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 Anthony Rupple-Haywood, a 386th
Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace maintenance journeyman.
My home unit is the 79th Aircraft Maintenance Unit
located at Davis-Monthan Air force base in Tucson, Ariz., which is a tenant
unit to the 923rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit located at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. In the world of aircraft maintenance, there
is a career field specialty for every system on the plane, such as engines,
electrical, etc. As a crew chief, I have my hands in everything. If there is a
malfunction, I'm troubleshooting, repairing or assisting a specialist for their
respective system. My responsibilities as a crew chief are the overall upkeep
of the aircraft and any documentation associated with aircraft maintenance. I
perform all the aircraft inspections required before and after flights as well
as servicing fuel, hydraulic and engine systems.
The biggest difference between my job here and home
station is the mission itself. I operate in a search and rescue squadron and
back at home station most of our flying consists of training missions and
proficiency flights. Occasionally a real-world mission arises in which we need
to rescue an individual from a deadly situation ranging from lost at sea to
missing in the mountains. Here, nearly
every flight’s purpose is to get wounded soldiers out of danger and to a place
where they can seek the care needed. In addition, we support our sister
helicopter unit in Iraq with in-flight refueling and maintenance recovery. The
aircraft often hauls flight surgeons and parajumpers as well as the cargo and equipment
required for the day’s specific mission.
Professionally, my goals are to one day commission and
become an officer in the Air Force. I’m currently pursuing my Community College
of the Air Force degree and evaluating business degrees for my bachelors.
My time away from work is split between my family and
achieving my physical fitness goals. My wife and daughter are my inspiration to
be successful and keep me on track. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is my first
and only duty station. I am proud to call Tucson home. This is where my wife and I met and started
our family. My extended family is only a couple hours away in Texas, so we can
visit almost anytime. There may not be a
lot in Tucson itself, but there is plenty to do outside the city limits. Las
Vegas and San Diego are only a few hours away. This allows for some fun and
impromptu mini weekend vacations. The warm and dry climate is also a bonus, because
I am not a fan of rainy weather.
This is my second deployment and there are many reasons
this has been different. The first is having a family back home rooting for me.
This difference can add stress at times, but the support and love they give
keeps me going. This deployment package
is smaller than my last. This has given me a unique opportunity to take over a
program as Vehicle noncommissioned officer. I have not had the opportunity to
maintain a program like this, and it has given a greater perspective on the
bigger picture and life off the flightline. In my opinion the best part of the
mission is knowing I am a vital component in saving lives, however small my
part may be.