Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Senior Airman Christopher Tolliver, force protection escort for the 380th Air...... read more read more
Subscribe
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Far from the fields of Nebraska, the home state of Senior Airman Christopher Tolliver, Airmen are supporting a role in protecting Air Force assets and people ensuring everything remains as "business as usual."
Tolliver is deployed to a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia as a force protection escort for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. Force protection escorts are charged with monitoring and safeguarding local and third country nationals working on base.
"It's up to me and a team of many other Airmen to serve in this critical force protection role," said Tolliver, who is deployed from the 9th Maintenance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. "We provide that frontline support and protection to our base and allow the TCNs to complete their work in a safe environment."
At his home station, Tolliver normally works as an aircraft fuel systems journeyman tending to the aircraft on Beale AFB's flightline. While he said that job is critical to the Air Force's mission, he also said working his force protection job is just as important.
"Without force protection escorts, the base would not function properly," Tolliver said. "Many of the third country nationals who work on base wouldn't be allowed on the American compound and subsequently, a lot of work wouldn't get done. What we do helps keep the base operating every day without interruption to the mission."
A 2006 graduate of Lincoln Northeast High School in his hometown of Lincoln, Neb., Tolliver said he is proud he chose the Air Force as his profession - no matter what he is called to do.
"It gives me great honor to know that every day I wake up, I am making a difference and keeping others safe from harm," said the four year Air Force veteran.
On being deployed, Tolliver said it's also important for all Airmen to remember the task they have to get done because whether they know it or not, they are doing an important job every day.
"Being deployed is a hard job, but with good friends and a positive attitude, a lot can be accomplished," he said.
The 380th AEW is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The wing supports Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and Operation Enduring Freedom.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2010 00:11 |
| Story ID: | 44625 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 402 |
| Downloads: | 350 |
This work, Beale maintenance Airman, Lincoln native, supports force protection effort in Southwest Asia, by MSgt Jenifer Calhoun, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
