Young Airman prepares for his first deployment

  • Published
  • By Seaman Shane Arrington
  • Detachment 12, Air Force News Agency
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNEWS) --  Eighteen years old and fresh out of high school, he may not have many years under his flak vest but he made a choice few make ... to serve and defend his country.

Airman Samuel Martinek, part of the 35th Security Forces Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, is preparing for his upcoming deployment. While he may be new to the Air Force, he says he feels he's properly prepared to carry out his mission.

"We get training in Texas as well as (en route), before we're going to Iraq. So I believe I'm going to be ready for whatever comes my way when I get there."

Some of Airman Martinek's responsibilities downrange will involve processing detainees as well as guarding prison camps.

He says getting ready for deployment really makes him realize he's in the military.

"The high-ops tempo around here ... I'm really excited to go."