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Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Charles Vella

  • Published
  • 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Rank/First & Last Name:
Senior Airman Charles Vella

Deployed Unit:
386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron

Duty Title:
Aircraft Fuel Systems

Home unit/station:
143rd Maintenance Squadron, Rhode Island Air National Guard

Family's military heritage:
I have one uncle who is a lieutenant colonel in the Army

What is your mission here?
My mission is to repair problems with the fuel systems of the C-130 and also check in and out all of the support equipment to launch/recover and repair the C-130 aircraft assigned here.

What are some of the best parts of your mission?
The best part of my mission here is knowing I play a part in helping get our planes in the air to support the Central Command mission.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I had to face was being put into a different position than my home station job. At home I only performed fuels maintenance; here I had to learn all the rules and regulations associated with support equipment and how to store and dispose of hazardous materials. I have overcome this by studying everything I could about my new job and doing my best to learn all of the additional duties that come with being a part of the maintenance support flight.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
At home I am a fuel systems technician; over here I work the back shop and take care of all support equipment and inspections. This is a big change from working constantly on the flight line.

How many times have you deployed?
This is my first deployment.

What makes this deployment unique?
This deployment is unique because I deployed four months earlier than my unit tasking to fill a vacancy. So I got to work with another unit rather than my home station, which has just now arrived.

Why did you join the Air Force?
I joined the Air Force because I wanted to serve my country and felt I could use my mechanical skills in the Air Force working on planes.