Tuskegee Airman of the Week: Nov. 24-30, 2008

Photo By Senior Airman Jason Epley | Airman Foster Brown poses inside an M-977 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 9. Foster is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Nov. 24-30. He excavated more than 1,400 square feet and poured more than 29 cubic yards of cement for a concrete pad that would be used to build a new workshop for 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. Brown, a 732nd ECES pavements and construction equipment operator and a Chicago native, is deployed from Hickam Air Force base, Hawaii.  

BALAD, IRAQ

12.11.2008

Story by Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

By Tech. Sgt. Craig Lifton
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Airman Foster Brown a 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and construction equipment operator, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Nov. 24-30.

To increase storage and preparation time, Brown, who is deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, excavated more than 1,400 square feet and poured more than 29 cubic yards of cement for a concrete pad that would be used to build a new workshop for 732nd ECES.

While working in a joint service solution tasking at Forward Operating Base Gabe, Iraq, Brown stepped out of his career field and assisted with electrical repair and the installation of five heating, ventilation and air conditioning units for sleeping quarters, improving quality of life for more than 150 Soldiers. Brown also helped to in convoy more than $1.4 million worth of assets 640 miles across the Diyala province in support of counterinsurgency operations.

"Airman Brown is doing incredible things for us," said Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop the 332nd AEW commander. "He is helping the Army by fulfilling their construction needs, so they can have a better quality of life."

Brown volunteered to join the only Air Force team in the Army's 5th Engineer Battalion "Fittest Fighter" competition.

"There were different physical activities," said Brown, a native of Chicago. "There was a five-mile run in full individual body armor and weapon, then a 150-meter swim in uniform and a few other things."

At FOB Gabe, Brown also donated three hours of his own time to work on electrical wiring at the Internet café, which contributed to a boost in morale for more than 1,000 service members.

• Date Taken: 12.11.2008
• Date Posted: 12.11.2008 04:07
• Story ID: 27503
• Location: BALAD, IQ