FCA1 Long is the Combat Systems Leading Petty Officer at Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System in Deveselu, Romania (AAMDSRO). Currently serving his 5th European Command (EUCOM) Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) deployment, FCA1 Long is the go-to subject matter expert (SME) for Aegis BMD. While stationed back at the Dam Neck Detachment, FCA1 Long was hand selected to provide his warfighting expertise at the Missile Defense Agency integrated ground test (GTI-20 Sprint 1 E/C) where he conducted training to USS Decatur, Aegis Ashore Poland, and Romania. Although initially billeted to be his team’s Combat Systems Coordinator (CSC), he flawlessly stepped up to fill the role of Tactical Action Officer (TAO) when the billeted TAO was unable to attend. FCA1 Long leveraged his subject matter expert level of knowledge to train all of the Radar System Controller (RSC), Missile System Supervisor (MSS), CSC and Ballistic Missile Defense Watch Officer (BMDWO) watchstanders at the event. His efforts directly contributed to the development of advanced procedures between NATO and U.S. Forces as well as the development of upper level watchstander proficiency for the EUCOM IAMD Operators and refining the collective European Phased Adaptive Approach Phase II Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. FCA1 Long personally mentored and trained AAMDSRO watchstanders across four deploying teams as they executed their rigorous eight-week Aegis Ashore Team Trainer certifications, with each team’s overall score well in the high 90s. FCA1 Long then mentored his own team during their BMD Qualification events and earned high praise from Afloat Training Group for his team’s performance and communications. During his team’s recent deployment, FCA1 Long executed his billeted role as RSC while simultaneously standing the CSC watch to cover a critical manning gap with zero degradation. FCA1 Long is a native of Blanch, North Carolina and enlisted in the United States Navy in June 2001. His afloat assignments include, SPY Technician USS Laboon (DDG-58), SPY Technician USS Gonzalez (DDG-66), SPY Technician USS Stout (DDG-55), and Lead SPY Technician USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51). During this challenging COVID-19 environment, FCA1 Long was still able to serve his community by supporting his local food bank with his time and effort. Additionally, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, and earned various certifications through CIW, CompTIA and ISC2.