The 'Big 22' returns from Operation Iraqi Freedom

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nicklaus Walker
  • 22nd Fighter Squadron
SPANGDAHLELM AIR BASE, Germay --  The 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the 22nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit "Stingers" returned to Spangdahlem Air Base from Operation Iraqi Freedom this week.

While deployed, they generated and flew more than 1,600 sorties and dropped more than 60,000 pounds of ordnance. They did this in direct support of ground troops - including one occasion where pilots could hear bullets hitting a wall behind the controller calling for air support.

The No. 1 goal of the 22nd EFS was to "protect the friendlies," and the squadron returned with their goal accomplished. This was evidenced by the fact that no U.S. troops lost their lives while Stinger pilots were overhead. At the same time, the Stingers prevented scores of casualties with their actions and flight discipline.

The 22nd EFS had only a few months to transform from experts in their primary mission of suppression of Enemy Air Defenses to the Close Air Support mission required in Iraq. The squadron began this transformation by deploying to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in January 2007 for weapons training. Being in Turkey also provided the squadron with the chance to practice flying and maintaining in an environment similar to Iraq.

The Stingers deployed in late September. Between September 2007 and January 2008, the 22nd EFS provided 24-hour CAS for coalition forces throughout Iraq.

The 22nd EFS was a key player in Operation Phantom Phoenix, perhaps better known as the "40,000 pounds of bombs in 10 minutes" strike -- the largest air strike since the opening "Shock and Awe" bombing campaign in 2003. Capt. Kristian Thiele and Capt. Joe Markowski, 22nd EFS pilots, were involved in the air strike.

"Just realizing that putting iron on target helped make things a bit safer for those on the ground that day made this entire deployment worthwhile," Captain Markowski said.

In early January, Capt. Andre Senay and Capt. Coleman McDonald used exceptional judgment and relied on their tactical training to get bombs on target when the troops on the ground needed them quickly, despite the very challenging weather. Captain McDonald said he remembered, "The low clouds and night made the target more difficult to hit, but in the end, smart decisions, tactics ad weapons made the attack a success."

In another notable mission, Capt. Travis Keenan and Capt. Kelii Chock came to the aid of a special operations team under attack from insurgents.

Captain Keenan strafed the insurgents with the coalition forces less than 50 meters away. Captain Chock followed up with a 500 pound bomb, which neutralized the insurgents and allowed the friendlies to withdraw.

"This wasn't a typical sortie," Captain Chock said. "When we checked in we could hear the distress in the JTAC's voice. They were pinned down and taking direct fire. When he keyed the microphone, you could hear bullets hitting the wall behind him."

Captain Chock said Captain Keenan began suppressing the enemy fire, which gave the rest of the unit time to coordinate and drop a GBU-38 GPS-guided bomb.

Two days later, it was determined that every friendly had survived. A few personnel took bullets in their body armor, but everyone made it home.

"I know we both hope to never be in that type of situation and hear someone scream for immediate air support," Captain Chock said. "Luckily, we were able to ensure that our soldiers made it home safely."

The special operations team leader credited Captains Keenan and Chock with saving his and his team's life. Many of the Stingers' missions were in direct support of coalition raids on Al Qaeda in Iraq.

One night, Capts. Kiwedin Cornell and James McCroan simultaneously attacked terrorist safe houses.

The blitz attack allowed coalition Soldiers to capture more than 30 Al Qaeda operatives.
The coalition force commander who led the raid had high marks for Captains Cornell and McCroan, stating that Stinger air power vastly reduced the threat to his assault force.

The 22 EAMU was led by Capt. Don Newton and Chief Master Sgt. Greg Hilliard. More than 170 maintainers amassed an amazing 99.9 percent mission effectiveness rate with a perfect safety record.