Photo By Mark Olsen | Portrait of Senior Airman David G. Abreu, hydraulic mechanic, 108th Wing Maintenance...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - There’s a first time for everything.
In a person’s life there will be the first time you ride a bicycle or the first time you drive a car without your parent riding shotgun and of course, your first kiss.
The military is no different: Except the most significant first is your first deployment.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Senior Airman David G. Abreu. “I’m a little anxious, excited, nervous; it’s a mix of emotions.”
When news of his unit’s deployment first came out, everyone in the shop wanted to go. Abreu had just finished his associate degree in criminal justice and was planning on getting his bachelor's in criminal justice at Kean University.
For the 108th Wing hydraulic mechanic, deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel, gives him the opportunity to put his skills to the test in a combat environment.
“I was told ‘just be ready to do the job and do it right,’” said Abreu.
For his role in the operation, Abreu will be responsible for everything on the KC-135R Stratotanker that deals with hydraulic and pneumatic systems, especially the boom. The KC-135R, which can carry up to 200,000 pounds of fuel, uses the boom to transfer fuel to American and coalition aircraft. The mid-air refueling gives fighters and bombers longer reach on combat missions.
“The boom is exclusively the hydraulic shop’s responsibility,” said Abreu. “It’s what makes this aircraft special.”
Operation Freedom’s Sentinel is the new United States military mission in support of operations in Afghanistan and is the United States’ part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. This particular deployment will also include support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the all-encompassing war on terrorism operation in the CENTCOM AOR.
Abreu will not be alone for his first deployment. More than 140 Airmen will be deploying in and out of the AOR in support of Freedom’s Sentinel during the summer.
And because this is a new operation, this will be their first time in support of this new mission.
| Date Taken: | 06.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2015 09:53 |
| Story ID: | 167923 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ, US |
| Web Views: | 88 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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