An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

A Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Timothy Kantorak

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Senior Airman Timothy Kantorak. He is the Loadmaster with the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. The North Olmsted, Ohio native is deployed from the 757th Airlift Squadron, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio.

Q: What is your family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: I have a long history of military service within my family. My grandfather served in the Philippines in World War II along with his brothers who flew the B-17 Flying Fortress. My uncle Bob served in Vietnam where he received the Silver Star. I also have a cousin, Johnathan Blair, who gave his life in the line of duty in Iraq, in 2004.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: As a loadmaster, I perform air land and air drop missions supporting troops and civilians.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: Completing a mission is the best part. It feels good at the end, knowing you've accomplished what you set out to do.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: Organization can be very difficult with the fasted paced tempo of being in a deployed environment. Sometimes things can get very hectic before a mission. But I've learned to adapt and to push through, to do the job I was trained for.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: At home we train over and over, committing our skills to memory. Here, we use those skills every day, doing what we trained for back home.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: Two

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: This is my first time deploying to this region of the area of responsibility.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I wanted my life to have meaning. I always wanted to be an asset to those around me and the Air Force offered a way to do so.

(The Rock Solid Warrior is a weekly spotlight focused on an outstanding member of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. These unsung heroes have been nominated by their unit leadership to be recognized for their efforts while deployed.)