Tuskegee Airman of the Week: Dec. 13-19

Photo By Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm | Senior Airman Christopher Miller of the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Dec. 13-19. Among his accomplishments, Miller successfully cleared an indirect-fire point-of-origin site, coordinated with air assets to locate and recover an improvised rocket launcher, and helped capture three insurgents who were then turned over to Iraqi security forces.  

BALAD, IRAQ

12.19.2009

Story by Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Senior Airman Christopher Miller of the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Dec. 13-19, 2009.

"Senior Airman Miller has made a positive impact as an airman," said Brig. Gen. Craig Franklin, 332nd AEW commander. "He is the epitome of being in the fight. His actions have directly saved lives, and he is an incredible airman."

After congratulating the new winner in front of wing leadership, Franklin presented Miller with the award certificate and a commander's coin at the wing headquarters Dec. 24.

As truck commander of charlie flight, Miller successfully cleared an indirect-fire point-of-origin site, coordinated with air assets to locate and recover an improvised rocket launcher, and helped capture three insurgents who were then turned over to Iraqi security forces.

On a different mission, the Northampton, Pa., native stopped his team's patrol when he spotted a command wire on the roadway. The wire was connected to multiple improvised explosive devices buried under the ground, any of which could have caused serious casualties if detonated.

"Going out everyday knowing what we do out there is saving lives gives me true job satisfaction," said Miller. "It definitely keeps me going, knowing that we are easing the worries of getting attacked on base and are making Iraq a safer country -- both for our troops and the locals."

Miller, deployed here from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., also makes his off-duty time count. He's volunteered at both the United Services Organization chapter and the Air Force Theater Hospital.

"Senior Airman Miller consistently performs well beyond his rank and sets the bar high for other airmen to follow," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Johnson, 532nd ESFS assistant NCO in charge of force protection patrols and Miller's supervisor. "He deserves this recognition, and I couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week award is given to airmen between the ranks of E-1 and E-5 who have excelled both on- and off-duty.

• Date Taken: 12.19.2009
• Date Posted: 12.26.2009 07:53
• Story ID: 43160
• Location: BALAD, IQ