Airman arms combat truckers for the long haul

Photo By Master Sgt. Lakisha Croley | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alex Houston, 586th Air Expeditionary Group armorer, accepts a cleared weapon from Senior Airman Jimarie Candelario, also of the 586th AEG, at the armory of an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 5.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.07.2010

Story by Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Maurice 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Traversing the streets of Iraq to deliver supplies to U.S. troops downrange comes with its share of danger. Combat truckers with the 586th Air Expeditionary Group must remain vigilant during each mission - armed and ready in case of an attack.

It's for this reason that Senior Airman Alex Houston's job as a 586th AEG armorer is so important.

"My job enables the safety and security of the convoy teams going outside the wire throughout the Iraqi theater," said the Jacksonville, N.C. native deployed from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, S.C. "I help ensure their ability to get to the required forward operating bases with peace of mind."

As one of the convoy unit's armorers, Houston inventories all of the unit's weapons, ammunition and night vision goggle devices daily. The two and a half-year Air Force veteran also issues weapons and ammunition to outgoing convoy teams and stores weapons for incoming teams.

"I maintain the weapons that are stored making sure they are combat ready and functional," he said.

A change of pace from his home station job with the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron, where he manages, controls and issues key supply assets for base personnel; Houston said he is enjoying his time here as an armorer.

"I've been lucky to work with a good group of people, so just knowing that they're here makes my job that much better," he said. "But also, supply has set me up with the knowledge and experience to keep me versatile in meeting Air Force needs in the armory."

Houston said that while the long hours and meticulous inventory procedures can be wearying at times, the experience of deploying makes it well worth it.

"I love deploying because no matter what job I'm doing or what FOB I'm at, I always have rewarding experiences and make a lot of great friends," he said.

Now serving on his second deployment, his first to an austere location in Iraq, Houston said this latest deployment brings with it a few perks over the last.

"I'm enjoying a hard billet FOB along with the opportunity to interact with people from our sister services," he said.

Houston noted that in addition to his job, he is trying to be productive in his downtime here, studying to make staff sergeant, taking college courses toward his bachelor's degree and working out at the gym with friends.

"I'm trying to make the most of my time here," said the Richlands High School, N.C. 2007 graduate. "This has been a great deployment so far."

• Date Taken: 05.07.2010
• Date Posted: 05.07.2010 03:50
• Story ID: 49273
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)