JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Airman 1st Class Calli Marshall is a member of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and has been stationed at Joint Base Charleston since March 2009. She is currently serving in the Middle East with the 8th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron on her first deployment.
In her deployed unit, Airman Marshall works as an electrical and environmental systems journeyman in the maintenance squadron. Her daily duties include maintaining the electrical and environmental systems on C-17 aircraft, solving maintenance malfunctions using wiring diagrams, creating technical publications and analyzing built-in-test functions.
"There isn't much difference in my job here from my job in Charleston," she said. "When deployed, you grow a lot closer to the people you work with and really develop some great friends with members from other bases. It is everything I expected. I'm learning a lot about my job and enjoying it, but I can't wait to go home."
In addition, in her deployed location Airman Marshall helps other career fields with the launching, servicing and recovery of the planes to get them moving off the flight line and down range faster.
"This is my first deployment," she said. "The work is the same but is at a much faster pace. The days seem longer with the 12-hour shifts and the 130 degree heat here in the summer but it is starting to cool down."
In her free time, Airman Marshall enjoys running and volunteering for activities around the base, both while deployed and while at home station.
"Here I am currently the [point of contact] for the [Combined Federal Campaign] that began on Oct. 4," she said. "I also participated in the September 11th 10K run. In Charleston, I volunteer for squadron activity planning."
For Airman Marshall, her goals are to keep deploying and see many more places. From there, she plans to focus on her education to obtain her degree as well as possibly have a side career in culinary baking and pastry.
This "warrior of the week" hails from Powhatan, Va., and entered active-duty service in August 2008.
According to Staff Sergeant Paul Polaski, an electrical and environmental systems craftsmen for the 437th AMXS here in Charleston, Airman Marshall is an outstanding asset to their team.
"A1C Marshall is one of the hardest charging airmen at Charleston AFB," he said. "Her tenacity and love of country drives her to become one of the best technicians in the squadron. I am truly proud to supervise such a quality Airmen."