Warren Airman earns nation’s oldest medal

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Kurt Arkenberg
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  A Warren security forces member, who earned a Purple Heart while deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, was presented his medals during a ceremony here June 27. 

Senior Airman Joshua Brooks, 90th Security Support Squadron, was injured in a roadside attack by an improvised explosive device while deployed to Baghdad in 2007. 

While deployed, Airman Brooks was a police transition team driver and machine gunner who logged more than 2,500 miles during more than 100 missions on the hostile streets of Baghdad. 

He also conducted 25 joint patrols and assisted in training nearly 300 Iraqi police officers on force protection procedures and basic law enforcement procedures. 

Airman Brooks "is a skilled driver and machine gunner (who) outstandingly performed under fire on multiple occasions ... a truly outstanding Airman," said Army Maj. David Harris, Airman Brooks' deployed commander. 

During the ceremony, Col. Mike Morgan, 90th Missile Wing commander, echoed the praise. 

"We owe Senior Airman Brooks a tremendous debt of gratitude for his heroism, his dedication and his sacrifice. Senior Airman Brooks has experienced combat and it is his heart's desire to reenlist, continue to serve and share his experience with others. How phenomenal is that?" 

Airman Brooks humbly accepted the comments, but said he does not think he did anything different from what another Airmen would do. 

"It feels pretty special to see the support of my friends and family and the base, but I didn't do anything more spectacular than what the rest of the people are doing there every day," Airman Brooks said. "We all volunteered to be there for this mission, and we all did the best job we could." 

The Middleboro, Ky., native said he'd been looking toward the opportunity to make a difference for a long time, and the military as well as his career field was where he felt he belonged. 

Enlisting "was something I wanted to do since I was a child. I signed up to be security forces so I could deploy and was just happy I got the chance to go from here and help the Iraqi police." 

Those in attendance for the ceremony, were witness to a number of medal pin-ons, but the nation's oldest medal topped the list of accolades, not only by definition, but by historical meaning passed down from the days of Gen. George Washington, the medal's creator. 

Prior to the official pin-on, Colonel Morgan emphasized the importance of Airman Brooks' service. 

Quoting from Shakespeare's "King Henry V," Colonel Morgan said, "He who sheds his blood with me this day, I shall call my brother. 

"Senior Airman Brooks has shed his blood for this nation and is a brother to all of us in uniform." 

For his efforts in the Global War on Terror, in addition to the Purple Heart, Airman Brooks earned the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, the Army Combat Action Badge and the Army Commendation Medal.