Living on Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia: A Unique Adventure Published Dec. 23, 2024 By Staff Sgt. Juan Moreno 730th Air Mobility Squadron, Detachment 1 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory -- Living on Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia is a unique adventure, unlike any other. Each day begins with a short walk, less than 100 feet, to the nearest beach. The island offers the opportunity to see live hermit crabs and occasionally help researchers tag turtles. The fish here is the freshest I could ever wish for. The weather is always a constant, delightful 80 to 90 degrees, with the sun perpetually shining. The island is home to a small, diverse community composed of Navy personnel, British Forces, contractors, and the occasional Air Force and Space Force members, with fewer than 40 Air Force personnel in total. This small number fosters a tight-knit family atmosphere where everyone has each other's backs. Though we are few, our interactions are not limited to just Air Force personnel; we regularly hang out with members from other branches and services. Weekend outings are a common occurrence, strengthening our bonds even further. At the 730th Air Mobility Squadron Detachment 1, I serve as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Operations and Reports for the Air Mobility Command Center. My responsibilities include reviewing and updating our policies and procedures, creating new checklists, waivers, processes, and products to adapt to the evolving needs of the Air Force mission. We work closely with contractors, Navy Base Operations, and the Air Traffic Control Tower to coordinate aircraft arrivals and resolve any issues that may arise. Additionally, we manage every Air Force aircrew and aircraft that comes through the island. This includes coordinating transportation and lodging, assisting with booking recreational activities like fishing trips, and showing them the local area. In emergency situations, we coordinate communications between the crews and higher headquarters such as the Tanker Airlift Control Center and the Pacific Air Forces Air Mobility Division. This assignment offers a fantastic experience, providing a unique perspective on working with multiple branches and countries. Typically, such a collaborative environment would come with high stress, but here it is very relaxed and forgiving. I highly encourage anyone to take the opportunity to come here and step outside of their usual duties or career field to experience what this island has to offer. The location is also considered a short tour, and I am allowed a Base of Preference afterward, which adds to the appeal of this assignment.