Spangdahlem lt earns Bronze Medal

Published March 24, 2009
By Senior Airman Clay Murray
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- When returning home following a deployment, Airmen are typically welcomed and showered with smiles, hugs, gifts and banners.

When 1st Lt. Brian Rutt returned home from his first deployment, he received more than that. For his actions while deployed to Sather Air Base, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal.

The 52nd Security Forces Squadron officer's citation reads, "Lieutenant Rutt displayed exceptional leadership of 59 combat Airmen in support of the USAF's only Police Transition Team mission. He conducted 187 combat patrols and amassed 1,500 man-hours outside the wire while traveling 5,500 miles on the insurgent-infested and improvised explosive device-laden streets of Baghdad, Iraq. His training program increased the readiness of the 3,000 Iraqi police assigned and transformed two stations into fully functional organizations which enhanced the security of more than 1 million Iraqi citizens in Baghdad."

In the area of responsibility, the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Detachment 3's focus was to train and mentor the Iraqi Police so they could become a more stable and self-reliant police force.

"Our intention was that they could reach a level where they could provide security and law enforcement for the people of Baghdad, without relying on anyone else," said the native of Tucson, Ariz. "Progress was made throughout the year, and I hope things continue so that they reach that point in the near future."

While deployed for a year as the Bravo Flight commander, Lieutenant Rutt, was part of a unique unit.

"This type of mission was uncommon for Security Forces members ... to be able to run convoys outside-the-wire and train the Iraqi Police," he said. "Some people still don't understand the depth of what our guys did. Besides living on Sather AB, before moving to a forward operating base, we did not have any involvement with base security, which is something this career field is known for."

His unit worked with the Army outside of the base's fence line.

"When a squad departed for a mission, they left the secure confines of a base and went into hostile areas miles away from the base without direct support," the lieutenant said. "When a squad was attacked, they had to rely on each other and their training. Back-up forces were not always around the corner."

While the lieutenant's deployment led to many moments he will remember, he said some of his most memorable experiences come from interaction with the Iraqi Police Chiefs. They would talk for hours learning about one another and sharing stories while drinking tea.

"There were also times that we stayed out at combat outposts for days at a time," the lieutenant said. "There was always something interesting that came out of each of those trips."

Not all of the memories made on his deployment were good.

"The worst experience was when we lost one of our brothers to an IED," he said. "We lost a friend, a brother and a hero. And without each other, it would have been even more difficult to deal with and make it through."

With almost four years in the Air Force, Lieutenant Rutt, who graduated from University of Arizona has already learned lessons that he will carry with him throughout his career.

"The most important lesson I learned was the benefit of patience," he said. "Not only working with the Iraqi Police, but also higher leadership. We had to understand the culture difference between us before we could begin to make serious progress. If someone goes in assuming the 'American' way of doing things is the right way, then they will have trouble. Although one way may seem better or more efficient than another, it may not be the best approach given the situation. The phrase 'insha'Allah,' meaning 'God willing' or 'if God wills it' was heard countless times throughout the year." They have a different approach toward making things happen. They feel that if it is meant to happen, then it will. If you approach them trying to force things to happen, then you will more than likely come across resistance."

In the course of his deployment, Lieutenant Rutt saw changes to the area's security situation.

"When we first arrived in 2007, there were not a lot of restrictions to how convoys moved throughout Baghdad," he said. "If the situation dictated it, convoys could jump curbs, cross-over medians, go against the flow of traffic and maneuver at whatever speed they needed to. In essence, we "owned the roads" if we had to. By the time we left, convoys were not allowed to dominate the roads like we had a year prior. But more importantly, we didn't need to. We didn't need to have such an aggressive posture since the Iraqi government and Iraqi Security Forces were taking necessary measures to improve the security for the people within Baghdad."

The lieutenant credits the people he served with day-in and day-out for helping make the deployment to pass quickly.

"We had a amazing group of people working flight," he said. "They are the ones who deserve the majority of the credit for the progress that was made with the Iraqi Police. I am honored to have worked with them, and look forward to future deployments with them."

Lieutenant Rutt was presented with his Bronze Star Medal during a base commander's call.

"I was aware that (a package) was submitted when we submitted medals for all of the guys on flight," he said. "However, I was surprised when I heard that the medal was upgraded to a Bronze Star."

(Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore contributed to this article.)