121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

Story by Senior Airman Kristin Crain

By Senior Airman Kristin Crain
121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The goal of every National Guard member is to be ready to answer the state and nation's call at a moment's notice.

For Tech. Sgt. Dan Clare, a member of the 121st Air Refueling Wing, that call meant telling the Air Force story on behalf of the largest combat wing in Iraq.

In September 2007, Clare deployed to Balad Air Base where he was assigned as the non-commissioned officer in charge of news production at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs office.

As a result of his efforts, over the course of his Air Expeditionary Force cycle, the sergeant garnered numerous awards for print journalism and photography, including the National Guard Bureau media contest 2007 Air National Guard Print Journalist of the Year.

Clare's coverage of the war consistently received national attention. His article and photographs of the first A-10C Thunderbolts to use precision engagement from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, chronicled a historic evolution in combat capabilities for Air National Guard and active duty aircraft and pilots. Additionally, he focused on Airmen in non-traditional "in-lieu-of" taskings who were supporting the Army and ground combat in Iraq.

The sergeant, who left behind a civilian position as associate national director of communications for Disabled American Veterans, said the most rewarding and challenging part of his deployment was working at the Air Force theater hospital-the medical hub for all of Iraq, and the only full-spectrum trauma center in the country.

"I spent as much time at the hospital as I could," Clare said. "I escorted media through the facility and focused most of my writing there. Even when I wasn't on duty, I was there-helping bring litters off helicopters, donating blood, even just hanging out and talking to doctors, medics, nurses and patients."

He also wrote "Dispatches from Iraq," a series detailing his experiences on the DAV's web site.

"At home, some of my best friends are amputees," he said. "My coworkers are all disabled veterans. I've known people in almost every stage of rehabilitation. It was incredibly emotional for me to see young men and women when they were still fighting for their lives."

At the same time, Clare said, supporting the facility's mission made the difficult times worthwhile.

"I was there when the medical team on duty had done everything they could and nothing was left, and a young man died in their hands," he recalled. "There were bad days. But more than 98 percent of the time, despite the incredible amount of trauma a Soldier suffered, the docs would help a trauma victim pull through."

Clare covered nearly every aspect of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group's mission through print, photo and broadcast journalism.

A prior-service Guard member, Clare was named the top feature broadcaster for the Marine Corps in 1997 for his work at American Forces News, Okinawa, Japan.

As the news production supervisor, his team developed numerous broadcast products, news stories and photographs that were used throughout the Air Force and in the civilian media.

His team developed Balad Air Base's first regularly scheduled web broadcast products and the Redtail News Flash television program.

"I wasn't the only Guard guy there, my superintendent, Master Sgt. John Nimmo, was deployed from the Colorado Air National Guard. He was a real leader as a photographer and mentor during a challenging time for our career field. Guard folks are everywhere overseas."

Clare placed in seven categories in the National Guard Bureau media contest. In addition to being named the print journalist of the year, he earned first place honors for newswriting and his series titled "Combat Nurses," which has been published in numerous military and civilian publications.

Additional National Guard Bureau media contest honors for the 121st Air Refueling Wing went to Senior Airman Jordon McWherter and Staff Sgt. Douglas Nicodemus for their video documentary, "Rodeo 2007."

Ohio also had nine individual or group winners for the Army National Guard: second place, magazine-format publication, Buckeye Guard; first place, feature article, Spc. Eunice Alicea Valentin, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment; third place, feature article, Staff. Sgt. Kimberly Snow, 196th MPAD; second place, photojournalism, Spc. Diego J. Robles, 196th MPAD; first place, television news report, Spc. Steven R. Engle, 196th MPAD; first place, television feature report, Engle; third place, television feature report, SPC Michael Schmidt, 196th MPAD; first place, local television newscast, Eye On Ohio, 196th MPAD; and first place, "Rising Star" for new NGB broadcaster, Engle.

Associated Images

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