Airman 'heart, spirit' of 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron

Photo By Chief Master Sgt. Paul Mann | Airman 1st Class Dick Hazard, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Airfield Management shift lead, is responsible for runway, taxi way and aircraft traffic at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Oct. 31, 2011. Hazard is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and is a native of Saguache, Colo.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

11.05.2011

Story by Senior Airman Amber Kelly-Herard 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA - With two-and-a-half years in the Air Force, a 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron airman has spent more time assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing than he has at his current duty location.

Airman 1st Class Dick Hazard, 332nd EOSS Airfield Management shift lead, arrived at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 17, 2010, originally on a six-month deployment.

"When I first got there, it was awesome," said Hazard, who is deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "I remember thinking, 'wow, this is a deployment?'."

Being on his first deployment and still new to the career field, Hazard was able to learn a lot.

"Doing the [foreign object and debris] sweeps on the airfield and dealing with in-flight emergencies showed me how to better control situations," said Hazard, who is originally from Saguache, Colo.

While at JBB, Hazard was asked to extend, increasing his deployment length to 365 days.

After 10 months at JBB, Hazard moved to an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

"Shutting down a base, you have everything you need, and you try to hold on to things as long as possible," said Hazard. "When you start up a base, you have nothing at all and have to scrounge for everything.

"I got here Sept. 1, and we were sleeping on cots in Bldg. 410 and cleaning everything," continued Hazard. "Once we got our trailer to work in, things got easier."

Coming here, Hazard helped establish airfield management procedures.

"We inspected the pavement, made sure aircraft parking was standardized, and we established the airfield driving program," he said.

Normal responsibilities of airfield management include making sure aircraft safely land, take off, park and taxi and facilitating flight plans.

A big difference for Hazard was working with host nation military.

"In tech school we are taught that this is my airfield, my domain," he said. "Now, we work hand-in-hand with the host nation.

"After spending a few hours talking to them every day, our job has become a lot smoother, and I enjoy learning their culture," he continued.

Being on his first deployment, Hazard has been able to encounter many experiences.

"I've done a lot of things I wanted to do with our job," he said. "I have run a shift, and I got to hold a leadership role, especially at JBB. I know what it feels like to make decisions.

"It was also interesting working with different aircraft," he continued. "The biggest thing I learned was wingtip criteria."

Now a year later, Hazard is headed home.

"It seemed like a long time, but I kept pushing through," he said. "Now I'm thinking, 'Wow, it's been 12 months?' because it didn't seem that long."

Hazard's absence will not go unnoticed.

"Airman Hazard is very hard working," said Tech. Sgt. Laribeth Matter, 332nd EOSS Airfield Management non-commissioned officer in charge. "He's very self-motivated. He's been deployed for a year, and he still has motivation. When we say we should do something, he gets it done.

"His awards, [letters of evaluation] and decorations cannot say enough," continued Matter, who is deployed from Shaw AFB, S.C., which is where she also considers home. "It is hard to lose him."

"Airman Hazard is the heart and spirit of our unit," said Lt. Col. Kendall Potter, 332nd EOSS commander.

• Date Taken: 11.05.2011
• Date Posted: 11.05.2011 07:07
• Story ID: 79607
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)