Walking with the Green Feet – AF Special Warfare

Walking with the Green Feet

From 18 WG Public Affairs:

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andres Cervantes, 31st Rescue Squadron command support staff, stands in front of a rock climbing wall Jan. 11, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 31st RQS trains, equips and employs combat-ready pararescue specialists. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

*Specialtactics.com Note: The STS/RQS support staff is what makes a battlefield airman unit run on the inside.  While operators are out upgrading and training, the selfless backside support is scheduling your ranges, ensuring you have the right equipment, making sure you get paid, and keeping the bulk of the mundane but required administrative tasks off your plate.  If and when you become an operator, NEVER forget to thank these guys for what they do; often times a thankless job.  They are solely there to support YOU and they deserve some personal TLC whenever available.

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan —
By Senior Airman Quay Drawdy

The Airmen of the 31st Rescue Squadron provide invaluable rescue services and conduct training, ranging from fast-rope rescue drills over land and sea to practice insertions by parachuting from aircraft. Those that do the job perform their duties quickly and effectively, but they could never pull it off without the work that goes on behind the beating of the helicopters blades. 

Senior Airman Andres Cervantes, 31st RQS command support staff, is one of the few members keeping the well-oiled machine of the 31st rolling without a hitch. 

“This is the best assignment I’ve ever had,” said Cervantes. “I wake up ready to come to work, making sure all of the tasks and requests from commanders or major commands can be worked by the squadron.” 

According to Cervantes, working with such a fast-paced squadron like the 31st RQS requires dedication and a willingness to find the harder solutions. 

“Airman Cervantes is an incredibly motivated troop,” said Senior Master Sgt. Nathan Cox, 31st RQS superintendent. “He’s always ready to step in to fill any gaps and is always eager to learn, taking opportunities to lead because he wants to do it. He has a fire in him that can’t be taught.” 

Coordination behind the scenes is a large part of what CSS members do. When it comes to a squadron that is always itching to jump into, or out of, an aircraft, however, managing the records is only half of the battle. 

“I look for ways to reduce stress and make things easier for the guys,” said Cervantes. “Making sure they get paid correctly for their flights, deployments or a temporary duty assignment is a big part, but little things count, too. Making sure there is a hot plate of food ready for someone coming in from a long flight or just arriving to us is one small thing I can do to make things easier on them.” 

Aside from the small comforts of providing something to eat after a rough trip, Cervantes works on larger projects to help keep morale up for not only the Airmen, but their families, as well. 

“I work closely with the booster club, a non-profit organization that helps pay for morale events,” said Cervantes. “Parties for inbound or outbound members are pretty common, but Rescue Fest is our biggest event. We invite out the families and anyone else from around base that wants to attend. This year, the task fell to me a bit more due to some of the other members being TDY.” 

Working to keep morale high and trainings up-to-date are motivators in their own right, but Cervantes has a bit more pushing him forward. 

“Family is a big driver for me,” said Cervantes. “I’m the first in my family to enlist and it helps me set an example for my brothers and my kids. I’m working toward taking advantage of the Palace Front program to take part in ROTC to ultimately commission. I want to set my family up as much as possible, so they keep me motivated.” 

With all of his work and positive attitude, it’s no surprise Cervantes will be missed when he moves on to his next duty station. 

“We’ll continue down the current path and keep Cervantes as long as he’ll stay around,” said Cox. “He’s got a cheerful personality, very professional and makes the room a bit brighter. It gives me hope for his future.”

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