SOUTHWEST ASIA -- During his deployed time, Maj. Omar Rashid piloted many KC-10 Extender combat air refueling missions for the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at a non-disclosed base here. The instructor pilot, in supporting those missions, had a significant impact in the success of deployed operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, statistics show.

According to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing History Office, in the first three months of 2010, Airmen supporting the KC-10 deployed air refueling mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility helped the KC-10 fly more than 1,000 sorties off-loading more than 108 million pounds of fuel to more than 6,600 aircraft in support of combat operations.

Before returning in May 2010, Major Rashid was deployed from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron, 305th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Also in the first quarter of 2010, Major Rashid helped support more than 500 "troops in contact" events, meaning KC-10 Airmen refueled aircraft that were providing air-to-ground support for troops in contact with enemy forces on the front lines. The major said supporting the troops on the ground is essential to the success of their mission.

"It's essential to have gas ready to go for our weaponized aircraft, especially in areas like Afghanistan," Major Rashid said. "Without tanker support, our aircraft would be severely limited in sortie generation and close-air support capabilities which in turn affects the troops on the ground fighting on the front lines."

According to his official Air Force job description as a tanker pilot, Major Rashid pilots tanker aircraft and commands crews to accomplish air refueling, airlift, training and other missions. He plans and prepares for missions, reviews mission tasking, intelligence and weather information and supervises mission planning, preparation and filing of flight plans and crew briefings.

The job description also states that tanker pilots like Major Rashid ensure aircraft are pre-flighted, inspected, loaded, equipped and manned for missions. In addition to piloting the aircraft and commanding the crew, he operates aircraft controls and equipment and performs, supervises, or "directs navigation, in-flight refueling and weapons delivery."

Furthermore, Major Rashid conducts and supervises training of crewmembers, ensures the operational readiness of the crew by conducting or supervising mission specific training, and develops plans and policies, monitors operations, and advises commanders. He also assists commanders and performs staff functions related tanker pilot duties.

Every time he flies the KC-10, the job description also shows that he must maintain mandatory job knowledge in the theory of flight, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures and mission tactics.

In being in the military, Major Rashid said it's a small price to pay for the freedoms he's protecting.

"While difficult for the family, it's a commitment that needs to be made," Major Rashid said. "A small sacrifice on ours and our families part goes a long way to achieving our nation's national security goals."

Though he's returned to his home unit and his family, Major Rashid, whose hometown is Chandler, Ariz., said he knows his fellow KC-10 Airmen will continue to "be the best" at what they do.

"We excel at this job because we care about our fellow service members," Major Rashid said. "Tankers bring fuel to the fight. To that end, we are our brother's keepers. We must not fail."

The 908th EARS is a sub-unit of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The wing is home to the KC-10 Extender, U-2 Dragon Lady, 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, air battle management, and intelligence, 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.