SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week’s Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Tommy Rowe, C-130 repair and reclamation craftsman with the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, deployed from the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona.
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?
My current job title is C-130 repair and reclamation craftsman with the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.
Which squadron and base are you deployed from?
I am deployed from the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Arizona.
Why did you join the Air Force?
I joined the Air Force for the opportunity to have a steady job and for the great entitlements.
How is your deployed unit/job different from your home unit/job?
Being in repair and reclamation at home station you tend to only focus on fixing flight control and landing gear issues that arise with the aircraft. In a deployed environment there is limited manpower so helping other career fields is a necessity for accomplishing the mission effectively. Whether it is helping a propulsion specialist with engine work or helping the production team with expediting duties, you do what is needed to get the plane fixed properly to fly safely and get the mission accomplished.
What are some of your professional and personal goals?
Professionally my short term goal is to get NCOA accomplished upon finishing up this deployment. Personally my goals are to finish up my classes to get my Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering.
What is your favorite part of your mission here?
My favorite part of the mission here is being able to fix an airplane and knowing that when it takes off it’s going to contribute to a real world mission.
What are some of your hobbies?
My hobbies are spending time with my awesome wife and kids, working out, watching and playing basketball and football, and traveling.
What are some of the challenges you face here? How do you overcome them?
The main challenge I have faced here is being apart from my wife and kids. To overcome this, I communicate back home as much as possible and also engage in conversation with others that are in the same position. Spreading positivity through the work place, asking individuals about their families at home, and hearing their stories helps relieve the stress.