5th ASOS Airman captures award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eric Burks
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Staff Sgt. Daniel Strom of the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron was awarded the 2007 Joint Tactical Air Controller of the year honor in a ceremony Tuesday at the 5th ASOS building on Fort Lewis. The award, which was presented by Col. Doug Anderson, Air Combat Command, recognized Sergeant Strom for his outstanding service while deployed to Iraq last year. 

Late in January 2007, then-Senior Airman Strom controlled attack aircraft for 20 hours during one battle, according to his citation. While under direct fire, he oversaw and directed the employment of seven laser-guided bombs, more than 4,000 rounds from an AC-130 Hercules gunship aircraft and six strafe passes. As a result of his efforts, 250 enemy fighters were killed, ten enemy buildings were destroyed and 410 enemy personnel were captured with minimal coalition losses. 

Instead of recounting such experiences with bravado, Sergeant Strom reflects upon them with modesty, noting that he didn't expect the award, and was only recently informed he had made it to the highest level of consideration. 

"It was a nice way to ring in the new year," he said. 

Unlike many career fields in the Air Force, JTACs typically are aligned with Army units and spend a considerable amount of time outside of the wire during deployments. It is their job to control air strikes and advise ground forces during engagement, said Sergeant Strom. 

Living and working with Soldiers is a quick way to establish a good relationship with the Army, said Sergeant Strom, noting that he was one of two Airmen in two Army brigades. While there may be an initial period of sibling rivalry, members of the sister services quickly adjust and learn how to make the most of their complementary skills. 

Sergeant Strom said he also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in several humanitarian operations outside of his normal job spectrum. During one such operation, Soldiers and Airmen handed out soccer balls and candy to children in local communities. 

As a recent Distinguished Graduate of McChord's Airman Leadership School, Sergeant Strom said his deployment gave him invaluable leadership experience. As he had already been selected for promotion to staff sergeant, he served as supervisor to another senior airman. By the time he reached the ALS classroom, he had been supervising for nine months. 

The air controller's accomplishments are in unison with the Air Force's newest slogan, "Above All." Col. Michael Caldwell, deputy director of Air Force public affairs, said in a news release that the campaign captures the professionalism of our Airmen, our technological edge and our ability to meet today's threats while at the same time prepare for future challenges. By that definition, Sergeant Strom's work certainly fits the bill.