ROCK SOLID WARRIOR Published Dec. 2, 2009 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Timothy Hatcher Duty Title: EC-130 Hercules Crew Chief Home Unit: 755th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. How do you support the mission here? I support the mission by performing maintenance on EC-130H Compass Call aircraft. As a flight line expediter and lead technician for general aircraft systems, I oversee all facets of aircraft servicing, inspection and maintenance. I ensure all work is accomplished to the highest standards to provide the safest, best quality combat platform for our aircrews. How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my first time deploying here. I've deployed three times to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Duty here is further from actual combat than in Afghanistan where the war was literally just outside the base perimeter. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? The deployed environment is the "real deal." Launching our aircraft on actual combat missions versus training missions is personally gratifying. We all have a huge sense of pride knowing we have a direct impact on the war.