Wangler named Airman of the Year

AIRMAN OF THE YEAR, SrA Joseph A. Wangler

Exhibiting excellence in leadership and job performance in primary duty, as well as base and community involvement led to the naming of Joseph A. Wangler of Brownsboro as Airman of the Year.

Currently stationed stateside at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, Wangler joined the Air Force December 9, 2003. He spent seven months - August 2004 to March 2005 - in Iraq during his first tour of duty, then again from August 2005 to July 2006.

On December 8, Wangler phoned his parents George and Barbara Wangler that he had won the esteemed award.

“I was very proud of him,” Mrs. Wangler said. “We’re both just so proud of him, his brothers and sisters are, too.”

Mrs. Wangler said her son has always been one that stands up for justice and follows the rules.

“He does what his commander says,” she said. “He’s easy going and really humble. He doesn’t want a lot of hoopla.”

Wangler’s nomination for award letter lists numerous accomplishments including but certainly not limited to:

Vital member of the Air Force’s first spiral of Medium Truck Detachments, lauded by CENTAF/CC for superb effort; Mastered M-249 SAW/

M2 .50 caliber crew served weapons; hard target facade, discouraged insurgent threats; Performed M2 .50 caliber gunner duty; Escorted 275 sustainment vehicles throughout Iraq, distributing 978K tons of rations/ammunition; expedited delivery of 82 M1114 tactical vehicles; platforms worth $12M; Deployed 4th Infantry Division assets to FOB Falcon aiding Army forces in securing 20 mile perimeter.

Wangler maintained 185 vehicles; achieved 80 percent utilization rate, was a Key member of 70 MTD “Team of the Month” for Feb. ‘06; Provided SABC to Filipino National, dressed and bandaged injured hand. His swift response saved a limb from amputation.

He obtained an Army Driver’s Badge amassing 18K mi--navigating Iraq’s most deadliest roads incident and accident free; accomplished 4K aircrew requests with an uncanny .3 minute response time--demolished AF standard by 97%.

He is an Aircrew support operator augmenting the transport of 54K trainee pilots and 25 Tons of cargo; maintained a fleet of 75 vehicles valued at $2.9 million.

A combat-hardened veteran, Wangler was awarded the Army Commendation Medal

for exemplary convoy support and was named a wartime hero.

His significant self improvement includes achieved Combat Lifesaver (CLS) certification, learning critical life-saving techniques. He achieved Kuwaiti/Iraq cultural sensitivity training, studied local customs and courtesies, and prevented ROE violations.

He is a dedicated and driven airman, overcoming lengthy deployment to attain 9 sh’s toward Logistics Management degree. And he attended the AF Train-the Trainer Course, learning useful training techniques which promoted him to flight training/ validation monitor.

Wangler’s base and community involvement includes being a vital member of the MAFB softball team, finishing 8th place out of 25 teams in armed forces tourney. He quarterbacked the 23 LRS flag football team and placed 2nd overall, the best showing in seven years.

Wangler dedicated 24 hours to Habitat for Humanity by erecting 4 homes for the disadvantaged and thereby enriching their overall quality of life.

Mrs. Wangler said her son will be home in time to celebrate Christmas with his family.