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A Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Cole Stewart

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Cole Stewart. He is the material control non-commissioned officer in charge with the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. The Bradford, Ohio native is deployed from the 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arizona

Q: What is your family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: My grandfather served in the Army during the Vietnam War, my father served in the Marine Corp during Desert Storm, and my brother is currently in the Navy.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: I order and process vehicle parts, maintain PMEL tool account and inventories, process tires and parts to local DLA-DS coordinator, inventory residue and working stock items, and maintain tracking of all MATV maintenance actions and parts ordering.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part of my mission is the problem solving. I like to find ways to streamline processes and reduce vehicle down time.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: The challenges that I face in our current mission is getting parts in a timely manner and providing the technicians what they need as they need it.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: The major difference between my home base and deployment here is the tempo and priorities. Parts taking days instead of weeks.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: I have deployed 3 times to the following places: Sather AB Iraq, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing - Southwest Asia, United Arab Emirates, and here.

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: This deployment I am working in material control instead of vehicle management and analyst. This provides an opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and experience in my career field.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I joined the Air force to serve my country, see the world and get an education.

(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.)