SOUTHWEST ASIA - One day he might be taking a KC-10 Extender flight crew to their operations area, and the next he may be operating a forklift moving cargo.
But Staff Sgt. Samuel Tumey takes care of business no matter what he's called to do.
As a vehicle operator for the 380th Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Squadron here, Tumey said he's expected to drive a variety of military and contract vehicles to include tractor-trailers, forklifts, buses, sedans and any other vehicle needed to complete the mission.
"One of the things we do as vehicle operations is move aircrews from their dormitories to the aircraft and back," said Tumey, who is deployed from the 146th Airlift Wing of the California Air National Guard's Channel Island Air National Guard Station at Port Hunnemme, Calif.
"We also pick up and deliver products from the base's front gates to our operating are and we carry the distinguished visitors on their tours of base operations."
The 17-year military veteran - 15 years in the U.S. Army and two in the Air Force - said it takes people like him to keep the wheels turning for the deployed mission.
"Without vehicle operators, the mission would not succeed," said Tumey. "The aircrews carry a lot of equipment and it would make it very difficult to get to their aircraft without the use of a vehicle. Without vehicles and people to drive them, base operations would grind to a halt."
Tumey said his deployed experience goes back to Operation Restore Hope where he served overseas in Somalia for two tours with the Army as well as for Operation Iraqi Freedom in a an extended tour in Iraq.
His current deployment is his first with the Air Force, but he said during all of them he's been proud to serve with some the best.
"I'm honored to serve in the best military in the world," Tumey said. "I feel a great sense of pride to do what I do and what I have done while deployed."