Tuskegee Airman of the Week Feb. 16-22

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  Staff Sgt. Jeremy Reynolds is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Feb. 16-22.

Col. John Dolan, 332nd AEW vice commander, presented him with the award on behalf of Brig. Gen. Brian Bishop, 332nd AEW commander, during a ceremony here Feb. 27.

"It is an honor for me to recognize Staff Sgt. Jeremy Reynolds as our Tuskegee Airman of the Week on behalf of General Bishop," Dolan said. "I want to congratulate and thank him for the outstanding work he's been doing here at Joint Base Balad."

Reynolds, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, pinpointed two severe storms and delivered 56 weather forecasts.

"In a nutshell, it is my job to support the warfighter," said Reynolds. "I observe, forecast and brief the weather.

"It has been both a challenge and a great experience to see firsthand how we support the warfighter," the sergeant continued. "I have had the opportunity to experience forecasting for many different types of missions providing certain types of support that I really don't see back in the States. I am enjoying both the challenge and the experience I am getting from being here."

In addition to his day-to-day mission, he led the U.S. Air Force Central Command-tasked individual body armor inspection for the 332nd EOSS. He was responsible for guiding seven points of contact, ensuring adequate IBA for 158 of his fellow EOSS members.

Furthermore, Reynolds is involved in various activities on JBB to include off-duty education and volunteering.

The sergeant, hailing from Bulverde, Texas, dedicated seven hours of his off-duty time as part of the JBB Honor Guard. Reynolds is also a bi-weekly volunteer at Troy's Place. Troy's Place is an Airmen ministry center sponsored by the JBB Chapel. It first opened May 4, 2007, and is named in honor of Maj. Troy "Trojan" Gilbert, an F-16 pilot deployed here who was killed in action Nov. 27, 2006.

"I encourage Airmen to look around and volunteer on base," he said. "There are a lot of opportunities. Helping the Honor Guard and volunteering at Troy's Place are something to look forward to. It's an opportunity to get away from work and enjoy being around other people who are here."

Reynolds, who is currently deployed here from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is always looking to further his skills. He is currently studying Rosetta Stone Spanish.

Reynolds' flight commander, Maj. Gregory Fox, 332nd EOSS combat weather flight commander, said he feels privileged to have him as part of the team.

"I am absolutely happy to have him on my team," said Fox, also currently deployed from Offutt AFB. "We both actually come from the same base; we worked in the same building. I didn't know him before we came over here except for meeting him once or twice. I'm really glad we deployed here together. He's doing super.

"Reynolds takes a lot of initiative and whenever I ask for a volunteer, he's usually the first one to volunteer," added the major. "He works really hard at whatever task you give him and does a great job. We've been here less than a month, but in that time he's been volunteering for everything he could possibly do as well as his job at work. He is always willing to take chances, work hard, and ends up doing a great job. "

The 332nd AEW Tuskegee Airman of the Week is selected based on an Airman's accomplishments both on- and off-duty. Airmen in the pay grades of E-1 to E-6 are eligible.