LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The first civilian to deploy from the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing recently returned from a 90-day assignment in Southwest Asia.
Dave Pearson, assigned to the 497th ISR Group's Plans and Programs section, served with the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron as the chief of mission management from December 2011 to March 2012. The unit supported RC-135 Rivet Joint missions flown in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to Pearson, serving as a civilian downrange took some getting used to; especially living conditions. Accommodations were very different while deployed mainly due to living in a trailer, and having separate shower and bathroom facilities in another building.
"You get so used to home comforts and take them for granted, but you soon see how good you have it back in the states," said Pearson.
The base where he deployed to had many contractors, but not many civilians supporting an operational unit. Pearson said the Airmen assigned to the unit quickly adopted him, and developed lasting professional relationships that will continue even when he's back at his home unit.
"At first the aircrews were not accustomed to a civilian being deployed with them, but after the first two weeks they could see the appreciation for operations and working as a team," he said. "We have some very intelligent Airmen dedicated to their profession."
Though this is his first deployment as a civilian, Pearson is no stranger to deployments. While on active duty in 2000, he deployed to Saudi Arabia. This more recent deployment marked the first time in more than a decade he had been away from his family for an extended period of time. Thankfully, advances in technology, such as video chat and social media, helped keep him connected to loved ones back home - a luxury he did not have 12 years ago. Pearson said his wife and daughters supported him 100 percent, even though he'd already deployed multiple times during his Air Force service. They understand his passion for service and desire to serve, he said.
Pearson said he's motivated by other civilians who have deployed, and now feels he understands the working environment and operations 480th ISR Wing Airmen execute on a daily basis. He feels it was an honor to be able to do his part along with other civilians before him.
"They're making a sacrifice they don't have to make," he said.
Additionally, he wanted the Airmen back at the unit to know civilians are in the fight, and willing to make sacrifices to support OEF operational missions. More than anything, Pearson said his time in Southwest Asia gave him "a sense of understanding and appreciation that all Airmen make while deployed."
Pearson said he "highly recommends" other civilian employees volunteer for deployments, as it sharpens your skill sets, has a great impact on operations, gives you a greater sense of esprit de corps and provides the opportunity to watch Airmen fly, fight and win around the globe.
"I recommend other civilians see firsthand the effort and sacrifices our Airmen are making in getting the mission accomplished," he said. "It was very humbling to see the aircrews grind it out every day, flying 12-hour missions over Afghanistan, providing real-time intelligence and saving lives. It was awe-inspiring to see how missions were planned and executed and the interaction between aircrew and [joint terminal attack controllers] on the ground."
Pearson is assigned to the Distributed Common Ground System, a weapons system that supports remotely piloted aircraft. He was able to provide new capabilities to his deployed unit by correlating DCGS analysis tools and intelligence products with the RC-135 aircrews.
"The aircrews were appreciative and knew they could request support from the 480 ISR Wing for DCGS support; something they didn't think they had an avenue to," said Pearson.
Pearson said he gained a great sense of satisfaction by providing new capabilities to the 763 ERS, and thereby potentially providing better intelligence products which have the capability to save lives." And that's why we as civilians want to deploy."