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 Zachary Gartmann

  • Published
  • By Public Affairs staff
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Senior Airman Zachary Gartmann. Gartmann is a security forces defender with the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. The Merrill, Wis. native is deployed from the 20th Security Forces Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

In his own words:

Q:  What is your family's military heritage?
A:  My grandfather, Jan D. Milos, and my father Mark Gartmann both retired from the U.S. Air Force as Master Sgts.  Additionally, my other grandfather, Rueben F. Gartmann served in the U.S. Army. 

Q:  What is your mission here?
A:  My mission involves solidifying host-nation relationships and enforcing the 187 square mile military exclusion zone.  I help to ensure that all personnel and resources assigned and transient to the base are safe and can conduct the mission. 

Q:  What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A:  The best part of my mission is I get to interact with the locals on a regular basis. From working with the host-nation military to visiting the surrounding bedouin camps. I get to taste the food and learn to speak the language.

Q:  How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A:  Home-station, I do more law enforcement and guard entry control points.  Here I play more of an infantry role.

Q:  How many times have you deployed?
A:  This will be my second deployment.

Q:  What makes this deployment unique?
A:  I work off-base everyday instead of doing base defense inside the wire.

Q:  Why did you join the Air Force?
A:  I joined to serve my country and to get out of my small town.

(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.)