JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Senior Airman Andy Nail is a member of the 437th Maintenance Squadron and is currently on his first deployment since arriving at Joint Base Charleston just over two years ago.
His temporary duty location is in the Middle East where he is assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron.
In his deployed unit, Airman Nail serves as an aircraft structural maintainer and is responsible for the structural integrity of all the airframes which rotate through his deployed base.
"A structural maintainer repairs damage to the airframes. If it's cracked we repair it; if it's dented we fix it; if it can corrode we prevent it," he said. "We are essentially responsible for the aircraft to be structurally sound for the safety of the pilots flying them. The purpose of my job is only one of the key essentials to keeping the Air Force mission on its forward path."
While at Joint Base Charleston, Airman Nail is assigned to the 437th MXS in much the same role, he said.
"The only difference is that I am only one of the few that are familiar with the C-17 airframe [while deployed], so I serve a larger impact here toward prompt damage evaluations and repairs for the C-17s," he said. "This has helped me become more efficient in my quest to become the best in this career field as I possibly can be.
"I knew this deployment was going to be a challenge, and it has. Working on and learning different airframes has been the biggest challenge. We don't always have someone familiar with the specific airframe that we are working on, so it becomes a new challenge each day, looking through new or different technical orders to find out operating procedures, limitations, or repairs."
Airman Nail knows what it means to go above and beyond. While at home station just before his deployment, his values were displayed in voluntarily constructing a distinguished visitor placard for Joint Base Charleston C-17s.
"I actually designed and fabricated a new DV placard for the C-17s, which I presented to Col. Livingood [437th Maintenance Group commander] prior to my deployment," he said. "The placard is placed in the kick window of the aircraft, to announce the presence of an officer, O-6 or above, to the ground crew when the aircraft lands."
This "warrior of the week" hails from Sumter, S.C. He joined the Air Force just over three years ago and said his goals are to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering and to make the rank of staff sergeant his first time testing.
According to Airman Nail, the best part of his career is the challenge it presents on each and every repair he performs.
"You have to think on your toes, adapt and overcome," he said. "I expected this career field to be that way coming from a mechanical background. I've earned an occupational technology associate's degree, automotive diploma and picked up two welding certifications at Central Carolina Technical College, in Sumter, S.C."
As for his thoughts on support he has received while deployed, Airman Nail expressed sincere appreciation to his family.
"I would like to thank my family for their relentless support. I couldn't do this without them," he said. "I love you guys."
According to Airman Nail's supervisor, Master Sgt. Ryan Page, 379th EMXS structural maintenance floor supervisor, a technician like Airman Nail is a valued asset in an expeditionary environment.
"Airman Nail has performed at the highest degree of excellence while assigned to the 379th EMXS," Sergeant Page said. "He has shown outstanding knowledge and has become the subject matter expert on all C-17 related issues. The combination of Airman Nail's attention to detail and ability to perform any task with little to no supervision has greatly enhanced the sheet metal shop's abilities to accomplish all mission requirements."