Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Padilla said he has prepared for his Africa mission alongside his canine partner, Petty Officer 2nd Class Brit E295.Brit is a German shepherd explosives-detecting dog and Padilla is his human handler. Both sailors are assigned to the U.S. Naval Security Forces Military Working Dog Unit based here. Padilla said he and Brit have trained together for more than six months, noting they’re going to Djibouti to deter terrorism there. "I am excited,â€Â Padilla said. “It is a little different because I am not going alone; I am going with my buddy so I will have someone to play and work with.â€Â This is Padilla’s first deployment since he joined the Navy four years ago. Brit, however, has performed such assignments in the past. "He is a very experienced dog. He has been deployed a few times with a few handlers," Padilla said of his canine partner. "So when we get out there, I am sure he will show me a few things." A native of San Antonio, Padilla said he and Brit trained hard to prepare for their mission. "We spend every day together," Padilla said. "We train constantly, playing detection games. We also do obedience training where we practice different commands and throw a ball around.â€Â In Djibouti, Padilla said he and Brit “will be doing the same counterterrorism routine we are doing here and everything we both learned will be put to the test.â€Â The base's security department here has been deploying military dogs and their handlers for some time, Padilla said. Navy Chief Petty Officer Mandy Holt, the unit's kennel master and the senior noncommissioned officer in Padilla's chain of command in Guam, said the number of dogs and handlers deployed at any particular time depends on the demand. "Sometimes we have five dogs out, sometimes we have two dogs out; it all depends on the current situation going on in the deployed area," Holt said. The dogs, she said, go through a thorough training course before they can deploy. She said that handlers here are fortunate to have dogs accustomed to the Guam heat. "The dogs here are well prepared," Holt said, adding that "most kennels must adjust to heat over in hot areas.â€Â She said that Brit's experience and Padilla's initiative, determination, and work ethic make the pair a great team that will do fine in Djibouti. Padilla said he is looking forward to the challenge, especially since he knows his "battle-buddy" will help him out along the way. Oct. 22, 2010: By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Corwin Colbert- Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

He should be comfortable. After all, he drives commercial 18-wheel trucks for a living when he’s not serving as a tank turret mechanic with the South Carolina Army National Guard’s 178th Field Artillery Regiment.To hear Jackson tell it, however, the job isn’t as easy as he makes it look. “There’s a big difference between driving these MRAPs and driving my regular big rig,â€Â he said. “Back home, big rigs are designed so you have great visibility of the road. Here, I have to rely on my truck commander and gunner to help paint a better picture of my surroundings. Plus, the roads here aren’t ever flat, so I have to constantly keep vigilant so I don’t bounce my passengers around.â€Â The provincial reconstruction team’s mission, Jackson said, is to assist in the stabilization and security of Paktika, a large province on the eastern Afghan border near the Pakistan tribal areas. But rather than actively combating insurgent activity, the team focuses on improving the livelihood of the province’s people by helping them with health care, development, governance and agriculture. Jackson said his role is to ensure his passengers’ safety as they travel to different places, whether it’s meetings with provincial government leaders or to check up on provincial reconstruction team projects. Members of Jackson’s unit are assigned as security forces for their fellow soldiers, airmen and sailors. They act as force-protection experts, provide personal security for team members and ensure as much safety as possible during missions outside the perimeter of their headquarters. “Jackson is one of the best soldiers I have in my squad,â€Â said Army Staff Sgt. Kenneth Messick of Spartanburg, S.C., Jackson’s squad leader. “If I need something done, Jackson’s often my man to do it. He’s definitely one of the most-trusted guys in my squad, and will work tirelessly until whatever it is he’s doing is completed.â€Â In addition to driving, Jackson has become one of the best maintainers of the entire unit, a job he takes just as seriously as his driving. “I love the maintenance part of being a security force member,â€Â Jackson said. “By helping with maintenance, I ensure that all the vehicles in our convoy are always ready for action. We have a tight schedule on mission days, so if I can lend a hand ahead of time and fix any problems before they come up, I ensure the safe travel of passengers in the convoy and ultimately that’s my job.â€Â Jackson’s teammates and chain of command notice his work ethic. “Jackson is very thorough in everything he doesâ€Â said Army Sgt. 1st Class Jermaine Jones, a native of Greenville, S.C., and Jackson’s platoon sergeant. “The difference between Jackson and many of our soldiers is not only can he drive, but he can switch gears instantly and be just as effective at fixing the vehicle. If I ask Jackson to do something, I always know without a doubt it’ll be done on time and done correctly.â€Â Oct. 20, 2010: By Air Force 1st Lt. Mark Lazane- Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team

She’d better not be. It’s her job.Ingram is a broadcast producer deployed to American Forces Network Afghanistan from the AFN affiliate at the Royal Air Force base in Feltwell, England. The Las Vegas native, who’s nearing the end of her second deployment, said assertiveness was ingrained in her throughout her childhood, most notably by her mother. “My mom was my rock growing up,â€Â she said. “She taught me to be strong, independent and outspoken. I use every single one of those things every day in the Air Force. The strength my mom had when she was raising me is something I’ve always looked up to, and it’s something I’ve tried to emulate as much as I can as an adult.â€Â Besides her mother, other key influencers helped to make Ingram the person she is today. “My grandfather, a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, is someone I definitely looked up to growing up,â€Â she said. “I never felt pressured that I had any sort of family legacy to carry on, but I always knew I wanted to do something that would make him proud, and this is it. But that’s not the only reason I joined the Air Force. I wanted to do something bigger than what the majority of those around me were doing after we graduated high school.â€Â Though it would be natural for any parents to be apprehensive about letting their daughter run off and join the military at 18 years old, Ingram said, her family never showed it. “When I decided to join the Air Force back in 2001, my parents were immensely proud and very supportive,â€Â Ingram said. “They just wanted me to do something that would make me happy. I think they’ve always been -- my mom, especially -- a little saddened that I wasn’t at home, but that doesn’t stop them from supporting me as much as they can throughout my career.â€Â Her decision has taken her to several different countries, she noted, and has given her incalculable experiences to carry on throughout her life. “There have been so many things I’ve been able to accomplish over the past nine and a half years that I’m proud of,â€Â she said. "My two combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, however, stand out for me. We all think we’re strong people, that we can handle all things that come our way, but you sometimes don’t get a chance to find out. “I think I came out of my first deployment, and I will come out of this deployment, a much stronger person and much more sure of myself,â€Â she continued. “I’ll always be proud I was able to serve my country in wartime.â€Â Though Ingram said she cherishes the experiences and lessons she has had over the past decade, a new chapter is about to unfold in her life and the life of her daughter. Early next year, Ingram will leave the Air Force after 10 years of active-duty service and plans to complete her college education and eventually teach high school history and English. “Leaving the military will be hard, but I’m grateful that being in the military has given me some great tools I’ll use my whole life, especially when I become a teacher,â€Â she said. “The Air Force has given me some really valuable ‘people’ skills, especially this particular job, as I’ve had the opportunity to train a lot of broadcasters. I think that will help me when I eventually transition into a classroom environment, and I have to deal with several students at once, each with differing personalities, and get results from them.â€Â Ingram said she learned another lesson from her mother early in life that has guided her decision making. “I learned early on to stand up for what you believe in, even if you’re standing alone,â€Â she said. “It’s always given me a moral ground and guide to focus on. My mom always wanted me to be my own person, and I think that really helped push me to be independent, and I’m thankful for that lesson.â€Â Ever the instructor, Ingram has words of advice for those coming into the military today. “No matter how long you’re in, whether it’s two weeks or 20 years, everything will change with time,â€Â she said. “But rest assured [that] what you do while you’re in the military will define you forever. Your experience in the military will change you, so let it change you for the better.â€Â Oct. 19, 2010: By Air Force 1st Lt. Mark Lazane- Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team

Patrick said he was first assigned to the 480th Fighter Squadron in 1991 as an Airman 1st Class, who took care of aircraft scheduling, weather briefings and pilot requirement tracking."The 480th FS was my second duty assignment after only one year at Homestead Air Force Base, Fla.," Patrick said. "I was an Airman 1st Class brought in as a temporary NCO in charge of the shop until an actual NCO could fill the position."It wasn't long before then-airman Patrick went on his first deployment with the 480th to Saudi Arabia, where during his downtime he sought mentorship and guidance from his first sergeant. "I would spend a lot of time with our first sergeant, and I've wanted to be a 'shirt' ever since then," he said. "He showed me it was all about helping people and not constantly yelling or demanding things from those below you in rank." Nearly 20 years later, Patrick has come full circle and is humbled by the fact that he has filled the boots of his first Air Force mentor. "Being chosen as the 480th FS first sergeant for this deployment is a big deal to me, because this is where it all started," Patrick said, "I've been in the Air Force now for 22 years and will test for senior master sergeant this year in the hope of continuing my Air Force career." Patrick talks about the airmen on this deployment with pride, knowing that 20 years after he first served with the 480th FS they are continuing the squadron's historic mission. "The 480th FS is a warfighting squadron which has a long history of greatness," he said, adding he can’t “say enough about our airmen, who are working on these aircraft and supporting our mission." Oct. 18, 2010: By Air Force Maj. Jillian Torango- 52nd Fighter Wing