ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman Jason Baldyga, 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron aviation resource management technician, briefs his commander, Lt. Col. Dave Delmonaco on training requirements and flight hours. Airman Baldyga is deployed from the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

Published Jan. 30, 2009
43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Senior Airman Jason Baldyga

Job: Aviation Resource Management Technician

Home unit/base: 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

How do you support the mission here? I support the mission here by preparing flight authorizations for all combat missions to and from the AOR. I track flying hours and ensure all aircrew members have completed required training to fly. It is my responsibility to input and audit flight and ground accomplishments for assigned aircrew personnel.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my second deployment to Southwest Asia. What makes this particular deployment unique is I was recently promoted to senior airman and reenlisted for a second term for six years.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? My job here essentially remains the same as my duties at Davis-Monthan. The mission, however, is real world and operations become more critical. Additionally, each time an aircrew member reaches a specific amount of combat sorties, I complete an Air Medal package, whereas at home station we fly for training purposes only. Working out of a four-man shop at DM versus being the only flight manager deployed allows me to face daily challenges typically unapparent at my home base.