JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Tech. Sgt. Roy "Allen" Foster Jr. is a member of the 437th Maintenance Squadron and has been stationed at Joint Base Charleston for more than four years.
Having recently returned from a deployment to the Middle East with the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Balad, Sergeant Foster has rejoined Team Charleston as the 437 MXS Munitions Flight assistant flight chief.
"It is a pleasure to have Sergeant Foster back home," said Master Sgt. Chad Gowan, flight chief for the 437 MXS Munitions Flight. "He worked outside of the flight for two years prior to this deployment, so it is really nice to have him back in ammo."
In his deployed unit, Sergeant Foster worked as a munitions line delivery supervisor. His duties included reviewing the daily flying schedule, verifying munitions requirements for each sortie and coordinating munitions deliveries with weapons load teams. His responsibilities included ensuring the safe inspection, assembly, handling and transportation of all munitions and to ensure all personnel were trained and qualified to make the mission happen.
"Our mission is to deliver safe and reliable bombs, bullets and missiles to our pilots," said Sergeant Foster. "When working with explosives, your first thought must be safety. That never changes ... If I do my job correctly, the impact will leave a smoking hole."
Sergeant Foster isn't new to deployed life. His previous deployments include Prince Sultan Air Base, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, from November 2001 to February 2002, as well as Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, N.C., to resupply the A1C William H. Pitsenbarger, a prepositioned ammunition and supply ship.
"All deployments bring unique challenges. I am fortunate to have a great family to help me through the difficult times," he said. "At Balad, I was responsible for ensuring the munitions were assembled and delivered on time, every time. Additionally, being deployed gave me an opportunity to see how other bases operate. I try to learn as much as possible from the people around me, then, figure out how we can become better at home."
At Joint Base Charleston, as an assistant flight chief, Sergeant Foster is responsible for personnel and production within the Munitions Flight. He works on analyzing and interpreting management data, knowing the unit's contingency and operational plans, reviewing and enforcing standards, and ensuring scheduled and unscheduled maintenance actions are identified and completed in a timely manner. As for his favorite aspect of all his work, it's the people he works with day in and day out, he said.
"Nothing beats working hard with great people," Sergeant Foster said.
This "warrior of the week" hails from North Charleston, S.C., and enlisted in the Air Force in September 1999, after some coaxing from his wife to look into the opportunity, he said.
Currently, Sergeant Fosters' goal is to work on completing his master's degree, with only six classes remaining. With the spare time he has, Sergeant Foster looks forward to spending it with his children, he said.
"I have two kids, Ashton, 6 years old, and Arianna, who will be 5 years old July 30 ... Happy Birthday!" Sergeant Foster said.