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Rock Solid Warrior: Airman 1st Class Donald Moran

  • Published
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Rank/First & Last Name: Airman 1st Class Donald Moran

Deployed Unit: 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

Duty Title: Security Forces Member

Home unit/station: 88th Security Forces Squadron, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio 

What is your mission here? My mission is to protect all personnel and resources at this forward operating location. This includes ensuring only authorized personnel enter and exit the base, responding to alarms, searching vehicles, and providing perimeter security.

What are some of the best parts of your mission? The best part of our mission is that the security we provide allows everyone else on the base to complete their missions without the worry of outside threats to them. I take great pride in knowing that we are protecting everyone and everything and that nothing will interrupt the overall mission.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them? Some of the challenges I face are working outside in harsh conditions such as sandstorms and extreme heat. I overcome them by working as a team with all my other wingmen, keeping hydrated and utilizing the gear provided to me. Thinking of all the other people counting on me helps motivate me and gets me through each day.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At my home station the primary mission there is law enforcement. Here the primary mission is base security.

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

What makes this deployment unique? This is my first deployment and there aren't a lot of people who work on this base so I get to know everyone.

Why did you join the Air Force? Before the Air Force I worked three jobs: a manager for Sprint, a lifeguard at an indoor pool, as well as a lifeguard at the beach. I got tired of working three different jobs at once. I just wanted one steady job with good income and great benefits. At that point I decided I wanted to join the military. My best friend told me he was joining the Army so I decided why not join with him. When my family found out they talked me out of it. After that I started talking to an Air Force recruiter and the rest was history.