I am a flight line crew chief assigned to the 386 EAMXS/Blue AMU.

Which squadron and base are you deployed from?

I am with the Connecticut Air National Guard from the 103rd AMXS.

Why did you join the Air Force?

I joined the Air Force because I have always been fascinated with aviation and wanted to serve my country. From a young age, I always knew I wanted to be surrounded by airplanes in all aspects. I wanted to fix, design and fly airplanes and knew that the Air Force would give me both the experiences and opportunities to make this dream possible.

How is your deployed unit/job different from your home unit/job?

The operations, in a deployed location, are at a much quicker tempo than back home. We are flying about four times as often and 24/7 maintenance is required to ensure a quality aircraft is being delivered to the aircrew each and every day so that the mission can continue to be carried out.

What are some of your professional and personal goals?

The Air National Guard has given me the opportunity to go to college full time while also serving my country. I am currently a senior at the University of Connecticut studying Mechanical Engineering and I am looking forward to graduating in the spring of 2018. After graduation, my goal is to become a pilot in the Air National Guard while also working as a research and development aerospace engineer.

What is your favorite part of your mission here?

My favorite part of the mission is definitely seeing all the cargo getting loaded onto our aircraft that is going all over the AOR and knowing that we made the mission possible with timely and effective maintenance.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love the outdoors. I like going camping, fishing, hiking, and riding my harley. I also grew up playing sports, so I still like to shoot around a basketball and watch the Indianapolis Colts.

What are some of the challenges you face here? How do you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I have faced here is the heat. With it rolling into June, it is constantly over 110 degrees and even hotter inside the aircraft. Being from New England, you have a few 90 degree days in the middle of summer, but nothing like I have experienced over here. The biggest thing you have to do is keep drinking water and every time you go outside, bring out a couple extra bottles for your buddy.