Photo By Craig Lifton | Senior Airman Chad Callender of the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Senior Airman Chad Callender is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Jan. 26 – Feb. 1.
Col. John Dolan, 332nd AEW vice commander, presented him with the award on behalf of Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd AEW commander, during a ceremony here Feb. 6.
"It is an honor for me to congratulate Senior Airman Chad Callender as our Tuskegee Airman of the Week on behalf of General Bishop," Dolan said. "Airman Callender has had a great deployment and is finishing up strong. I want to thank him for the outstanding work he's been doing here at Joint Base Balad."
Callender, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, was the truck commander for 36 patrols and was responsible for the accounting of $10.2 million in theater-placed equipment -- to include the maintenance of three tactical communication packages, 20 vehicles, and 30 weapons systems for a base entry control point.
"I work at the North ECP, and we search vehicles, and local nationals and provide a response for the perimeter of the base," Callender said. "However, one of the best parts of my job is getting to interact with the local nationals.
"I love being able to go out and interact with the Iraqi kids and understand their culture," continued the Anderson, Ind., native. "One of our goals is to win hearts and minds and show them we are here to help."
While working as a security forces Airman, Callender identified seven serious incident reports and seven situation reports, coordinating with his chain of command to resolve the issues.
Furthermore, he identified a local national probe on coalition convoys and directed a cordon and explosive ordnance disposal response, resulting in the securing of an improvised explosive device.
In addition to his day-to-day mission, Callender is also involved in various activities on JBB to include off-duty education and volunteering.
The senior airman currently deployed from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., has completed 12 college credit-hours and is currently enrolled in six college credit-hours toward his Bachelor of Science degree.
In addition, Callender received medical evacuation training and volunteered 30 hours at the Casualty Aeromedical Staging Facility.
If that wasn't enough, he recently competed in a base-wide, 12-mile ruck march, placing fourth out of more than 200 competitors. He completed the march in 2 hours and 20 minutes, exceeding the air assault standard of completing it in three hours.
Callender attributes his successful deployment having a good attitude.
"Try to keep a positive attitude the whole time," the Airman said. "Keeping a good attitude will help you succeed. Also, do the best you can while you're over here. I try to do my job the best I can so that not only I go home safe, but everyone I work with goes home safe also."
Callender's supervisor, Tech. Sgt. Patrick Lombardo, 532nd ESFS North ECP flight chief, is proud to have him on his team.
"Whenever I think of an Airman who gets things done, I think of Airman Callender," said the Chicago native also currently deployed here from Columbus AFB. "He's a role model for his peers and non-commissioned officers. He fills in jobs that NCOs typically do. As a senior airman, he's really stepped up. We've put pressure on him to get the job done and he has, no questions asked. He's really been a Godsend. He's our go-to guy."
The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is selected based on an Airman's accomplishments both on- and off-duty. Airmen in the pay grades of E-1 to E-6 are eligible.
| Date Taken: | 02.12.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2009 01:42 |
| Story ID: | 29916 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 228 |
| Downloads: | 211 |
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