Deployed Keesler chaplain hits ground running

Published July 27, 2011
By Master Sgt. Mary Davis
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- It's midday in sweltering 100-degree Afghanistan heat. Two individuals approach a group of aircraft maintainers to offer assistance -- not with a tool box in hand, but with fruitflavored ice pops and words of encouragement.

For Chaplain (Capt.) Ralph Elliott, deployed from Keesler, and Senior Airman Hansel Orosco, chaplain assistant, this is one of many opportunities to provide aircraft maintainers much-needed relief from the heat, while spreading the word about the flightline religious support team's ministry on Bagram Airfield's east side.

"This is the first chance we've had to meet the Airmen to remind them they have a chaplain on the flightline for them," said Elliott, who arrived at Bagram earlier in July. "We also let them know about the flightline RST morale facility where they can relax and unwind from deployment stress."

Bagram Airfield has five RSTs -- two in the hospital, one at the security forces squadron and one at the east side of the flightline. The flightline RST morale facility has more than 500 movies, a movie room, morale phones and religious materials available 24/7. The chaplain is also on hand to lend his ear and advice to Airmen who need direction and support.

"I also have an office area to conduct counseling sessions that are 100 percent confidential," said the chaplain, who hails from Philadelphia. "It's important that people have someone they can speak to privately and the information will go no further. You can speak to any military chaplain -- what is said to the chaplain will stay with the chaplain."

Elliott is no stranger to the flightline having worked on E-3 airborne warning and control system aircraft as a radar maintenance technician for three years at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. He and Orosco will periodically bring ice pops and water to maintainers in the summer and hot cocoa to them in the fall and winter months.

"Working on the flightline is difficult work," the chaplain said. "Working in the elements -- heat, cold and wind takes a toll on you. That's why I'm glad to do this. It's important for Airmen to know we are here for them."

As a chaplain assistant, Orosco is the "eyes and ears" of the chaplain during the deployment. While military chaplains are non-combatants, chaplain assistants are combatants and are tasked with carrying and using weapons to protect chaplains.

Orosco's first three years in the Air Force Reserve were spent as an optometry technician, but he later cross-trained into the chaplain assistant career field to "fulfill my commitment to God and the military," said the San Antonio native and a digital video and cinema production student at Northwest Vista College. "I'm a people person, so this was a perfect job for me. Working with people is 70 percent of the job."

Being a people person, Orosco enjoys meeting Airmen from different career fields and all walks of life on this deployment, which is his first since he began serving in the military six years ago.

"The best part of this job is traveling around the flightline and learning what everyone does," he said. "Sometimes I listen to stories that are difficult to hear, but I'm empathetic because they need someone who will listen. Helping people who seek our assistance is a rewarding part of this job."

Staff Sgt. Michael Lanzino, a shift leader at the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron armament shop, said it's convenient to have the chapel resources nearby.

"There isn't as much to do on the east side of the flightline, and it takes up to 45 minutes to take the bus to the west side," said Lanzino, who hails from Yearington, Nev.

"Having the chapel staff provide this service here is convenient and good for morale."

Taking care of people is a huge part of the mission, the chaplain said.

"Every Airman is responsible for being physically, mentally, socially and spiritually fit to accomplish the mission," Elliott said. "Being spiritually prepared can help you with all the other areas."