Rock Solid Warrior: Airman 1st Class Robert Perry Published Feb. 3, 2011 SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Rock Solid Warrior comes from the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group. Name: Airman 1st Class Robert Perry Unit: 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Job: C-130 Crew Chief Home station: 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas How do you support the mission here? I direct, monitor and perform overall maintenance, servicing and documentation for my assigned aircraft to secure its safe operating condition. I also inspect and determine if aircraft have been properly prepared for flight. Teamwork with other shops is important to ensure maintenance is being completed as safely and efficiently as possible. Crew chiefs are the "jack of all trades" and assist all other aircraft maintenance job specialties with troubleshooting, whether on the ground or in-flight. I launch and recover sorties, debrief aircraft discrepancies, delegate maintenance to ensure airplanes launch and complete the mission. I also get to fly with my aircraft and provide in-flight maintenance when necessary. How many times have you deployed and what makes this deployment unique? This is my first deployment. This deployment is unique because I volunteered to extend my deployment and do a double tour because I enjoy the deployed mission. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? The difference between my job here and home station is the operations tempo since we have fewer personnel per aircraft. Here I am assigned to an aircraft and am expected to know all work that has been completed and what work still needs to be accomplished. In the deployed environment, my aircraft makes the difference in saving lives, and it is my job to ensure that my aircraft is safe and prepared to fly at all times. My efforts enable troops and cargo to get to their destination which directly affects the mission downrange.