From the Frontlines: Lt. Col. Joe Hall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cody H. Ramirez
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.- --  Deployed from his position as the 509th Bomb Wing chief of plans and programs and B-2 instructor pilot, Lt. Col. Joe "Spanky" Hall is now commanding the Air Force's largest squadron.

Colonel Hall is currently deployed to Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, as the commander of the 855th Air Expeditionary Squadron.

The 855th AES contains more than 1,000 Airmen deployed to Afghanistan in support of provincial reconstruction teams, embedded training teams and agricultural development teams with a mission to teach the Afghan people necessary skills to build and sustain their country.

Spread across 11 Forward Operating Bases and five warehouse complexes, the Airmen of the 855th provide expeditionary combat support to U.S., and Coalition Forces operating in Afghanistan. The 855th helps strengthen security, enhance governance and increase development of a healthy infrastructure, while maintaining 100 percent accountability of Joint Expeditionary Tasking and Individual Augmentee Airmen throughout the battle-space.

Colonel Hall, who has been on more than 100 convoys since his arrival in country three months ago, travels between the areas.

"I move around the battle-space every day ensuring Airmen have all they need to accomplish the mission," he said. "I'm here to take care of our most valuable resource, our Airmen.

"Our Airmen represent the next generation; one that will take lessons our fore-fathers taught through blood, sweat and tears and forge a new path for others to follow," he added. "By their actions today, they leave behind a better, more prosperous world for tomorrow."

These Airmen ensure specific tactical-level missions are fully supported with the right Airmen, in the right place, with the right skill sets, on time, every time. Colonel Hall said the Joint Expeditionary Tasking and Individual Augmentee Airmen who augment our sister services are considered the elite because of their unique skills, capabilities and training. The Airmen assigned to the squadron are placed in non-typical environments and excel in what they do.

As Colonel Hall travels the Afghanistan country-side assessing health, welfare and morale of these Airmen, he said he has seen first-hand how well Airmen have been able to integrate their training, tactical skills, mental abilities and determination to excel at any task they are given.

"Following an IED explosion and direct fire, a captain maintained situational awareness and successfully defended his convoy with zero losses," Colonel Hall said. "The best part of my deployment, so far, was awarding this brave warrior with a Bronze Star.

"A sergeant who started training Afghan National Army soldiers by teaching them to count, now has them assisting her in an operation supplying the entire ANA," he continued. "They receive, account for, organize and distribute millions of pieces of equipment. The progress is simply amazing."

Maintaining the largest squadron in the Air Force isn't an easy task, but Colonel Hall said, "The experience is great and there is never a dull moment."