A Rock Solid Warrior: Master Sgt. Sarah Bredthauer

Published June 27, 2014
By 1st Lt. Holli Nelson
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Master Sgt. Sarah Bredthauer. Bredthauer is a customer service contracting officer representative with the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. The Sterling, Nebraska native is deployed from the 155th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineer Squadron, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Q: What is your family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: I have grown up with several positive military influences in my life. My Grandpa Harms served in the US Army Air Corps; he was a tail gunner in the B-24 Liberator. My Grandpa Kempkes served in the United States Army, he deployed to the Pacific Theatre during WWII. My father and brother were both in the United States Marine Corps.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: Civil Engineer (CE) Operations Management is responsible for support of base recovery and contingency operations, activate and manage CE command and control centers, maintain team status, and coordinate responses with upper/lower echelons. Assist in development of plans to bed-down personnel, aircraft, and associated support functions during contingency operations. Process and control work requirements and manage the recurring work program. Provide interface with host nations on maintenance requirements, purchase agreements, and service contracts.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: CE is a hard working team of numerous Air Force specialties. CE Operations shops often amalgamate to get a big job, or priority job, done on time. I enjoy the variety of work that we accomplish, the ingenuity of our shop leads, and the hard working character of our personnel.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: Coordinating and responding to unexpected emergencies that affect the base populace makes life CE Operations interesting. The power seems to go out a lot here, I KNOW everyone knows what I am talking about! It's important to remain calm and positive, treat customers and contractors with respect, and coordinate work and priorities between the customer and shop supervisors to resolve emergency issues as soon as possible.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: My home station assignment is the Prime BEEF Manager for the Civil Engineer Squadron. My main duties include the preparation and submittal of monthly status reports to Air Force and National Guard Bureau, Unit Deployment Management, forecasting and scheduling Unit Mission Essential and Ancillary Training, Recourse Advisor for MILPERS dollars and Work Day Monitor, Health Monitor, Fitness Monitor... often times referred to as the "Squadron Mom".

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: I was activated stateside as Homeland Security in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and 2002. This is my first overseas deployment tour.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: My brother enlisted in the Marine Corps when I was in elementary school, I was at a very influential age. I remember watching a video over and over that he sent home of USMC basic training, thinking "wow, this looks so tough, I want to do that!" As I grew up, my passion of discipline, organization, fitness, and teamwork continued, and I was certain that joining the military was my calling. My father took me on a tour of the NE Air National Guard my senior year of High School and I was sold. No regrets!

(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.)