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Ammo NCO recognized for Iraqi advisory role

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jason Lake
  • 321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI -- Iraq --  A 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron munitions systems specialist advising more than 50 Iraqi troops was recently recognized by Air Combat Command for his efforts.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Cantrell, deployed here from the 1st Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., was presented the command's 2010 Logistics Safety Outstanding Achievement Award by Brig. Gen. Anthony Rock, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air director.

For the last 10 months, Sergeant Cantrell has been training, advising and assisting the Iraqi Army Aviation Command soldiers how to safely store, handle and employ munitions as they work with UH-1 and Mi-171MM helicopter aircrews.

The Mobile, Ala., native, who has three deployments under his belt, loves the unique challenge of advising and training servicemembers from another country.

"Once guys finished their five skill-level training, we gave them our ammo patches ... they're real proud of that," explained Sergeant Cantrell, who got married on his 15 days of leave back in November. "Now the others ask when they can get theirs. It motivates them."

The 11-year Air Force veteran, who typically works on munitions for the F-22 Raptor back home, also served as the unit's range safety officer during six small arms training sessions and taught his Iraqi partners how to inventory more than 190,000 rounds of ammunition - including rockets for helicopter rocket pods.

"He's done an outstanding job out here," said Lt. Col. Ralph Okubo, 721st AEAS commander. "Sergeant Cantrell has built strong personal relationships with his Iraqi partners -- turning wrenches with them and building their trust and respect."

When his Iraqi partners ordered new M-240 machine guns for aerial gunners on the Mi-17/Mi-171MM helicopters, Sergeant Cantrell and his coworker, Tech. Sgt. Bryan Felix, spoke with U.S. Army Soldiers on base to develop a weapon safety training program and mount the weapons.

"Being an advisor here has been the best experience of my career," said Sergeant Cantrell, who is less than two months shy of finishing his one-year deployment. "My Iraqi partners call me brother and treat me like one of their family. I would love to do it all over again if I could."