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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Staff Sergeant Ricky J.B. Leal

Job: EC-130H Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems Specialist

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

How do you support the mission here? I am an Aircraft Electrical and Environmental Systems Specialist supporting the EC-130H for the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. I troubleshoot, inspect and maintain EC-130H electrical, oxygen, cabin/cargo pressurization, air-conditioning and special systems air-conditioning systems, ensuring the aircraft is mission-capable.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my third 120 -day deployment. I'm here at the Rock, from January 2009 to present in support of OIF/OEF missions. This deployment has been extremely unique due to the fact that I am currently not on a regular AEF rotation cycle. With our unique Compass Call mission, we are deployed at two different remote locations for 365 days a year.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? At home station, there are a few more EC-130Hs. Because we have a smaller contingent of aircraft supporting the mission, my job differs when I'm deployed. It's a little more up tempo here providing 24-hour coverage to ensure the safety of our troops. Another difference is while deployed we have the opportunity to conduct cross-utilization training and to help out other specialties, like aircraft crew chiefs and propulsion, guidance/control, and communication/navigation specialists. This in-turn helps us expand our overall knowledge of aircraft systems and to become better all-around maintainers. While back at home station we are mainly focused on training in our primary Air Force specialty.