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Rock Solid Warrior

  • Published
  • 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron
Staff Sgt. Daniel Wilcox

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician

Home unit/base: Oregon Air National Guard 142nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Portland, Ore.

How do you support the mission here? I maintain all heating and air conditioning throughout the installation.

How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? I install, operate, maintain and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. I maintain and repair non-electric kitchen equipment that supports the dining facility. I also monitor system operations to ensure efficiency and compliance to technical orders, manufacturer handbooks, local procedures, codes and directives. If it supports heating and cooling of people, food or facilities, I support it.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment versus home base? In a deployed environment, I get a chance to use the skills I've trained on within the Air National Guard. As an Air National Guardsmen this deployment has given me a chance to work within my Air Force career field full time and build skills and experience. My civilian and Air Force jobs have a lot of similarities. This deployment has helped me refine skills and techniques which will help me not only in the Guard but also in my civilian job.