332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

Story by Senior Airman Andria Allmond

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Guy Coggins, 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron intelligence analyst, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, 2009.

"When he's done briefing our special forces guys, they are all fired up and ready to go," said Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 332nd AEW commander, who presented Coggins with the award and a commander's coin at wing headquarters Oct. 9.

Serving as a special operations forces integration focal point, Coggins enabled 91 hours of level 1 combat search and rescue, 132 direct action operations and assisted in neutralizing approximately 200 enemy personnel. Also, he coordinated with joint intelligence to create 106 routes, 23 alert briefs and 15 forward operating base guides.

"The risk is real and there is no room for error when the enemy is out to hurt you," said the Navarre, Fla., native. "At home station we're always staying current on what the (area of responsibility) threat is and how to avoid or defuse it. I'm proud to represent the Tuskegee legacy and the combat search and rescue heritage."

Deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Coggins volunteered at the Air Force Theater Hospital, providing direct care to four patients. He also completed his Community College of the Air Force degree and is working on his bachelor's degree in computer science.

He said he intends to prepare for the Air Force officer qualification test, and is an airman education and commissioning program applicant.

"I believe it's important to evaluate aspirations and set long and short term goals in order to achieve them," said the Airman on his second deployment this year. "When deployed, I find there's extra time to concentrate on your goals without the common distractions found at home station."

Coggins, who said he hopes to commission during his military career, was nominated by his supervisor, 1st Lt. Erin Hannon, 64th ERQS chief of intelligence.

"He reminds me on a daily basis what this job brings to the fight," said the lieutenant. "It may be easy for some to get apathetic about the mission, but [Airman] Coggins never forgets what he's fighting for. He is going to make an exceptional officer, I have no doubts."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the week is open to Airmen between the ranks of E-1 and E-5, and is selected based on an Airman's on and off duty accomplishments.

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