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Deployed Andrews communicator, Bronx native, supports combat zone COMM needs

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Delgado
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Every day Airman Adam J. Gonzalez, deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, finds himself on the front lines.

In a May 2009 letter to Airmen, Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, said, "In executing our Air Force mission of fly, fight, and win, our Airmen, civilians and contractors, knowingly or unknowingly, engage daily on the cyber battlefield." Airman Gonzalez, a cyber transport apprentice, is a member of the communications focal point, or CFP, and performs his duties on the front lines of the cyber battlefield.

According to the Air Force fact sheet, the cyber transport career field was established on Nov. 1, 2009. Cyber transport personnel establish and sustain Air Force communication systems. They perform network design, configuration, operation, defense, restoration, and improvements. Cyber transport personnel also analyze capabilities and performance, identify problems, and take corrective action. They manage wiring and associated network infrastructure devices. In short, they are computer network hardware and communication equipment specialists.

Of his job, Airman Gonzalez said, "On a daily basis, the CFP briefs the squadron leadership on the internet and telecommunications status of the base. Throughout the day the CFP staff provides response to various incident reports, which can vary from user account difficulties to major outages across the deployed areas."

A one-year, 10-month Air Force veteran, Airman Gonzalez is deployed from the 744th Communications Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The 2004 graduate of Laguardia High School said his deployed duties significantly impact the deployed mission.

"The CFP serves as the middle man between the customer and the various communications-based response departments. Without the CFP, the base would have no communications and no functionality."

Airman Gonzalez grew up in what he calls the "Boogey Down Bronx," and was on his way to "becoming a New York state corrections officer while studying to become a New York state trooper."

Then Airman Gonzalez changed his mind and changed his plans. "Instead, I joined the military in order to serve my country rather than just my state. I am very proud to wear the uniform that many great American heroes wore before me."

It was no easy accomplishment for Airman Gonzalez to join the military. "Prior to my enlistment I was obese, weighing in at upwards of 230 pounds. At my first recruitment interview I was informed that I would need to lose weight in order to be eligible for basic training. In a matter of six months I lost over 70 pounds."

Airman Gonzalez continues to keep fitness as part of his lifestyle and helps other Airmen with their fitness goals. "I currently weigh less than 145 pounds and am a physical training leader for the 380th ECS."

Airman Gonzalez and his team keep the lines of communication flowing for more than 1,200 Airmen assigned to the 380th AEW. The 380th AEW 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 wing supports operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.