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 Senior
Airman Dimitri Davis, a 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, aerospace
ground equipment journeyman.
My home unit is
the 355th Maintenance Squadron at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Ariz.
I maintain, inspect and transport aerospace ground equipment to the flight
line. Ground equipment is used to provide power using generators and other
elements needed while aircraft are grounded. AGE mostly consists of gas turbine
engine pneumatic air carts and many others. As AGE mechanics, we can work on
just about anything. We are considered a jack-of-all-trades.
Since we are
supporting various missions in the area of responsibility, it is much more
important to keep the equipment in the best possible shape in order to be used
when needed. Due to the elements of the area, it is harder to keep equipment up
to par. The equipment doesn’t always want to work as well as it should versus
when at home station.
There are many
challenges we face in AGE, from transporting the equipment to and from the
flight line, inspecting the equipment after it has been used and fixing it when
it is broken. The biggest challenge is troubleshooting equipment that does not
seem to work right. Sometimes it can take some time to figure out exactly what
the problem is. The best way to overcome any obstacle in AGE is to work as a
team. Everyone comes across different problems with equipment throughout their
career, so it is important that we share our knowledge with one another to
complete the mission.
The best part
about my job is the satisfaction I get after fixing a piece of equipment that
came in broken. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Professionally,
I am striving to promote to the rank of Staff Sergeant. I am also looking into
retraining into another career field, preferably contracting or loadmaster. I
have completed my Community College of the Air Force degree in AGE applied
science.
Personally, I
am currently pursuing a degree in business entrepreneurship with the dream of
eventually owning my own business.
When I have
free time, I like to read, fish, weight lift and play various sports. Some
sports I enjoy are running track, playing football and baseball. I used to be
in power lifting in high school and recently started lifting again to keep
myself in good shape. When I can, I like to go home to Mississippi and fish for
catfish.
I joined the
Air Force to get out of my comfort zone and to experience all that life has to
offer me.