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Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Timothy Lombardi

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This weeks 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Rock Solid Warrior comes from the 387th Air Expeditionary Group

Name: Senior Airman Timothy Lombardi

Unit: 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron

Job: Security Operations

Home Station: 341 Security Support Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Mont.

How do you support the mission here? As the Airman in charge of security operations; I am charged to ensure all security forces defenders have what they need to accomplish the mission. I review all security forces blotters, and correct all reports/statements/paperwork for accuracy. I also ensure the paperwork has all its required information, is grammatically correct and in chronological order. I then route the paper work to the proper departments for filing. I provide feedback to 387th ESFS leadership for current and upcoming policy changes. I create battle space defense plans and coordinate with security forces training to ensure we meet all requirements for the 387th AEG Integrated Defense Plan. I am also the alternate security manager, operational security manager, information security monitor, and the squadron fitness monitor.

I review monthly special security instructions for 14 posted patrols to ensure that all required information is readily available and is current with squadron, group, and wing leadership information, and is up to date with the instructions.

I coordinate any tasks that come down from security forces leadership. I personally network with more than six agencies in the group to ensure proper procedures are adhered to during/after tasks are completed.

I participate in the 387th AEG Rising 6 Council. I help coordinate fundraising events and professional development seminars to help enhance moral for Airmen and their professional career/personal growth.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this deployment unique?  This is my first deployment. I personally love, and enjoy every moment I have spent deployed.

I believe that this deployment is unique because of the size of our unit. The 387th AEG is very much like a family. We have dedicated Airmen who continually help each other accomplish the mission. I am able to learn so much information from my peers in other career fields, and we are always willing to help guide and assist each other. It is this environment that has been such a unique and rewarding experience to me.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? I work in the security forces armory back at Malmstrom AFB. I personally account for over 7.2 million dollars in weapons/equipment/ammunition. Every day I count to make sure that the weapons and ammunition are all accounted for. I do not have the luxury of seeing the sky. I am trapped behind steel bars and hardened concrete to ensure the safe storage for the lethal weapon systems.

There is not a single aircraft on Malmstrom AFB. I do not get to hear the roaring of jet engines as they scream into high gear. I do not get to watch as giants of steel lift up into the sky and soar into the "wild blue yonder, climbing high into the sun."

The deployed environment has been an eye opening experience for me. I daily watch aircraft take off loaded with critical cargo destined for the area of responsibility. I have watched as the largest movement of cargo since World War II has taken off, and I have been the security forces defender that allowed its safe travel.

I have been able to learn career fields more in-depth. I would never be able to interact with the civil engineers, emergency management, and other offices back at my home station the way I have here. I interact with them on a daily basis; I continually seek their advice and guidance as I accomplish tasks that benefit my security force defenders and the travelers of my deployed location.

The deployed experience I have gained here does not even compare to my position back at home station. I have looked forward to deploy for more than three years, and I can honestly say the five months I have spent in the desert have been the best five months, and most beneficial five months of my Air Force career. I am already looking forward to my next deployment.