Duke Field, Fla. -- Members of the 919th Special Operations Mission Support Group are reaping the benefits of having a former Air Force member with decades of experience and veteran of multiple deployments as the organization's Unit Deployment Manager. As a UDM, he ensures assigned personnel are mobility trained and mission-ready for combat and deployment operations in any theater.
“The UDM position is very important,” said Master Sgt. Diane Rogers, 919th SOMSG support staff administrator. “Making sure people are ready to deploy is our job in the Reserve. It’s what we’re here to do.”
In the 919th SOMSG, the UDM role is a full-time position. The primary responsibility of the UDM is to make sure Airmen are ready and able to deploy within a 72-hour notice. Bullock brings years of experience to the readiness facet of the role.
Bullock is a retired chief master sergeant with service dating back to Operation Just Cause in Panama, where he patrolled Howard Air Force Base and watched Manuel Noriega, deposed dictator of Panama, board an American aircraft for extradition.
He also served as a medical supervisor for a clinic during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he carried his team through the mourning process of losing patients.
“As a former security forces member and combat medic, I utilize my leadership and management skill sets daily,” said Bullock. “Leadership and training play a key role in the success of personnel accomplishing the mission.”
Later in his career, he played for the Air Force Falcons (the Air Force Academy's basketball team), and worked as a medical superintendent at the 39th Medical Group in Turkey, where he always asked his Airmen what they needed and talked to them on a personal level.
“He deployed several times over the course of his career and helped plenty of his Airmen deploy,” said Rogers. “I think his history is serving him well in the UDM position.”
Bullock spent 34 years in service and earned five major awards and decorations.
“It’s awesome getting our members trained and ready to deploy for combat operations in any capacity required by the Department of Defense,” said Bullock. “I’m very excited to be at Duke Field and share my experiences with the personnel assigned here.”
By ensuring personnel are ready to fly, fight, and win at a moment’s notice, Bullock and the wing’s UDMs enable the 919th SOW to provide America’s Citizen Air Commandos any time, any place.
To learn about the people who keep the 919th Special Operations Wing ready "Anytime, Anyplace," follow the wing on Facebook and Instagram.