Saturday, August 08, 2009

Face of Freedom ~ SrA Michael Eroles

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Michael Eroles, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron radio telephone operator, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s Tuskegee Airman of the Week for July 12-18. One of Airman Eroles’ distinctive accomplishments here was leading command-and-control during a small-arms attack, which resulted in the arrest of insurgents and collection of contraband weapons, thwarting future attacks.
U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for July 12-July 18

332nd Air Expeditionary Wing
Story by SrA Andria Allmond
July 26, 2009


Senior Airman Michael Eroles of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Quick Reaction Force, is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for, July 12-July 18.

"Airman Eroles has done great things here at Joint Base Balad," said Col. Luke Grossman, 332nd AEW vice commander, who presented Airman Eroles with the award and a commander's coin during a ceremony, July 24.

The 532nd ESFS radio telephone operator said he routinely advises all service members at JBB to remain vigilant and intends to pass on the knowledge he has gained during his time at JBB to incoming Airmen.

"It feels great to be recognized for all the work that I have done," said the Orange County, Calif., native. "I didn't intentionally try to get recognized; everything I do is to try and better everyone that I work with and keep them safe. Being noticed as the Tuskegee Airman of the Week only shows everyone how hard all our Airmen work and is a true privilege. My job, the safety of everyone that I work with, is the most important thing."

Leading command-and-control during a small-arms attack, Airman Eroles aided in the arrest of insurgents and collection of contraband weapons, thwarting future attacks.

Airman Eroles, who is deployed here from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, augmented force patrol protection on three combat missions and coordinated an off-base Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle recovery from an accident site.

Overall, Airman Eroles attributes his success to the motivation given to him by his supervisor.

"Sgt. Gisselberg holds me to a higher standard," he said. "I don't want to let him down."

Airman Eroles's supervisor, Staff Sgt. Leif Gisselberg, 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron patrolmaster, recognizes Airman Eroles as a major asset to his team.

"He's an expert at his job," said Gisselberg, said the Washington, D.C., native. "He performs at the [non-commissioned-officer] level. When I assign him tasks, he has thought about it and already gotten in done."

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is open to Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-5, and is selected based on an Airman's on- and off-duty accomplishments.

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