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ROCK SOLID WARRIOR

  • Published
  • 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron
Senior Airman Justin Lyle 

Pavement and Equipment Journeyman, 3E2X1

Home unit/base: 15th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii 

How do you support the mission here? I operate various types of heavy equipment and machinery to create access roads, improve parking areas, maintain roadways, and transporting equipment. Additionally, I'm called upon to perform quality assurance evaluation for some of the work performed by contractors on base and I assist in developing a statement of work which specifies how repairs should be made along the flight-line and parking apron.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? I have deployed twice and both times have been unique. This deployment is unique because I am the only person from my career field assigned to the 387th Air Expeditionary Group. Therefore, I'm relied upon to be the expert of knowing what the best way is to accomplish a job within my career field. It is rewarding knowing that I'm performing this type of duty, a position normally reserved for a non-commissioned officer.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? Other than being away from family, the job here really does not differ much from the job at my home station. Operating heavy equipment in the sand is unique and trying to improve the roads here can be a challenge.