SOUTHWEST ASIA --
This week's Rock Solid Warrior is Senior Airman Nakeithian Phillips, 386th Expeditionary Medical Group dental technician. The Phenix
City, Ala., native is deployed fro the 23rd Aerospace Medical Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.
Q: What is your family's military heritage (anyone else
in your family who was/is in the military)?
A: My father, Sgt. 1st Class Keith Phillips, currently
serves in the U.S. Army. He has dedicated 25 years so far and is currently
stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. My uncle, Command Sgt. Major Darrin Jones, has
served 22 years in the U.S. Army and is presently deployed to an undisclosed
location. My uncle, retired Master Sgt. Malcolm Walton,
served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force. My
mother, Sgt. Mia Phillips, separated from the U.S. Army after six years of
service.
Q: What is your mission here (in general terms)?
A: My mission is to provide assistance with emergency dental
care to all individuals assigned to the host nation. We see all follow-on
forces and coalition forces as well, providing the basic fill and drill
(operative), root canals (endodontics), and extractions (oral surgery) under
local sedation.
Q: What are some of the best parts of your mission?
A: The best part is meeting individuals, basically
networking. I want to show them our team’s great customer satisfaction and reducing
their pain. The best part is impacting the mission, helping our warfighters get
back to the fight with a smile on their face.
Q: What are some of the challenges you face while
conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
A: I have had the opportunity to receive additional on
the job training because of the limited resources available in a deployed
environment.
Q: How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs.
home base?
A: My job differs from home base because I’m the sole dental
technician here with the dentist. At home base you have everyone doing
different things to keep the mission going. Here I’m on my own, but that’s a
good thing because I’m becoming a jack-of-all-trades and will have more
knowledge and hands-on experience to help wherever I’m needed.
Q: How many times have you deployed?
A: This is my
first deployment.
Q: What makes this deployment unique?
A: I enjoy the comradery the 386th EMDG has built
together. We are all from different bases and came together as one without any
problems to get the mission accomplished.
Q: Why did you join the Air Force?
A: I joined the Air Force in 2009. I’m the oldest of my
ten brothers and sisters, and I wanted to be a positive big brother and role
model. I just hit my 6sixyear mark and I’ve decided to re-enlist once I get back
to my home station and do the full 20 years.