50 OSS intelligence analyst takes talent on deployment

Photo By Scott Prater | Senior Airman Danielle Hoddy, 50th Operations Support Squadron intelligence analyst, is embedded with Air Force special forces in Southeast Asia. (courtesy photo)  

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, CO, UNITED STATES

09.18.2013

Courtesy Story

50th Space Wing

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Senior Airman Danielle Hoddy can flat-out work a crowd.

During the past two years at Schriever, her calm demeanor and cool composure under pressure have helped her stand out. As a 50th Operations Support Squadron intelligence analyst she has earned the confidence of supervisors and Air Force leaders, delivering intelligence briefings to space operators, squadron commanders and wing commanders.

"I met her when I first arrived on base," said. Lt. Col. Jay Fulmer, 50 OSS commander. "The way she conducted herself and the expertise she displayed as intelligence analyst was impressive. It was hard to believe she's been in the Air Force less than three years."

As an intelligence analyst, Hoddy plays a pivotal role for the wing. She analyzes information about foreign threats to Air Force satellites and briefs commanders accordingly.

"We have such a small flight that we rely heavily on our junior airman to get spun up on threats to our satellites," said retired Maj. Christopher Dupre, former 50 OSS intelligence flight commander. "Airman Hoddy has always seemed comfortable briefing and talking to senior personnel. She's a very confident person, outgoing and affable."

Though Hoddy has been consumed by intelligence work since she arrived at Schriever, she's also found time to pursue an advanced education and learn to skydive.

"There's a rare combination of intelligence, confidence and energy there," said Dupre. "While she's pursuing a bachelor's degree, she is also contemplating earning a commission."
Dupre defined Hoddy's performance in 50 OSS as deft and skillful, but said she's also knowledgeable in the most critical areas of her duties.

"She has an exceptional analytical mind and has an extremely good understanding of all 50 SW assets," he said. "She conducts a lot of research and scrubs information throughout the intelligence community. So she's able to draw things out that are pertinent to the wing. Yes, she briefs commanders well, but she's also on the operations floor, delivering critical information to front line operators."

That's one reason she was selected for a recent deployment to Southeast Asia, where she is currently embedded with Air Force special forces team.

Air Force special forces units are composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable Airmen who conduct global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower to infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of special force operational elements.

"Here we have a 50 OSS member participating as a warfighter," said Fulmer. "We can't talk about the work she is doing during her deployment, but I know she is performing well because AFSOC leaders have expressed a desire keep her permanently. She will interview for a permanent position in AFSOC next month. We're probably going to lose her from 50 OSS, which will be a negative for us, but from a larger perspective, a great thing for the Air Force."

• Date Taken: 09.18.2013
• Date Posted: 09.19.2013 11:57
• Story ID: 113911
• Location: SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, CO, US