Rock Solid Warrior Published Oct. 30, 2007 737 Expeditionary Airlift Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Jess Reeson C-130 E/H flight engineer instructor Home unit/base: 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan How do you support the mission here? I conduct preflight inspections to make sure aircraft are safe for flight as well as monitor aircraft systems in-flight ensuring our troops get a safe trip in and out of theater. In the event the aircraft does encounter an emergency or malfunction, I'm the focal point for taking coordinated and corrective action. I also like to take time and enhance co-pilot's knowledge on aircraft systems and limitations when opportunities arise. How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my fourth deployment as a flight engineer. Having a brother in the Army, it seems very difficult to be in the same place at the same time as him with us both deploying. I was able to meet up with him on this deployment at the life support area for a few hours before he headed to Iraq for 15 months. Missing him by 15 minutes, 2 years ago when I was over here was hard. To get over and having those few hours with him this time was priceless! Although our crew wasn't able to fly him, I knew he was in good hands having the best operations group give him a ride up with the great support the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing has. How does your job differ in a deployed environment versus home base? At home station, we train for the fight. We take all that knowledge that we learn and apply it over here. Our duty days at home range from 8-10 hours and being deployed they range from 12-18 hours. Sometimes we will tail swap three times here and you know there are Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen that are waiting on you to get them home. Your days may be long, but hearing all the troops in the back of the plane scream and yell happiness at 12 - 14 hours into your day is an amazing feeling.