Rock Solid Warrior Published July 21, 2007 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Hoa Tong Airman 1st Class Hoa Tong 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Raven B Operator Home unit/base: 100th Security Forces Squadron, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, UK How do you support the mission here? I am one of four trained operators of the Raven B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. I conduct surveillance missions from the air of the Camp Bucca perimeter as well as assist in securing supply routes. This aircraft helps us scan the areas before our soldiers get there, making Camp Bucca a lot safer because we are there. How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my first deployment, and I have never flown planes before. I never would have thought I would be controlling a $150,000 aircraft in the deserts of Iraq. I also started a class called Mixed Martial Arts with Team Conflict. It makes time go by a lot faster. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? I would never be able to fly a plane at my home station. As a patrol unit, or entry controller back at home base and here in Camp Bucca there are just very different threats to worry about.