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| News > Hurlburt Field intelligence flight earns AF level award |
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Brig. Gen. Robert Otto presents the 2009 Outstanding Operations Group Intelligence/Operations Support Flight ISR Unit of the Year award to Maj. Erwin Waibel Oct. 14, 2010, at Hurlburt Field Fla. General Otto is the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities director and deputy chief of staff for ISR. Major Waibel is the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron intelligence flight commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephanie Jacobs)
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Hurlburt Field intelligence flight earns AF level award
Posted 10/20/2010
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by Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/20/2010 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- The 1st Special Operations Support Squadron received the 2009 Outstanding Operations Group Intelligence/Operations Support Flight Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Unit of the Year award Oct. 14 here for their tremendous accomplishments at Hurlburt Field.
Brig. Gen. Robert "Bob" P. Otto, the Air Force ISR Capabilities director and deputy chief of staff for IS, presented the award to Maj. Erwin Waibel, the 1st SOSS intelligence flight commander, in front of the men and women who contributed to the award.
"I'm here because it's important to recognize the best in the Air Force," General Otto said. "What you all do is really cutting edge and vital to today's fight."
The 1st SOSS intelligence flight contributed more than 5,000 deployed days in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and operations in the Horn of Africa and the Pacific Command. In addition, 35 percent of the flight is always deployed, contributing directly to many special operations missions.
"The work hours and deployments are tough to match in this department," said Kevin Chisholm, the 1st SOSS intelligence flight deputy commander. "We have won this award a couple times before and it's because we have such a unique mission here."
The Airmen of the1st SOSS intelligence flight enabled 5,000 joint special operations forces missions that led to more than 2,000 enemies killed in action and 850 others detained.
"You guys change the game," General Otto said. "You all figure out critical pieces of intelligence which help take out the enemy and support aircraft missions."
During a visit to Baghdad, the 1st SOSS Airmen flowed essential intelligence to the president's security team that was key to assessments, security and over watch.
At home station the men and women of the intelligence flight created and presented around 2,000 intelligence briefs basewide. They also prepared around 1,200 fliers on seven Air Force Special Operations Command airframes for worldwide operations by implementing a cutting-edge intelligence training plan.
"You all have an incredible NCO corps and the Airmen have unbelievable responsibilities," General Otto said. "What you do really matters and it's truly unique amongst Americans."
The men and women of the 1st SOSS Intelligence flight conduct training to prepare and brief Airmen for deployments and decode critical pieces of information, which contribute directly to the mission. The important information they relay to Airmen on the frontlines is used effectively to help save lives.
"When you all do your job successfully, an Airman gets to come home," General Otto said. "It's a true testament to leadership and my hat goes off to you."
Even though the general mentioned leadership, the leaders of the award-winning flight expressed the large part the Airmen play. They stressed winning the award wouldn't have been possible without them.
"This is really a tribute to the Airmen and NCOs because they are always going full throttle," said Master Sgt. Barrett Fine, the 1st SOSS intelligence flight acting superintendent. "They are the smartest and hardest workers and they pay attention to detail."
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