Rock Solid Warrior Published March 30, 2007 386 AEW SOUTHWEST ASIA -- SSgt Robert L. Hayes, Jr. SSgt Robert L. Hayes, Jr. 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron 1A171 C-130E/H Instructor Flight Engineer Home unit/base: 37th Airlift Squadron, Ramstein AB, Germany How do you support the mission here? I support the mission by making sure the C-130 aircraft is fully capable of performing and completing the mission safely. I provide valuable aircraft performance data to the pilot before and during the flight, as well as monitoring of all critical aircraft systems. I debrief maintenance personnel on aircraft status and conduct troubleshooting and repair actions to any encountered problems during flight. Additionally, I ensure proper checklists are completed during all phases of flight. How many times have you deployed and what makes this one unique? This is my 9th deployment in support of OIF/OEF. This rotation is unique in which I participated on the Ali Al Salem base basketball team. We proudly represented the Rock during the 2007 Basketball Tournament at Camp Arifjan. We went undefeated and brought the first place trophy home. How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base? My job here is much different than home station due to the dynamic challenges of operating in a deployed environment. We can encounter extreme high temperatures, experience different field elevations and pressure altitudes that affect aircraft performance. We also have to increase our vigilance and alert in the combat zone for surface to air missiles as well as other aircraft flying around that could be a threat. We often endure long hours to get the mission done where as at home, we only fly a few hours for training purposes.