News
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chris Schroder, Schroder PR, 404.872.7289, chris@schroderpr.com
Feb. 4, 2005
Air Serv Employee Serves His Country in Kuwait
Raymond Peter Steptore II is an Air Serv employee who starting working for Frank Argenbright on May 4 th , 1995. Raymond joined Frank's team in Los Angeles at the LAX airport after finishing his tour of duty with the Army as an aircraft weapons systems repair specialist.
Upon joining Air Serv, Raymond was initially assigned to the terminal baggage handling department for the Delta Air Lines account. After two years Raymond decided he wanted to pursue his passion for repairing automotive equipment. He asked to be transferred to the Delta mail handling account so he could work graveyard in order to go to school during the day. While attending the Trade Tech School, Raymond received a degree in motorcycle and automotive repair.
In 2000, Raymond re-enlisted in the military with the Navy Reserves as a mechanic and holds the
rank of 2 nd Class Petty Officer / E-5. Raymond was assigned to the Naval Construction Force Support Unit in Port Hueneme, Ventura County, CA. When the Iraq war began three years later in February 2003, Raymond was called up for duty. He was stationed at a Navy base just outside Kuwait City. There, he used his expertise in repairing mechanical equipment to support U.S. Marines who were engaged in combat in Iraq.
For the next six months, Raymond worked tirelessly, often in dangerous and dire conditions. He repaired support equipment Marines used in their battles in Iraq - including Humvees and five-and 15-ton trucks and tractor trailers sent back from the front lines because of combat and weather damage. For seven days a week, Raymond worked in blazing temperatures -- as high as 110-degrees, with a heat index of up to 167 degrees - often lying on his back to repair vehicles as blinding sandstorms whipped around him.
The difficulties didn't end there. Even when he wasn't working in the thick of front-line operations, Raymond found himself dodging SCUD missiles as his base was repeatedly attacked during the peak of combat operations. Racing to a bunker and suiting up in chemical-protective gear became part of life on the job for Raymond during that time.
Air Serv employees followed up with Raymond and his family when he was stationed in Kuwait. Raymond said that while he handles mail in Los Angeles for Delta, the only mail he handled while in Kuwait was in the care packages his Air Serv friends and family sent him.
Raymond returned to LA and Air Serv from active duty in August 2003 after major combat operations ended. When asked what he remembers most about his experience, Raymond said, "Camaraderie. When you are away from your loved ones your fellow soldiers are your family." says Raymond, who will celebrate his 10 th anniversary with Air Serv in May. "In the 10 years I have been with Air Serv, I have experienced the same type of camaraderie."
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Air Serv, one of the fastest growing companies in the United States, has 4,300 employees serving 25 airlines in 19 markets in the U.S. and Great Britain, offering services such as skycap, baggage handling, wheelchair services and customer service. Founded in May 2002 by aviation service leader Frank Argenbright Jr., the company holds major contracts with leading aviation companies, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and FedEx.
For more information, please contact: Chris Schroder, Schroder PR, 404.872.7289, chris@schroderpr.com, or Blane Bachelor with Schroder PR, 404.733.5530, or blanebachelor@schroderpr.com. Visit the Air Serv web site at www.airservcorp.com .
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