Deployed B-1 maintainer, Midland native, trades wrenches for force protection leadership for Southwest Asia unit

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Staff Sgt. Ronald C. Farris III, "Alpha" flight force protection team leader for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, is responsible for coordinating force protection activities for 26 Airmen who serve as escorts. Force protection escorts are charged with monitoring and safeguarding local and third country nationals working on base. Farris' Air Force career field is that of a B-1B Lancer maintenance craftsman. He is deployed from the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and his hometown is Midland, Texas.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

01.25.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Ronald C. Farris III, "Alpha" flight force protection team leader for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, is responsible for coordinating force protection activities for 26 Airmen who serve as escorts at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. Force protection escorts are charged with monitoring and safeguarding local and third country nationals working on base. Farris' Air Force career field is that of a B-1B Lancer maintenance craftsman. He is deployed from the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and his hometown is Midland, Texas.

At his home base of Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Farris spends his work time keeping the B-1B Lancer primed for its next mission.

At a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia, the maintainer has a completely different role as the leader of the "Alpha" flight force protection team with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. As team leader, he's responsible for coordinating force protection activities for 26 Airmen who serve as escorts. Force protection escorts are charged with monitoring and safeguarding local and third country nationals working on base.

"At deployed bases, force protection is a high priority," said Farris, whose hometown is Midland, Texas. "Here, it's especially when we have to have third-country nationals close to vital resources so it means our escorts have a front-line job in protecting those resources."

A 2002 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Farris and his fellow force protection Airmen have a vital role in support deployed security forces.

"Keeping our deployed personnel safe on our side of the fence is just as important as keeping them safe outside the wire," said Farris, whose home unit is the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "In addition to providing security and over-watch for the third country nationals, we also assist security forces in other matters. We're here to help keeps things safe and secure."

Although deploying as a force protection team leader is different from leading the daily maintenance efforts for a B-1B at Dyess AFB, Farris believes his contribution in the deployed environment is just as important as any other. He also said he is proud to be serving at a time when the U.S. is involved in several overseas contingency operations.

"I love the Air Force," Farris said. "It has given me a foundation to build on, not only career-wise, but as a person also. Being in the military is not for everyone. I believe it takes special people to do what we do, day in and day out.

"Deploying is all part of the job," the six-year Air Force veteran said. "If coming over here keeps my family and friends safe back home, I will gladly come as often as I have to."

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 Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 01.25.2010
• Date Posted: 01.25.2010 22:41
• Story ID: 44427
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)