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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airman 1st Class James Letts

C-130E/H Loadmaster

Home unit/base: 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas

How do you support the mission here? I support the mission of delivering combat power by supervising the loading and unloading of cargo and passengers aboard the C-130E/H Hercules at an air base in the Southwest Asia area other forward operating bases throughout the area of responsibility.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my first deployment. Meeting Soldiers leaving their deployed locations on their way home and hearing their stories of the front line has made this experience truly unique. I have also had the opportunity to carry the radio talk show cast of "Sports by Line" including the host Ron Barr, an Estonian rock band "The Sun," who has several albums out and have performed morale concerts here, and many other military and civilian noteworthy guests. I have also performed the solemn duty of carrying fallen Solders out of the combat zone -- returning their remains to their loved ones back at home.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? The missions I have flown while deployed are completely different from the training missions at Dyess. While deployed here, the missions I fly are mainly air-land employment operations. Prior to deploying I had only carried passengers on one flight. I have perfected my passenger briefing and excel at bare tine loading operations. After takeoff, I scan the aircraft systems to ensure they are functioning in a normal manner. Upon ingress and egress into hostile airfields I scan for threats. The missions I was flying at Dyes were mainly airdrop training missions such as heavy equipment, container delivery system, and personnel airdrops. At home station we work on staying current and qualified for airdrop, so that in the event emergency resupply of deployed troops becomes necessary we are ready to execute the mission.