News

Reservist gets out from behind the desk and into the mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Celestine
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., --  While the mission of airlift is the bread and butter of the 446th Airlift Wing, a good majority of the Reservists in the unit never experience that mission first hand. Certainly it would be hard to imagine any need to have a finance management specialist on an airlift mission.

Despite his desk-bound job, Senior Master Sgt. Alfredo Cruz, 446th AW financial management, finally got the opportunity to experience what aircrews experience on regular basis as he took part in a humanitarian mission to Africa this past summer.

Sergeant Cruz was one of 11 McChord Airmen who took part in Exercise Silver Eagle, a joint exercise between the Army and Air Force in which they deliver equipment and supplies, and provide training to military troops in African countries like Senegal and Mali. The supplies and training are provided to support African governments' fights against insurgents.

Sergeant Cruz, a Silverdale, Wash., resident, said he felt privileged to be part of this exercise because the aircrew was made up solely of 446th AW Reservists and he got to see firsthand the types of missions the wing is involved in around the globe.

"I got to see the great humanitarian work we at the 446AW do, to help other countries maintain their security defenses," said the Reservist of 15 years. The sergeant added it didn't hurt that his family was excited he was involved in the exercise because, as he cheerfully said, "not everyone gets to go to Africa."

Sergeant Cruz, who hails from the Philippines, said he was the paying agent who paid all navigational and landing fees on this mission. The NCO said all FM personnel should work as a paying agent at least once in their career because they will develop skills that are vital in a deployed environment.

Lt. Col. Kathy Mercer, 446th AW/FM comptroller, said Sergeant Cruz was the right man for the job.

"Not only did Sergeant Cruz want to go, but his attention to detail was a definite asset to this exercise," said the colonel, who in her civilian job is the deputy comptroller with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash.

Sergeant Cruz said the exercise gave him a newfound respect for the Reserve aircrews that are always on the go. He said he also gained a better understanding of the types of missions they carry out every day.

"I was enlightened watching them work," said Sergeant Cruz, who is a budget analyst with the wing in his civilian capacity. "I am personally grateful to Technical Sergeant Kevin Hawes with the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He literally took care of me, seeing that I was the only non-aircrew member. Sergeant Hawes definitely knew what the Wingman concept was all about."

Sergeant Cruz encourages any Reservist in a non-flying position to jump at any opportunity to go on a mission when the call for volunteers goes out.

"There's no better way to learn about and learn to appreciate the great mission this wing has," said Sergeant Cruz.