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From the Frontlines: Senior Airman Gavin Rock

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  With a watchful eye, they observe third-country-nationals, in support of the wartime mission. Deployed TCN duty is one that is entrusted to Airmen.

Senior Airman Gavin Rock, 509th Communication Squadron airfield systems technician, focused on the safety of the base and his fellow Airmen during his deployment to the Transit Center at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, to the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.

He deployed in June 2009, and spent five months contributing to a vital part of the base operation.

"My TCN tasking included a variety of significant details," he said. "I escorted locals onto the base and watched over them while they cleaned the buildings, built new buildings and picked up trash."

TCN contractors provide critical support allowing Airmen to perform their primary combat or combat support duties.

Airman Rock's morning agenda began with a roll call as he awaited his daily duties at the gate.

"Depending on what detail we had scheduled that day would determine on whether we would watch a trash truck, watch people clean or watch people build," he said. "After they were finished for the day, we escorted them off base.

"Situational awareness and vigilance is a must when it comes to TCN duty," said Airman Rock. "I had to keep a close eye on more than 100 workers daily."

Although Airman Rock spent the majority of his time covering a critical part of the war-winning strategy, he also spent time serving as the alternate land mobile radio technician.

"When an escort's radio wasn't working, they brought it to me to fix," he said. "Land mobile radio was a part of my job at Whiteman, but was not my primary duty.

"Here, I work on and maintain ground to air radios, instrument landing systems, weather equipment and tactical air navigation systems," the Airman said.

Aside from his deployed duties, Airman Rock volunteered his time to fix plumbing problems for a local school so they could have running water.

Overall Airman Rock said he enjoyed his first deployment, often using his downtime to hike, white water raft and explore the local area.

"The best part about my deployment was learning about a different culture," he said. "Whether it was talking to the locals while on base or going downtown and seeing the restaurants and malls. It was a cultural experience."

While his deployment was notable, Airman Rock said he missed home and engaging in family activates.

"I am from Kansas City, Mo., so being stationed at Whiteman allowed me to see my family and friends more often," he said. "However, nothing provides me with more pride than to serve my country."