Faces of RAF Mildenhall

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tracy L. DeMarco
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Editors Note: "Faces of RAF Mildenhall" is a periodic feature we will be producing to highlight some of the people who work and live on the base. The feature will include Airmen, Department of Defense and Ministry of Defence employees. Anyone interested in nominating someone for the feature can contact Geoff Janes at DSN 238-2298, Karen Abeyasekere at DSN 238-4018 or Tech. Sgt. Tracy Demarco at DSN 238-3385. Subjects of the feature should not be facing any adverse administrative actions.

Airman Joshua Gray works as an aircraft hydraulics systems specialist for the 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He originally hails from Indianapolis, Ind., and is the eldest of three siblings serving in the armed forces. RAF Mildenhall was the second choice on his dream sheet leaving technical school, and he has been here for about 19 months.

Recently I spent some time with Airman Gray while he was on the job. The following is an excerpt from our conversation. When it was complete, my uniform held the subtle stench of slippery hydraulic fluid, and I realized he was the perfect candidate for our first installment in the new "Faces of RAF Mildenhall" series.

Q. When and why did you join the Air Force?

A. November 15, 2005. I always wanted to join the Air Force, I just got side tracked for about five years.

Q. Did you enter with aircraft hydraulics as a guaranteed job?

A. Yes, I grew up outside of Williams Air Force Base in Arizona. I knew a few guys that were in hydro back then, and they seemed to enjoy it.

Q. Your siblings also serve in the military, what do they do?

A. My brother Jon is active duty Army. He's a cannon crew member and is currently at Camp Anaconda, Iraq. My sister Jackie is an office clerk in the Indiana Army National Guard.

Q. What do you love about your job the most?

A. When I joined the Air Force I knew I wanted to work on aircraft. Most of the time we work outside on the flight line and there's something different going on every day.

Q. What's the most exciting thing you've done in the Air Force thus far?

A. I'd have to say the temporary duties we get to go on. So far I've been to Spain a couple of times, Germany, Crete, and back to the United States.

Q. Are you looking forward to deployment? Why?

A. Yes, I'm going to be here until 2010, I think a change of scenery and jobs will be good for a little while.

Q. How long do you plan on staying in the Air Force?

A. I'm going to take it 10 years at a time. As of right now, I plan on staying in.

Q. What would it take to make you stay in until retirement?

A. It wouldn't take much. I'm leaning towards being a 'lifer.'

Q. What hobbies do you have?

A. Golf, travel, and sleeping.

Q. What are some of your short term and long term goals?

A. I want to get a bachelors degree and then my masters hopefully in the aircraft engineering field.

Q. What advice would you give to new Airmen just entering the Air Force?

A. Be a sponge, listen to the more experienced people in your shop. Never let a noncommissioned officer outwork you, and keep an open mind.