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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Tech. Sgt. Anthony Wallis 

Job: S-5/Training, Safety, Deployment and Facility Manager 

Home unit/base: 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
 
How do you support the mission here? I am responsible for detachment training and management of mobility, training and medical records for 160 Airmen assigned to the 424th Medium Truck Detachment. I conduct routine safety inspections of personnel, equipment and facilities, ensuring safe practices are being conducted and potential hazards are identified and corrected. I manage 11 586th ELRS facilities to include work areas, living areas, maintenance bays and squadron tents. At the beginning and end of our tour, I set up training and conduct deployment and re-deployment procedures for incoming and outgoing detachment personnel, enabling a smooth transition and minimal impact on mission support. 

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? I have deployed six times. This is the first time I've worked with the Army, which has provided some unique challenges. It took some time to figure out the sister service's organizational structure and who was responsible for certain operations. I also had to learn Army lingo as acronyms have different meanings in the Air Force than they do in the Army. Once I figured out how they wanted things done, it was easy from there on out. 

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? As the training manager for an Air Force unit attached to a Joint Logistics Task Force, there are many differences in the way things are done. Most Air Force personnel are unfamiliar with Army equipment and training classes. With a little patience and plenty of time, we have adapted to the Army way of training. Our detachment has succeeded in accomplishing all required Army training and convoy missions assigned to us.