From the Frontlines: Staff Sgt. Mitchel Cooney

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
From sunrise to sundown, vigilant efforts are needed to help fight the global war on terror. As U.S. and coalition forces assist in the rebuilding of Iraq, third-country-national workers are brought onto installations to build, clean and learn under the watchful eyes of their escorts.

Staff Sgt. Mitchel Cooney, 509th Communication Squadron assistant NCO in charge of radar systems, returned from Southwest Asia, May 23, rounding out a four-month deployment.

As the force protection escort area supervisor for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, Commercial Engineer Squadron, Sergeant Cooney ensured his escort team was performing its duties.

"Airmen were required to stay within 150 feet of their TCNs, have 100 percent line-of-site visibility and maintain 100 percent accountability at all times," said Sergeant Cooney.

Sergeant Cooney was responsible for more than five TCN sites which he attended to daily.

In addition, he was liable for more than 12 escorts at each site and was ultimately accountable for more than 600 TCNs.

Overall, Sergeant Cooney said he enjoyed his deployment, but the language barrier sometimes posed a challenge with the locals.

"The job required a lot of patience and adaptation, but I learned their customs and courtesies which helped break down the language barrier," he said.

Even though Sergeant Cooney said his days were filled with long shifts, often times working six days a week, he was able to use some of his time off to participate in activities he enjoyed.

"For the most part, I spent free time at the fitness center and interacted with my comrades, often times playing cards to pass the time," he said. "I stayed fairly active."

While Sergeant Cooney spent the majority of his time performing the mission, he also volunteered his time with the Expeditionary Medical Squadron Transshipment Center inventorying shipments of blood.

"As a result, more than 300 units of blood were processed," the sergeant said. "The war fighters down range were able to receive blood transfusions and be stabilized."

Combined with his community involvement and work ethic and, it's not uncommon for Sergeant Cooney to take on a superior role according to his supervisor here at Whiteman.

"Sergeant Cooney's leadership abilities are remarkable," said Tech. Sgt. Mario Morris, 509th CS. "I can always count on him to be ready for any tasking that comes his way. The 509th CS welcomes his return to Whiteman."

Sergeant Cooney said he was overjoyed when he returned home and saw his family and friends.

"Being from Missouri has allowed me to see them more often, and it was great to get to see everyone. I am happy to be back home."