ROCK SOLID WARRIOR Published Dec. 24, 2009 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman John Sadowski Jr. Duty Title: Aircraft Maintenance Unit Tools Section Journeyman Home unit: 374th Maintenance Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan How do you support the mission here? In the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, I support the wing mission and my maintenance team with the essential tools, test equipment and technical orders to complete their tasks. I am the primary hazardous materials monitor for chemicals used on the flight line. My responsibilities include conducting weekly inspections and keeping appropriate levels of chemicals on hand in secure storage lockers. I'm also the Environmental/EPA Coordinator and Satellite Accumulation Point Monitor. I coordinate with the base hazardous waste section to dispose of hazardous materials as necessary. How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? What makes this a unique deployment is that it is my first one. I have been to three different bases and finally got a chance to deploy this year. I've had the opportunity to experience a lot in only a short time, such as meeting new people and learning how to run support programs. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At home station I am an Aircraft Fuel Systems Repair Journeyman. Working in the maintenance support section here is very different than what I normally do; inspecting and maintaining all our tools and equipment instead of working on aircraft. It's a great experience for me coming from a back shop to being the heart of the flight line and knowing the maintainers would have a tough time getting the maintenance done without the equipment I provide.