Italy tour makes impact on airman

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March 20, 2010

DAVID DELGADO The Commercial-News Sat Mar 20, 2010, 05:00 PM CDT

DANVILLE — Airman First Class Josh Crain was happy to be home on leave recently after a stint in Italy and a deployment to Kyrgyzstan.

Originally stationed at Beale Air Force Base in northern California, Crain received orders to deploy to Italy in 2007.

He was attached to the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Aviano, Italy, for two years.

Crain said he worked on a petroleum, oil and lubricants (or POL) crew, a vital support element of the air wing. “Pilots are pedestrians without POL,” Crain joked. He and his fellow airmen were responsible for fueling aircrafts and maintaining liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen tanks.

“I’m a glorified gas station attendant,” he said jokingly.

While stationed in Italy, Crain visited Naples, Pisa, Florence, Sicily and Rome. He also traveled by train to Croatia, Slovenia and Austria.

Rome was an eye-opening experience, Crain said. “There were so many places to visit,” he added. “I saw a lot of things I thought I’d never get to see.” During his stay in Rome, Crain visited many historical sites such as the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and the Coliseum.

The young airman also said he was particularly captivated by the gorgeous women and landscapes of Croatia.

In May 2009, Crain was called upon to augment U.S. forces at Manas International Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan. He spent four months there on a POL crew supporting planes headed to Afghanistan. Crain said he and his team primarily serviced KC-135 Stratotanker aerial, refueling planes. The KC-135 is used extensively for the in-flight refueling of fighter planes Crain said. It allows fighter pilots to stay airborne longer, increasing their range and combat effectiveness.

After his tour in Kyrgyzstan, he returned to Italy for a few months, and subsequently to the United States for a month of vacation last month.

“It feels amazing to be home,” Crain said. Not much has changed, he added, but it’s nice to see friends and family.

Crain has been in the Air Force about three years and plans to continue serving. He’s stationed with the 9th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, and anticipates a promotion to senior airman.

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