From The Frontlines: Staff Sgt. Joseph Hausman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shelby R. Orozco
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  When the option came to deploy again, Staff Sgt. Joseph Hausman, 509th Munitions Squadron conventional maintenance crew chief, knew he wanted to go.

Hausman, who is deployed to Southeast Asia, left in April of this year and will be returning in October. He works as an ammo troop with the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron.

His job while deployed is a bit different than his job here at Whiteman, allowing him to experience different areas of the ammo career field.

"I work in the Munitions Storage Area," said Hausman. "Most ammo troops are assigned to one section at their respective base, but here I have a hand in storing, inspecting, delivering and accounting for all the munitions assigned to this base as well as munitions that are in transit to other locations in our area of responsibility. Back at Whiteman, I was assigned to the conventional maintenance section that was only responsible for building the munitions payload that goes into the B-2 Spirits."

Although his day-to-day operations vary, his main mission is to provide munitions for the defense systems on the C-130 aircrafts assigned to his base, along with inspecting and storing munitions for the base's security forces members.

"There are days spent entirely on downloading expended munitions from C-130s and replenishing them with new ones," said Hausman. "But we also spend time reorganizing the base stockpile of munitions to better meet the base's needs, or even doing periodic inspections on munitions in storage to ensure they have not been damaged."

Hausman is thankful for his wide range of duties, which have provided him with new knowledge of his career field.

"Since arriving here I have gotten a better look into all aspects of ammo, which in turn is very helpful in furthering my career as an ammo troop," said Hausman. "I'd say that has been the best part of this deployment - just the amount of knowledge I have gained since my arrival."

Although Hausman has enjoyed his time deployed, he still misses home.

"Without a doubt the thing I miss most is my family," said Hausman. "Being away from my wife has been very hard but in the long run I know it will only make our relationship that much stronger, and I just want her to know I love her."

When Hausman is not working or thinking about his family, he spends his time focusing on volunteer work.

"I try to volunteer as much as I can," said Hausman. "I have volunteered several times with tearing down and cleaning up after the monthly cultural bazaars here, and I am currently working with our explosive ordnance disposal team, [and] helping them clear our explosive range of any unexploded ordnance."

His supervisor at Whiteman, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Atherton, 509th MUNS conventional maintenance NCO in charge, is very proud of Hausman and all he has accomplished.

"Sgt. Hausman is an excellent Airman; he is very knowledgeable and intelligent," said Atherton. "His work ethic is above reproach and is evidenced [by] his promotion to staff sergeant on his first try. Although he is a brand-new NCO, we know he is one of the best we have. His success down-range comes as no surprise and I feel the sky is the limit for him, and we expect him to continue to do great things throughout his Air Force career."

Hausman went into his deployment with goals of self-improvement and has met success there, as well.

"My main goal was to leave this deployment knowing I am a better person," said Hausman. "I am using it as a tool to better myself not only mentally but also physically. Since arriving I have gained a lot of valuable job knowledge and completed my 7-level online training. Physically I've managed to lose 35 pounds since my arrival. I feel that I have accomplished both of my goals and that makes this deployment a success."

As an Airman, Hausman, who was recently award NCO of the month, truly puts service before self.

"Ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you I am a very patriotic person," said Hausman. "This deployment and my previous one were both voluntary. If being deployed is what's asked of me, I have no problem fulfilling my duty."