A Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Bradley Byers

Published May 30, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Jeremy Bowcock
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

Southwest Asia -- This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Bradley Byers. Byers is an aerospace propulsion craftsman with the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron. The Murphy, North Carolina native is deployed from the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California.

Q: What is your family's military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: Several members of my family have served in various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Currently, one cousin and I are both serving on active duty in the USAF.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: Our mission is to ensure our aircraft are ready to deliver combat capability and sustainment to the joint warfighter.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part of the mission is seeing all our hard work on the flightline pay off when an aircraft departs on its mission safely.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: Aircraft facing mechanical issues, with little time before their next scheduled takeoff prove to be the most challenging. My team and I work together to troubleshoot and repair the problem as quickly and safely as possible to make sure the mission happens.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: Other than the physical environment, my job does not change, regardless of location. Aircraft will have mechanical problems and we will fix them no matter what it is or where we are.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: This is my fourth deployment.

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: This deployment is unique because I've been able to take advantage of some of the opportunities for self-improvement available here, improving my physical fitness, along with sharpening my job skills by working through some unique aircraft maintenance situations.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force
A: When I was in high school, I knew that I knack for fixing things. I weighed the pros and cons of each service and came to the conclusion that the Air Force was the best opportunity for me to begin a career doing something I enjoy while serving my country.

(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.)