THE MIDDLE EAST –
To the mother of two small children, spending four months away from home wasn't the most appealing idea, especially while her husband was deployed to a separate location, but this is a reality for today's military family.
Master Sgt. Jadirra Velez Walls, 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron C-17 supply noncommissioned officer in charge, is now serving on her third deployment. Like all military members with children, she understands the importance of the mission and accepts the sacrifices she must make while serving her country.
"From a professional point of view, I feel deployments are necessary to accomplish the overall mission," said the Virginia native, deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. "However, as a mother of two young children it's very difficult to leave them, especially now that deployments are becoming more frequent in my career field."
Supply Airmen are a staple at every base, both stateside and abroad. Walls' main mission here is to equip C-17 maintainers with aircraft parts and any other assets needed to accomplish their mission.
"I manage three kit segments in support of C-17 airlift operations," she said. "Additionally, I'm required to ship parts to other theaters of operation in support of the U.S. Air Force mission."
The senior NCO said her days downrange typically begin with a 2-3 mile run, after which she heads to work for another productive day.
"I review issues from turnover and send out e-mails to provide status updates," she said. "For the remainder of the duty day, I respond to parts order requests, receive parts, assist C-130 personnel if needed and supervise my section."
The 15-year veteran realizes the importance of her mission in the Middle East, which plays a big factor in remaining motivated while away from her children and husband.
"My key role is to posture C-17 maintenance with the ability to swap parts and rapidly change components, preventing a break in the chain of airlift sorties," she said. "In doing so, 5th EAMS maintainers are able to provide combat quick-turn maintenance support to vital intra-theater airlift in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom."
One of the unique challenges this most recent deployment brings for the senior NCO is working directly with maintenance.
"At my home station, I fall under [the 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron] and only come into contact with the maintenance units when parts are turned in," she said. "It has been a challenge at times dealing with the maintainer culture. The majority of maintainers have a maintenance language unique to them and they sometimes forget who they are dealing with. I often have to remind them of that."
It's this same challenge of working with new and different people that has also been a highlight of Walls' deployment.
"What I enjoy most is the ability to learn something new," she said. "The individuals who work here are from various sections of supply. It's not possible for someone to know everything, so we often collaborate to obtain the correct answer. In turn, I'm able to gain hands-on experience."
Walls said that while she misses her family back home, she has found ways to keep herself busy between the gym, learning resource center and socializing with new-found friends. But none of this would be possible without the peace of mind of knowing that her children are in good hands right now with her parents.
"My parents have graciously accepted our children into their home for the duration of our deployments to include the remainder of the school year," she said. "They are taking responsibility for their well-being and development - something my husband and I are unable to do at this time because of our dedication to the Air Force."
"Of course, as a mother it's hard for me to leave them in the care of others, but knowing that I can trust and rely on my parents helps to put my mind at ease while deployed."
Walls also appreciates the sacrifices her children have had to make in support of her and her husband's decision to serve in the military.
"I want to thank my children who are enduring the changes that frequent moves bring," she said. "Their ability to adapt amazes me and allows me to realize they'll be fine. So, my thanks and greatest appreciation go to my loved ones."