JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Airman 1st Class Kevin Banas is a member of the 14th Airlift Squadron and is currently stationed overseas on his first deployment after arriving at Joint Base Charleston five months ago.
His temporary duty location is in the Middle East where he is assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.
In his deployed unit, Airman Banas serves as an aircraft loadmaster. On top of flying on deployed missions, he also remains studious in accomplishing his Career Development Course work.
"I am responsible for knowing my job and ensuring the safety of the crew, passengers, the aircraft and cargo. The purpose and mission is to transport troops and equipment to and from Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "The impact is having combat-ready troops supplied with the equipment they need to get the job done."
While at Joint Base Charleston, Airman Banas is assigned to the 14 AS in much the same role, he said.
"My job is to preflight the aircraft, to load and unload cargo, monitor it during flight, transport passengers and ensure their safety while on the plane, and to also deal with any paperwork that comes along with the cargo or passengers," he said. "My role is to know my job and execute it safely to move the mission ... the mission remains the same at Charleston except at a slower pace and the deployment is focused on a more specific area. Personally you are away from home, but so is everyone else around you, so it doesn't take that long to adjust."
While at home station, Airman Banas has shown he also knows the value of giving back in more ways than just his Air Force specialty by volunteering in the local community and at base functions.
"In the short time I was at Charleston before I started going on missions, I got to volunteer at a NASCAR race as well as on base at two golf outings," he said.
He also enjoys various sporting activities in his free time.
"Off duty I enjoy hockey, football and weight-lifting the most, but anything to stay active. I also plan on enrolling in college courses for the summer semester," he said.
This "warrior of the week" hails from Taylor, Mich., near Detroit. He joined the Air Force just over a year ago and said his goals are to complete a bachelor's degree and possibly go on to apply for Officer Training School and receive a commission.
According to Airman Banas, his deployment has broadened his view on the impact he can have on the lives of others by doing as much as he can to complete the mission and get everything where it needs to go.
"My favorite aspect of my career field is that I have an effect on so many people, whether it is moving troops, medical supplies, equipment and vehicles, ammunition or retirees just looking for a ride," he said. "I found that out when I started flying missions on this deployment."
According to Airman Banas' supervisor, Staff Sgt. Matt Efird, 816 EAS loadmaster, a loadmaster like Airman Banas is a valued asset in an expeditionary environment.
"In the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of flying with Airman Banas. He is a great Airman, along with a very good loadmaster," he said. "He is currently finishing with his CDCs and afterwards plans to pursue his Community College of the Air Force degree. Airman Banas is adjusting well to his first deployment. His peers speak very highly of him both on a personal and professional level."