SOUTHWEST ASIA -- An Airman from the 513th Air Control Group, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, was recently selected as a Rock Solid Warrior while deployed with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing here.
The Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of the 386th AEW for their positive impact and commitment to the mission.
This week’s Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Richard Nimakoh-Boadu, an 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron reception, staging, onward movement and integration technician.
Read the interview with Nimakoh-Boadu below:
Why did you join the Air Force?
"I joined because I needed a sense of purpose and wanted to help protect those who can’t protect themselves."
How is your deployed unit/job different from your home unit/job?
"The people I work with at my home station and deployed unit are not that different. In both places I am surrounded by good senior non-commissioned officers and officers who help me be the best possible. As far as the job goes, I am personnel back home. Here, I deal with members gearing up to move all over the area of responsibility and it can happen at odd times of the day."
What are some of your professional and personal goals?
"My professional goals are to keep moving up in rank, cross over to fire protection and get back in school. My personal goals are to take care of myself, open up my own Spanish food truck, live life to the fullest, stay positive and mentally strong. There’s nothing more sad than getting older and becoming that 'grumpy old man.'”
What is your favorite part of your mission here?
"My favorite part of the mission is knowing I am getting members ready to contribute to the fight."
What are some of your hobbies?
"I enjoy training others in kickboxing and traveling."
What are some of the challenges you face here and how do you overcome them?
"I think the main challenge I’ve faced here is our office is not manned 24/7. So when we have members come in and out in the middle of the night or early morning, I’m the point of contact they reach out to. I overcame it by keeping an open mind, knowing I had a job to do and knowing my members are being taken care of comes first. Another challenge is certain leisure activities are unavailable here."
The 513th Air Control Group's mission is to provide theater and Air Force commanders with trained aircrews and maintenance personnel and systems for airborne surveillance, warning and control of U.S. and allied military aircraft.
The group is a Air Combat Command associate organization, which merges Reserve units with active duty units for joint use of aircraft, equipment and workload.
The 513th ACG's subordinate units include the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron, the 513th Operations Support Squadron, the 513th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 513th Maintenance Squadron.