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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron
Staff Sgt. Justin K. Raggio

Job: Vehicle NCO and Asst. NCOIC of Logistics

Home unit: 30th Security Forces Squadron, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

How do you support the mission here? I get supplies and provide the vehicle support our troops need to get their jobs done. I conduct daily inspections of all less-than-lethal weapons in our armory. I am also responsible for our tactical vehicles, buses, ATV's and non-tactical vehicles. I am a certified master driver responsible for training all deployed members of the 887th ESFS on every vehicle in our inventory. I also help deliver mermites to more than 100 Airmen every day to make sure they are fed and fueled to do the mission here at Camp Bucca. Finally, I provide manpower for the self-help team which repairs and constructs mission critical facilities and equipment.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? I have deployed eight times in the nine-and-a-half years that I have been in the Air Force. This is the second time I've worked with the Army, which has provided some unique challenges. This is the first time I've been stationed on an Army FOB. It makes it a little harder when you don't have a flight line which has cargo planes dropping off supplies daily. Here at Camp Bucca everything has to be convoyed in which sometimes teaches that you can make do with what you have.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? Back at home station, the job is completely different. At Vandenberg, I patrol around different areas of the base daily keeping peace throughout the base. Here my main focus is on one area, just S-4 duties. While at home, when I get off work, I dedicate my time to my beautiful wife and son. Being deployed I can dedicate more time to self improvement - i.e. the gym and study time for the E-6 exam.