Rock Solid Warrior: Senior Airman Eric Mantle

Photo By Master Sgt. Marelise Wood | Staff Sgt. Eric Mantle documents damage to a government vehicle at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. He is the lease contract office representative as well as the vehicle control function manager at the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. Mantle is deployed from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. This is his second deployment and first as a husband and father. He has been selected by his leadership as this week's Rock Solid Warrior. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Marelise Wood)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

09.13.2013

Courtesy Story

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

Rank/First & Last Name:
Staff Sgt. Eric Mantle

Deployed Unit:
386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron

Duty Title:
Lease contract office representative/ vehicle control function manager

Home unit/station:
341st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.

Family's military heritage:
Grandfather Thomas Reiber--U. S Army
Brother Shawn Stover-- U.S. Army

What is your mission here?
My mission here is to manage the lease vehicle fleet by working with the local lease company to get vehicles for either a short period of time or a permanent basis to meet the current mission of each unit. I also manage the vehicle control function and vehicle accident & abuse program.

What are some of the best parts of your mission?
The best part of my mission here is having the ability to work with all of the branches of the United States military plus having the chance to work with the locals.

What are some of the challenges you face while conducting your mission, and how do you overcome them?
The biggest challenges I have would be managing multiple large programs such as the vehicle leases, vehicle accidents and abuses, and the vehicle control function. This place makes you manage your time wisely or you will get swamped with work.

How does your job differ in a deployed environment vs. home base?
Here while I am deployed I manage more programs due to having fewer co-workers here. At my home station I have the luxury of having plenty Airmen to evenly distribute the work load.

How many times have you deployed?
This is my second deployment.

What makes this deployment unique?
Working with the locals has made this deployment unique due to not having the chance of working with them on my last deployment. Also this is my first deployment being a husband and a father.

Why did you join the Air Force?
To serve my country and my brother told me information about the benefits the military provides. He directed me towards the Air Force since he had a buddy that was stationed at the Air Force base next to where he was stationed at and told me the Air Force has a better quality of life.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2013
• Date Posted: 09.13.2013 04:26
• Story ID: 113568
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)
• Hometown: JERSEY SHORE, PA, US