Rock Solid Warrior

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Airman 1st Class Michael Thompson, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron fuels equipment operator, prepares to refuel a C-17 Globemaster III here July 24. The Airmen of petroleum, oil and lubricants shop provide a service which is vital to the base's mission success. From providing fuel for the C-17, to filling gas tanks of the helicopters, POL Airmen do it all. Thompson is the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's Rock Solid Warrior this week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Boutte)

Rock Solid Warrior: Airman 1st Class Michael Williamson

Published July 27, 2012
386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Rank/First & Last Name: Airman 1st Class Michael Thompson

Deployed Unit: 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Fuels

Duty Title: Off-load operator / Fuels Equipment Operator

Home unit/station: 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kan.

Family's military heritage: Brother-in-law: Senior Master Sergeant Thomas Kelly

What is your mission here? My mission here is to provide the lifeblood to the wing, and doing it with a positive outgoing attitude. My mission also includes protecting the our host nation counterparts and ensuring aircraft get fuel to deliver personnel and cargo to forward operating bases.

What are some of the best parts of your mission? Some of the best parts of my mission here are the new experiences and people that I work with, including interacting with the locals and learning new things about my job from my more experienced supervisors.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them? I would say the most challenging things I face here while doing my job, has got to be the heat and the sand storms. Being away from family is hard as well. Being able to stay in contact with them during this deployment makes it a lot easier though.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? I feel as though I have excelled both personally and professionally since being here, something different seems to happen every day here which keeps the job exciting and gives me the well rounded POL experience.

How many times have you deployed? This is my first deployment, and so far it has been a blast!

What makes this deployment unique? This deployment is unique in the way that it is my first, and also learning new things about my job as well as refining my skills on things I am already trained to do.