Tech. Sgt. Jose Castro, Detachment 6, Aerospace Data Facility - Colorado

Published June 23, 2009

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Tech. Sgt. Jose Castro, Operations flight chief, Communications Operations Squadron West, Detachment 6 Aerospace Data Facility- Colorado, is Team Buckley's Warrior of the Week for June 26-July 3.

Sergeant Castro has served in the Air Force for 14 years and hails from the nation's 21st largest city, El Paso, Texas.

What is the combat capability that this person exemplified to earn the title, "Warrior of the Week?"
"Sergeant Castro embodies a warrior spirit and the Service-Before-Self core value" said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Winters, Det. Chief, Det 6, ADF. "His sage leadership and technical prowess guided his 42-person technical team to extraordinarily operate and maintain complex, high availability, worldwide networks. These networks deliver actionable intelligence information to the fingertips of forward deployed war-fighters and national decision makers. Sergeant Castro's tireless dedication ensured 100 percent communications availability for the ADF-C's Combat Search and Rescue support mission, thereby saving the lives of Americans in harm's way."

How do your day-to-day duties impact the Air Force mission?
I sustain more than 1,900 communication circuits on 120 communication networks worth $16 million for over 5,600 users.

If you could change one thing about the Air Force what would it be?
Bring back logic into the thought process. Don't create changes just for the sake of making change.

Why do you serve?
I enjoy being part of a team that makes a difference on a daily basis.

What has been your most memorable experience in the Air Force?
It was pretty rewarding to be part of the team who tested and set up the Deployable CENTCOM Headquarters in Qatar.

What is your most memorable personal accomplishment?
Completing my Bachelors of Science in Information Technology

If you were not in the military, where would you be? Why?
I would probably still be somewhere in Texas, working odd jobs. The Air Force has opened many doors of opportunity for me.

Where would you like to be in 10 years? What will you be doing?
Living on a sunny beach in Florida enjoying life.

Military accomplishments:
CSW Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award - 2009
Detachment 6 NCO of the Year - 2006
89th Comm Group Maintenance Technician of the Year - 1996
Two deployments to the Middle East

Tech. Sgt. Jose Castro, Detachment 6, Aerospace Data Facility – Colorado