Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Tyler Aaby

Published March 30, 2015
By Public Affairs
386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Tyler Aaby, the NCO in charge of training for the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department. The Billings, Montana, native is deployed from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

Q: What is your family’s military heritage (anyone else in your family who was/is in the military?):
A: I’m 3rd generation military. My grandpa was in the Army during WWII, and my dad was Air Force intel during Desert Storm. My twin brother was also in the Army and had three combat deployments to Iraq, and my step brother was a Marine.

Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: My primary mission here is to ensure the fire department is fully trained to respond to any emergency. I’m able to do that by creating monthly training schedules that match up with our career field education and training plan, coordinating training with other base agencies, and coordinating all career development enrollments and practical exercises.

Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: I’d have to say the best part is watching the younger Airmen progress through their training. We have a young group of guys here, and being deployed we are able to get some of them training that they wouldn’t be able to complete at home station. It’s rewarding to watch them take what they’ve learned and apply it to become better fire fighters and leaders

Q: What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: The hardest part is working with everyone’s home stations. I have to coordinate all CDC’s through their home stations. The time difference plus each base having different enrollment requirements makes it challenging. The only way to overcome that is patience. I try to work with the guys and make sure they are ready by the time the CDC comes in.

Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
A: The training we conduct doesn’t change. The only difference is my role in the training. Back at home station I am a crew chief on a truck, and I conduct hands on training with just my station or shift. Here I am filling a master sergeant billet, and I have to ensure everybody in the department is getting trained. I don’t get to do as much of the hands-on training, but it’s also more rewarding.

Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: This is my third deployment. In 2007 I spent six months attached with the Army in Afghanistan, and I deployed to Al Udeid in 2010.

Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: The mission set here is unlike any other. We man five separate stations at three bases, with a wide range of responsibilities. Usually I only get to see my little piece of the pie; but here I am able to see more of the big picture.

Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I joined for the typical reason, to serve my country and see the world. I remember when I was younger and seeing my dad in his uniform. From that point I knew that this was something I wanted to do. I also wanted to see the world. I grew up in Montana, and I wanted to get out and explore. The Air Force hasn’t let me down either. I’ve been in almost 11 years, and I am at my fifth duty location and third deployment.