Southwest Asia --
Editor’s note: The
Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of
the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to
the mission.
I’m Staff Sgt. Katherine Platt, a 386th Expeditionary
Maintenance Squadron plans scheduling and documentation noncommissioned officer
in charge.
My home unit is the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at
MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. At home station, I manage 16 aircraft and one
aircraft maintenance unit of KC-130 R and T models with the help of four other
aircraft maintenance schedulers.
Here at the 386th EMXS, I am responsible for the wing
flying and maintenance schedule for seven different aircraft maintenance units
assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. I forecast the scheduled
maintenance on aircraft and ensure its completion in a timely manner. I also
track and maintain time sensitive assets installed on the aircraft to prevent it
from grounding and ensuring the planes meet the Air Tasking Orders. For long-range planning, I provide forecast
for the rotational plan of aircraft in and out of the area of responsibility.
In the AOR, I am responsible and have oversight of more
than 40 aircraft across multiple different aircraft maintenance units of various
maintenance design series with one other aircraft maintenance scheduler. The operations tempo is definitely a lot more
rapid than the operations tempo at home station.
This is my second deployment with my first being to
Afghanistan. This deployment has been unique because I've had to work side-by-side
with reservists and guardsman. Also, I've been involved with the buildup of
many incoming aircraft. Normally, I am
responsible for one aircraft maintenance unit; here I support the entire flight
line in one aspect or another.
As any deployment, this one has its challenges. The
mission is constantly changing and so is the direction we’re taking. The needs
of the AOR are demanding and readily evolving and I've had to learn how to be
quick on my feet and flexible with the tasks at hand.
Professionally, I am striving to make the rank of technical
sergeant, complete Course 15 and widen my military experience by applying to
work in United States Air Forces in Europe. I've worked in Air Combat Command, Pacific
Air Forces, Central Command and Air Mobility Command. Each station and command has its own
challenges, but I feel like I’ve learned so much from each duty station and
command I would like to gain more knowledge from USAFE.
When I am not on the job, I am working towards my
bachelor’s degree in homeland security and emergency management. Another
personal goal is to finish the required prerequisites for nursing school. In my
spare time I also like to garden, participate in various outdoor activities and
spend time with my family.
I joined the Air Force to see the world, and thus far, I
have experienced so much in the last nine years. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.