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A Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Andrew Snow

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs staff
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Andrew Snow. Snow is a force aerospace ground equipment journeyman with the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron. The Portland, Ore. native is deployed from the 62nd Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

In his own words:

Q: What is your family's military heritage?
A: Grandfather was in the Navy.

Q: What is your mission here?
A: To perform servicing, maintenance and delivery of both powered and non-powered ground equipment to U.S., joint coalition C-130s, C-17s and the transient aircraft. We ensure the equipment is maintained to a serviceable condition, ensuring 100% reliability.


Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: I enjoy being close to the daily flying mission, a direct line of support to the aircraft maintainers and being the catalyst to guarantee they have the needed equipment to complete their work.

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: Sustaining such a variety of equipment, some which are 30 years old or older. Since most of the equipment is old, when they break...they break hard. I enjoy the mechanical challenges of troubleshooting, looking for better ways to do maintenance, hearing the equipment running properly once I am done with the repairs is worth the effort.


Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: Here I work with AD, ANG, and Air Force Reserve members. We've enjoyed sharing with each other tricks of the trade as we troubleshoot and fix the equipment. Additionally, I have enjoyed the opportunity to take advantage of the volunteer activities and working with so many different members of the squadron setting up displays for the Legacy dinner.


Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: This is my second time, though I've been on many long TDYs.


Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: Being able to interact with the local nationals.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I originally joined the Air Force to serve my country, and knew I could take advantage of the GI Bill to further my education and eventually could pursue a teaching job. So far, I have completed my CCAF and Bachelor's degree and my goals of teaching outside the Air Force are delayed as I pursue teaching opportunities within my career field, possibly at a Field Training Detachment.


(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.)