15th AW Airman steps up for RIMPAC

Published July 12, 2012
By Capt. Joe Blubaugh
190th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- During a large scale military exercise, there are always individuals that step up and perform at a level that is way above their pay grade. That's no different for the Rim of the Pacific exercise being conducted here.

One of those individuals is 15th Wing Plans Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Staff Sgt. Daniel Baker. Normally a C-17 Loadmaster, Baker was tasked during the early planning stages of this year's RIMPAC as one of the personnel that would see the exercise through, from concept to execution.

Baker was the original planner for the 15th WG and was tasked to provide input on behalf of the wing and gauge the impact the exercise was going to have on flightline operations. He has attended all the planning conferences leading up to the exercise and has been a consistent voice for the wing at those events.

The work Baker is doing hasn't gone unnoticed by wing leadership. 15th Wing Executive Officer Maj. Lloyd Richardson has also been involved with RIMPAC since the early planning stages.

"Staff Sgt. Baker has been an integral part of the team as Wing Plans has been very heavily involved with the exercise," said Richardson. "It was natural for him to be in this job, but this is not a natural job just from the sheer magnitude of it. He has gone above and beyond with the work that he has done."

Now that the exercise is here, Baker's role has transitioned from a planner to a liaison. With 15 different units - including 3 from foreign nations - utilizing the ramp at Hickam, there are bound to be issues that arise every day.

"He is stretched so thin dealing with international units and frankly he is doing an amazing job - better than my expectations," added Richardson. "He is doing all this while maintaining his currency as an aviator."

"It adds a unique dynamic working with the foreign militaries," said Baker. "There hasn't been a language barrier, but it has been very interesting working with the different cultures they bring to the exercise."

Baker says the most difficult part of his job has been coordinating with the 15 units utilizing the airfield - and finding the time to give them the attention they need. "I've helped the visiting units work with Airfield Management, the motor pool, Logistics and Maintenance," he said. "I try to give them whatever they need to get their issues resolved in a timely manner."

While Baker is now focusing on the minutia of the day-to-day operations of the exercise, he is excited about the knowledge he gained during the planning stage. "I was able to see the exercise from a different perspective, and see the impact of the various agencies involved. As a C-17 Loadmaster, we sometimes have tunnel vision and don't have the opportunity to see the big picture."

Baker says RIMPAC has given the 15th WG an opportunity to test the effectiveness of the joint base concept and provide a chance to work with their sister service. "There have been a few hiccups as we worked through the different cultures we bring to the table," he said, "but we have been able to work through the issues and make the exercise a success."

Baker, who is from Lynn, Indiana, has been in the Air Force for more than seven years, all as a loadmaster. He has more than 2,800 flying hours in the C-17. Baker will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in management in May 2013 and is pursuing a commission with the hope of becoming a C-17 pilot.