24-year Air Force veteran, Dry Branch native, leads PERSCO team for Southwest Asia wing

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | Senior Master Sgt. Sharif Rahim, teacm chief for the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron's Personnel Support for Contingency Operations Office, works at his desk at a non-disclosed location in Southwest Asia on March 2. Rahim is deployed from Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and his hometown is Dry Branch, Ga.  

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04.09.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Every day while he's deployed, Senior Master Sgt. Sharif Rahim has to worry about more than 1,900 people in addition to leading the five-person Personnel Support for Contingency Operations, or PERSCO, team at a non-disclosed base here.

"As the PERSCO team chief, we're responsible for reporting Total Force accountability and casualty status to senior military and civilian officials," said Rahim, whose PERSCO team is aligned with the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron. "Total Force accountability comprises the thousands of deployed Air Force active duty, Air Reserve component, Department of the Air Force civilians, contractors and other civilian personnel not employed by the Department of Defense who support the Air Force mission here."

Rahim's team accomplishes their deployed mission by utilizing a collection of classified automated and manual procedures, systems and hardware that reports real-time information concerning boots-on-ground and replacement forces.

"Additionally, we provide routine personnel program support and advice to deployed commanders and Airmen," said Rahim, who is deployed from Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

The 24-year Air Force veteran said having PERSCO in deployed theater of operations is critical. They help manage the "most important" resource completing the mission - the people.

"We contribute to the air expeditionary force by providing mission-ready personnel forces as well as providing Total Force accountability, casualty reporting and advice on personnel policies and procedures to all levels of command involved in readiness operations," Rahim said. "This is of utmost importance to the combatant commander. Their most valuable resource is not necessarily the weapons systems used in the fight but, more importantly, the qualified, dedicated Airmen who support and operate these systems. As such, PERSCO teams make Total Force accountability our number one priority and are a critical link in virtually every aspect of AEF operations."

In his hometown of Dry Branch, Ga., there are just over 3,000 people. It was within that small town atmosphere where Rahim said he found the building blocks to his successful 24-year military career.

"Deciding to serve my nation as a member of the Air Force was one of the best decisions of my life," Rahim said. "While I initially made the decision blindly, in hindsight I clearly see the importance of discipline, responsibility and accountability the service has instilled in me and how that has ultimately led to many of my successes in life."

"I've served at many stateside and overseas bases," Rahim said. "However, when you are deployed it brings to the forefront the reality of why we serve. When we are deployed we form teams, bonds and even friendships that allow us to stay focused, accomplish our mission and ultimately keep America safe."

In being a leader, Rahim said he's had many people who have helped him and taught him important lessons during his life.

"Over the years, I have had family, friends, many great leaders, and many outstanding troops who have influenced who I am and how I lead," the senior master sergeant said. "They've always given me the mental and spiritual motivation I needed throughout my career and I do what I do not only for America but in an effort to thank them for the selfless time and effort they put into me."

The 380th EFSS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing 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 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

• Date Taken: 04.09.2010
• Date Posted: 04.09.2010 04:03
• Story ID: 47873
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)