Airman coordinates Iraqi future

Published April 9, 2010
By Senior Airman Jarrod R. Chavana
ACCE Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- Behind every great leader is someone working endless hours in order to coordinate all actions that progress the leaders agendas. For Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., the Director for the Air Component Coordination Element to U.S. Forces-Iraq, Force Strategic Engagement Cell to U.S. Forces-Iraq, and Air Expeditionary Task Force Detachment 2, this person is Maj. Britt Warren.

The ACCE-I is the senior Airman in Iraq and represents the Combined Force Air Component Commander to the Commanding General, United States Force-Iraq. He also facilitates information flow between the CFACC and Air Force Forces and USF-I staff/assigned organizations. This helps coordinate and enable air operations for/with coalition forces and provide strategic oversight to ensure the synchronization of all air component assets with USF-I for combat and non-combat operations.

Another large tasking the general is responsible for is the FSEC mission, which is the lead element enabling reconciliation between the Government of Iraq and separatist groups within Iraq.

"My mission is to support the general and make sure he has the information, products and schedule to execute the mission of the ACCE, the FSEC and his role as the commander of the 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force Detachment 2 director," said Major Warren, ACCE executive officer. "Performing the ACCE mission alone is enough to keep an exec busy, but with the boss, I have to deal with three areas of responsibility and it can be challenging."

The mission of an executive officer is to take care of the details for whomever they are assigned to help. In this case, Major Warren facilitates organizing the general's schedule, travel and meetings. He also provides the products such as meeting information, slides and documentation so that the general can focus on the bigger strategic picture.

"My job is important because of what General Reynes does, not what I do," said Major Warren, deployed from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. "Making sure the boss has everything he needs to be ready and given time to prepare is huge. It's not acceptable to hand him new information five minutes prior to a meeting with other general officers, or with key leadership engagements with Iraqi's and expect him to execute on a strategic level. His decisions effect lives across Iraq."

Major Warren's day normally begins before dawn and doesn't end until the late evening. On top of being an executive officer for the general, he also committed himself to continuing his education during breaks in his day.

"My day begins at 6 a.m. and ends around 11 p.m., seven days a week," said Major Warren. "That doesn't include gym time. Generally, I have to ask people in the office to bring me meals because I don't have the time to get to the DFAC. Once I finished my work for the general, or if I knew there will be a meeting that would last a couple of hours, I would try and get my homework done.

"I would get online, download the products I needed to study and sit outside the meeting and highlight the important points," he said. "Then on the back side of the blank paper, I'd fashion an outline so later that night, I could start writing the paper. I was able to complete the final 6 classes (24 hours) of my Masters in Business Administration."
Like in all jobs, if someone is unable to do their job at a high level they can be removed and assigned to a different position or let go all together.

"I was on a six month tour and General Reynes asked me to stay a few more months," said Major Warren. "You don't always get praise for all the work you put into your job, but when the general asked me to stay I felt honored."

"Major Warren has been an invaluable asset to the work that's been accomplished in Iraq over the last eight months, said Major General Joseph Reynes Jr. "As an exec, he has been my right hand and created seamless transitions for all ACCE-Iraq and Force Strategic Engagement Cell day to day operations. I can truly say, not many people could handle the multiple "hats" he has helped us wear in support of USF-I, General Odierno and the Iraqi people."

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