LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Senior Master Sgt. Jason Colón
Deployed Unit: 22d Expeditionary Weather Squadron/368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group
Duty Title: Squadron Superintendent
Home Unit: Headquarters Air Combat Command A3W Weather Division
Hometown: The Bronx, N.Y.
Time in Service: Active-duty Air Force 17 years, 11 months
Describe your deployed duties and the tools you use to accomplish it: I lead battlefield weather personnel with weather integration into stability operations, fusing weather intelligence to aid in the detection of roadside bombs and to secure the safety of flight for U.S. Army flight platforms. I attended Combat Skills Training and the Evasion and Conduct-After-Capture course; facilitating my fourth tour to operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. This was a great opportunity to lead/learn from a wide spectrum of Airmen and Soldiers.
What do you bring to the fight? Battlefield weather supports U.S. Army assets to perform their mission to the fullest extent, maximizing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and securing the safety of U.S. military members. As a seasoned weather warrior, I provide my experience and knowledge to my commander, allowing him to make informed decisions for the betterment of the squadron.
What are you overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? The mission here is key to the overall success in building a free and democratic Iraq. We all work jointly to assist in the overall Air Force mission. I believe in my Air Force and how it provides support to facilitate the future of Iraq.
Supervisor Comments: As the senior enlisted Battlefield Weather Airman in Iraq, Sergeant Colón personifies the highest standards and qualities of warrior spirit through exemplary leadership and motivation, which he provides to the 54 deployed Battlefield Weather Airmen in the 22d Expeditionary Weather Squadron. The Squadron Headquarters, three Detachments, and eight Operating Locations dispersed across 10 Army installations in Iraq, operate as a cohesive unit as a direct result of his management and leadership. His drive for developing his warrior skills is exemplified by taking on duties of the 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group Chief Enlisted Manager and in full capacity during his absence.