Meritorious deployment actions for "Lik" SFS member

  • Published
  • By Capt. Rose Richeson
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Missions change day-by-day, minute-by-minute as units are constantly diverted to areas that become a priority in a blink of an eye. Service members train and prepare for unimaginable scenarios, leaving a lasting impression on their professional and personal lives.

"Everyone was brave ... people understood the risks, but everyone got in the truck everyday thinking about the job and how to get it done," said Capt. Drew Gehler, 39th Security Forces Squadron, Charlie Flight commander, as he recalled his most recent deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, from June 28 to Dec. 17, 2006.

When the "in lieu of" tasking dropped on the 824th SFS out of Moody Air Force Base, Ga., a total of 165 Airmen, from about seven support functions, were called upon to fill a unit deployment to Baghdad. Their mission: train and conduct operations side-by-side with the Iraqi police.

"When we arrived, there was no support structure and we were faced with building a base within a base -- establishing all logistics," said Captain Gehler.

Within about four weeks the Tactical Operations Center was up and running and the 732nd Expeditionary SFS Detachment 7 was postured as a Police Training Team.

As flight commander for three squads, Captain Gehler oversaw the PTT mission, training more than 800 Iraqi policemen on community policing, improving unit capabilities more than 100 percent. When the unit was asked to contribute combat patrols to a group of neighborhoods, or mohalas, his squads coordinated morning and afternoon patrols in several locations. The squads' tactical abilities and training were key during numerous small arms engagements against anti-Iraqi forces while on patrol.
Improvised explosive devises, ambushes, gun fights and kidnappings were a daily occurrence as Captain Gehler's flight led more than 40 combat police patrols in Baghdad's war-torn Al Doura District. His patrols with Det. 7 covered more than 100 square kilometers of urban terrain as the joint team of U.S. Air Force and Iraqi police tried to keep control of the area and maintain a safe environment.

While serving as convoy commander, his convoy was attacked by insurgents. Captain Gehler provided command and control, enabling his forces to foil the ambush attempt and complete a fuel escort mission, moving 2,500 gallons of aviation fuel with no casualties or damage.

"The most dangerous part of each shift was the drive to and from work," said Captain Gehler. "A few times we would roll down the road and right behind our squad another patrol would get hit in the exact spot we were mere minutes before."

When Captain Gehler wasn't on foot patrols in and around the mohalas, he oversaw the collection of names and information helping identify leaders and members of Sunni and Shia death squads during 363 murder investigations. His squads were also responsible for detaining insurgents at 75 Iraqi police checkpoints manned by a combined force of more than 1,200 personnel.

"I was impressed and proud of my Airmen and noncommissioned officers for breaking a lot of misconceptions about the Air Force and our capabilities," said Captain Gehler. "We knew what we could do, and others noticed the way we carried ourselves and portrayed professionalism at all times."

Maj. Bryan Gillespie, 39th SFS commander, presented Captain Gehler the Bronze Star Medal for his achievements as flight leader of Det. 7 June 7 at a commander's call in the base theater.

"I'd go back again and do the same thing," said Captain Gehler. "Security forces is given a lot of training, equipment and responsibilities ... and have much more utility than the old perception of our AFSC. It's nice to feel as though I'm able to use all my skills in such a positive, effective way."