LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Capt. Tom Auers
Deployed Unit: 467th Expeditionary Intelligence Squadron, Contingency Operating Base Delta, Iraq
Duty Title: COB Delta document and media exploitation officer in charge
Home Unit: 36th Intelligence Squadron
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Time in Service: Active duty Air Force seven years
Describe your deployed duty and the tools you use to accomplish it: DOMEX takes captured enemy materials, including ID cards, documents, cell phones, computers and other various devices, and analyzes data contained therein to aid counterintelligence, force protection and judicial system efforts.
What do you bring to the fight? Intelligence analysts help evaluate connections between previously detained persons and the suspected insurgent or person of interest. We use basic analytical processes to help other intelligence disciplines build networks that can be targeted by Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Forces.
What are you overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? DOMEX was once a valuable tool to help in the interrogation and prosecution of Iraqi insurgents. It was also a valuable tool in follow-on targeting efforts and special intelligence collection. However, now that Operation Iraqi Freedom has transitioned to Operation New Dawn, I have yet to see our DOMEX efforts contribute directly to the prosecution of suspected Iraqi criminals, as most items we receive result in little significant reporting.
Supervisor Comments: "Capt. Auers is not only an experienced company grade officer, he is a seasoned veteran of the DOMEX mission set as this is his second DOMEX deployment to Iraq. There have been several times where I have relied on his insight and experiences and our team has benefited from his recommendations. It has been my pleasure serving with him and appreciate his hard work and professionalism throughout the entire deployment."