Tinker tech. sgt. supports warfighters while deployed Published Feb. 1, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- He's a "razor-sharp transporter," and Tech. Sgt. David Dries is overseas doing his part to support the warfighter. "Sergeant Dries is a true team player," said Master Sgt. Brandon Mudery, 728th AMS Ramp Operations superintendent and Sergeant Dries' supervisor. "He steps up without hesitation and he always brings a positive attitude along with solutions to problems that arise." Deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, since October, Sergeant Dries is assigned to the Air Mobility Command's 728th Air Mobility Squadron as an air transportation specialist. As an air transportation specialist, Sergeant Dries (pronounced Dr-EE-z) downloads and uploads equipment onto aircraft for warfighters downrange. Since October, Sergeant Dries and his team of four others have moved more than 25,000 tons of cargo for 735 missions. Among the cargo he has moved are mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, which are designed to survive improvised explosive device attacks. His team has also transported a special operations Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle. The aerial vehicle is used for long endurance and high-elevation observation. "The work we do here in Turkey is vital to the success of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines downrange," Sergeant Dries said. "The supplies we move through here keep the planes flying, convoys moving and personnel supplied on daily needs and safety gear." Sergeant Dries, who also works uploading and downloading cargo within the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, says the work he does in Turkey is similar to what he does at Tinker. Yet, he is far busier overseas. "We are constantly busy here working multiple missions at one time, all the time," Sergeant Dries said. "Tinker just doesn't have the workload to even come close to how much cargo we move here." Sergeant Dries said his shift starts at 5:15 p.m. five days a week. Quitting time is at 6 a.m. While he has deployed four other times, he said this tour is the first time he's served as a middleman in the moving-cargo field. "I am used to being on the receiving side of those C-17s at the downrange location," he said. At Incirlik AB, Sergeant Dries moves cargo from B-747s, C-5s and C-17s heading to Iraq and Afghanistan. "Turkey may not be a forward-deployed location, but the mission that goes on here is vital to the success of the overall mission." Sergeant Dries said he is scheduled to return to Tinker in April.