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NCO manages deployed fitness center operations

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
One of the most used facilities at a deployed base is the fitness center. In the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing encampment, Staff Sgt. James Woomack helps keep the fitness center open 24 hours a day by conquering the night shift and aiding more than 1,900 deployed members.

"We help keep the base fit to fight," said Sergeant Woomack, a services craftsman deployed with the 380th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. "I'm here every night keeping the fitness center open and making sure the facilities are clean and the water is full."

Deployed from the 92nd Force Support Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Sergeant Woomack's job in the fitness center at this non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia fits right with his career field's extensive job description.

In regards to fitness, Sergeant Woomack's official Air Force job description shows he's required to trains unit fitness monitors to conduct unit fitness evaluations, explains concepts of fitness requirements, explain and demonstrate proper conditioning procedures, weight training, and aerobic equipment techniques.

"Most of all, we work to promotes physical fitness participation," Sergeant Woomack said. "Being fit-to-fight is crucial to a deployed warfighter's health and well being."

In addition to fitness, Sergeant Woomack can be called to do a number of other things. They include managing and directing services programs, operations and retail operations. Services Airmen also supervise and work in appropriated fund food service activities, lodging activities, recreation and sports programs, linen exchange operations, mortuary affairs programs and manage honor guard teams and services readiness programs.

Services Airmen like Sergeant Woomack are required to maintain mandatory job knowledge of accounting procedures, management principles, merchandising, marketing, automated information systems, use of business machines, food service facility operations, recreation program development, personnel management and a host of other abilities.

Through it all, the 15-year veteran of the Air Force said he's glad he's made the life choice to serve in the military. He also said deployments can reap their own rewards.

"The military itself is a rewarding job and every deployment is what you make of it," Sergeant Woomack said.

The 380th EFSS is a unit within the 380th AEW. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragonlady E-3 Sentry and RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft. The wing is comprised of four groups and 12 squadrons and the wing's deployed mission includes air refueling, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.