CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Master Sgt. Mark Normand is a member of the 437th Maintenance Operations Squadron and has been stationed at Charleston AFB since November 1998.
He is currently deployed to Kuwait as the NCO in charge of the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group Expeditionary Maintenance Operations Center.
As the NCOIC of the MOC, his job at his deployed location draws a close parallel to what he does at home station. He oversees maintenance operations and coordinates any technical requirements for technicians working the flightline. At home, he ensures unit visibility to both group and wing level; however, while in the area of responsibility, his reports go straight to U.S. Air Force Central Command.
Sergeant Normand contributes to Team Charleston's mobility mission by keeping America's C-17-based strategic airlift on time and flying high.
"I like my job because the sense of camaraderie I get while working in a deployed location is overwhelming," said Sergeant Normand. "Anyone who knows me knows I am about getting the job done. While I am deployed, I find myself surrounded by folks ready, willing and able to do just that."
This "warrior of the week" hails from Plaucheville, La. He enlisted in the Air Force nearly 20 years ago because he said he felt like doing more for his country.
"I want to continue in my capacity as an aircraft mechanic because that is my personal preference," said Sergeant Normand. "When I retire, I hope to get a government contractor job along the same lines."
He is also currently part of the deployed Top 3 Association and provides guidance to the Rising 6 organization.
"Sergeant Normand possesses a hard-charging and get-the-job-done attitude that couldn't be more appropriate for our Air Force needs," said Senior Master Sgt. Gerard Komen, 437 MOS Maintenance Operations Flight superintendent. "When I asked for a volunteer to fill a senior maintenance operations center controller position in the area of responsibility, it was no surprise to see him rise to the occasion. While deployed, he unhesitatingly rendered assistance to a flying crew chief aboard one of Team Charleston's C-17s and troubleshot and corrected an auxiliary power unit failure in order to launch our aircraft on time. I am very proud of his work ethic and know I can count on him to give his very best."