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Rock Solid Warrior

  • Published
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Rock Solid Warrior comes from the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group.

Name: Master Sgt. Roberto Garza

Job: 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight Chief

Home Unit: 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron; Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

How do you support the mission here?
I support the mission by managing Aerospace Ground Equipment personnel, and by inspecting, maintaining and delivering ground equipment assets for all transient and stationed aircraft. As the AGE flight chief, I ensure that equipment schedules are met and critical assets are provided. I also ensure that all programs are compliant with U.S. Central Command, U.S. Air Forces Central and Air Force standards.

How many times have you deployed, and what makes this one unique?
This is my fourth deployment overall and my second deployment to this base. When I was deployed here as a technical sergeant in 2008, I was focused strictly on maintenance and the technical aspects of my career field. Now, as a master sergeant, I am able to see how all the jobs within the unit interact with each other to accomplish our critical mission. I also look back and see how the upgrades that we started in 2008 have made a difference in my current work environment. I believe that what you accomplish today will make a difference for future rotations. Who knows? You just might come back later to see that success evolve into something much better than the way you left it.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
My job is different here because I am focused on managing more than 200 C-130 equipment assets and leading 11 personnel. At home station, I lead a B-1 Bomber AGE Team, which has numerous unique pieces of equipment for supporting the 7th Bomb Wing's mission. In this deployed environment, I have a greater appreciation for the overall mission, knowing that every sortie matters to troops on the ground.