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Rock Solid Warrior

  • Published
This week's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Rock Solid Warrior comes from the 387th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Name: Airman 1st Class Andrew Wright

Unit: 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Silver Aircraft Maintenance Unit

Duty title: Aerospace Maintenance Journeyman / Crew Chief

Home station: 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force
Base, Ariz.

How do you support the mission here?
I support the mission by providing our aircrew with mission-ready EC-130H aircraft, which is a modified C-130H that protects forward-deployed Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force ground troops operating in an hostile environment. It is my duty to inspect and service the aircraft so it is ready to perform any mission on short notice.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this deployment unique?
This is my first deployment, but it has been a unique experience in that it has helped me grow as an individual, an Airman and a husband. It is the first time I have been out of the U.S., which makes it a great cultural experience.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
Back home, we conduct a lot of training missions. Out here, we're always supporting real-world missions, and you have to be prepared for them at a moment's notice. I feel that all of my training is put to good use. I am able to continue building on this squadron's legacy of years of mission success, and I feel like we are making a difference here in the AOR. Also, it is a lot hotter here than back home!