Airman contributes broad spectrum to Iraq contigency

Published June 4, 2011
By Senior Airman Chuck Broadway
9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq Public Affairs

VICTORY BASE COMPLEX, Iraq, -- Lt. Col. Teek Dorsett has deployed seven times -- some as a fighter pilot, others as an advisor. In his most recent trip to Iraq, he found himself in a different role. Dorsett was deployed to the Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq to serve as the operational planner. His priorities are to research and plan all air power related issues in Iraq.

This time around he integrated the priorities of the Combined Forces Air Component commander into daily Iraq joint operations. Furthermore, he coordinated staffs and led communication with C-130 missions at several different locations to provide support to ground forces.

"I learned the different uses of airpower in a stability operation," he said, "However I missed working directly with the Iraqis."

In his last deployment in support of Iraq, Colonel Dorsett advised Iraqis on their translation of Iraqi National Security Strategy to the Iraqi Air Force objectives, plans and basing strategies as well as aircraft acquisitions.

"The Iraqi Air Force Airmen and security forces deserve recognition as they assumed the lead role in defending their country," Dorsett said. "I am amazed at the progress in five years through three assignments to Iraq. They are amazing and gracious people who are fighting desperately to build a democratic Iraq."

Throughout his entire time in Iraq, the Lynn Haven, Fla., native said his biggest accomplishment was implementing a team concept and facilitating this idea to promote progress between U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Colonel Dorsett said there were tons of problems to be solved, but sometimes people forget to take time to build a process that will help reduce the chance of the problem occurring again.

"The team I worked with tried not only to solve the problem, but to implement a process to make things better for the next group of airmen," he said. "The airmen continue to bring the global airmen perspective to the fight and never walk past a problem."

Other challenges he faced during his time here was communicating not just with Iraqi forces, but with the other services among U.S. troops. Colonel Dorsett's inexperience with this cross-service communication provided his greatest obstacle as he tried to press forward with his mission.

"Due to my misunderstandings and lack of joint experience, I sometimes could not make my airmen's perspective clear or explain it properly in the joint context," he said. "I overcame these by developing relationships with the personnel in my sister services and asking for their assistance and patience with me as they taught me their perspective."

Dorsett said communication gaps were bridged during his time and the joint staff in Iraq understand the costs and benefits of airpower.

"Considering how much is going on in the world and Iraq, I'm amazed how much work this organization puts out with such a small staff," he said when referring to the mission the 9th AETF-I is currently doing. "The work is truly strategic in nature and it is impressive how a small group of Airmen can be placed together for short periods of time, build a team and execute so well."

Mission accomplished