Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Marilyn Ballester Published Feb. 11, 2011 SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Rock Solid Warrior comes from the 386th Expeditionary Mission Support Group Name: Senior Airman Marilyn Ballester Unit: 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Duty Title: Logistics Planner Home unit/station: 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy How do you support the mission here? As the deployments logistics planner, I plan, coordinate and execute the mission of redeploying all 386th AEW and tenant units' personnel. How many times have you deployed and what makes this deployment unique? This is my first deployment. What I found unique about this deployment is the high-ops tempo coupled by a diverse work background from Airmen whom I work with on a daily basis. As I first arrived to the 386th ELRS, the high ops tempo of the redeployment process demanded me to learn my responsibilities expediently. I realized that being a logistics planner, I play a vital role in executing the mission to redeploy personnel back to home station. As the deployment logistics planner, not only do I make sure that travel manifest is accomplished for a mission but, I, along with my fellow "loggies" have to process each passenger through the passenger terminal. This requires being able to coordinate with all units who play a role in the redeployment process and, at the same time, continue to manage the program. In order to do this in an effective and efficient manner, I have to execute strict, yet, consistent, attention to detail when it comes to building manifests and other tools related to my job specialty. This demands me to think on my feet and critically analyze travel data; when a decision is made, I make sure I follow Air Force instructions and guidance. It is such an amazing experience to work with a diverse team, a myriad of various career fields which includes vehicle operations, personnel support for contingency operations, traffic management organization, and LNOs that ensure mission success. During execution mode, we, as a team, also perform pre-clearance customs inspections, making sure that all members do not possess any contraband according to U.S. Customs regulations. Together, we work as a competent team by planning for challenges that arise and communicating vital information effectively to one another ensuring that every Airman is on point with the redeployment process. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? Here, my deployment differs from my home station, Aviano, because I have been trained on systems for the redeployment process that I haven't used before. I've had the opportunity to learn and take part in the redeployment process.