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Travis traffic management Airman, Roy native, prepares vital shipments for expeditionary wing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  If you need official cargo packed and shipped in a hurry, then Airman 1st Class Te'Anna R. Drake is one of the people to call at a non-disclosed base here.

Airman Drake, a traffic management journeyman with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, packs and ships out official priority shipments to all other bases in the U.S. as well as the deployed area of responsibility. Deployed from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Airman Drake said she has a busy and important role in keeping the deployed mission flowing.

"When a part is needed to help the mission get done, I get it to you," Airman Drake said. "When a part is broken or needs to be shipped to another part of the deployed theater, I get it there in an expedited amount of time."

Besides ensuring parts, such as aircraft parts, are delivered where they need to go, the 2007 graduate of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Wash., also certifies, packs and prepares hazardous material shipments. "My deployed job encompasses a wide array of items that need to be prepared and shipped," said Airman Drake whose hometown is Roy, Wash.

On her first deployment, Airman Drake said she knows that she has an important role to do.

"It feels good to be here, knowing I'm making a difference," Airman Drake said. "Even at times when I think that I'm not contributing to my country, I sit down and really think about it. I'm here, helping each and every one of these people get the supplies they need."

The airman first class also said she knows being deployed is never the easiest thing to do no matter how many times a person has gone "down range."

"It can be hard on everyone here, our families back home and our friends," Airman Drake said. "But they all are so supportive and it makes being here so much better knowing that your family and friends are safe."

As she wraps up her second year in the military and her first deployment, Airman Drake said she'll remember her role in the success of supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia.

"I know I'm helping people and helping defend the freedoms of the people of the United States," Airman Drake said. "That's what makes it all worth it."

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.