Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Youseff Elkassis Published Nov. 4, 2010 SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Rock Solid Warrior comes from the 386th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron. Name: Senior Airman Youseff Elkassis Unit: 386 Expeditionary Contracting Squadron Job: Contingency Contracting Officer Home station: 28th Contracting Squadron; Ellsworth Air Force Base; Rapid City, S.D. How do you support the mission here? Contracting works with on-base customers to purchase commodities and services that the military doesn't provide through normal supply channels. This makes us a force multiplier and increases mission effectiveness by securing cost-effective access to essential goods and services that would otherwise require additional manpower, time and resources to acquire. How many times have you deployed and what makes this deployment unique? This is my first deployment, and so far it has been a pretty unique experience. I enjoy having the opportunity to travel into town, interact with the local businesses and people, and experience the culture here. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? Most of the rules and regulations I have at home station also apply while I'm deployed. One major difference is that while I'm here, I get to have a more in-depth interaction with my customers. I have a hand in every step of the process, from planning, purchasing, receiving and witnessing the equipment and services being put to use. You just don't get the full experience of that when you're at home station.