Airman gets coined four times while on deployment

Published May 24, 2013
By Peter Borys
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Wikipedia explains it this way; a challenge coin is a small coin or medallion (usually military), bearing an organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Traditionally, they are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale.

In addition challenge coins are collected by service members and these collectibles can be presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement by a member of the unit.

Some Airmen get coined while performing their duties in an exemplary manor while on deployment, but few receive four coins within a six month period.

Senior Airman Patrick Debo, 914th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, was eager to do a good job for his first deployment. He accomplished that and more.

His deployment took him to Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyz Republic, in November of last year for a six month deployment where he worked as a general purpose mechanic and customer service Airman.

"I worked on busses, vans, trucks, Humvees and forklifts. As customer service whenever a vehicle would be down on base, I would go out and try to fix it in the field if I could and if not, coordinate with vehicle ops to have it towed into the shop," said Airman Debo.

His first coin was presented by a K-9 unit at Manas, "for continually jump starting their vehicles even though the vehicle was technically not our responsibility," said Debo. "I continued to help them out and they loved it."

While at Manas, Debo also volunteered to help with the Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Program where he received training to be a victims advocate. While there he helped some victims cope with what had happened, helped escort them to and from anywhere they needed to go and to be someone who would listen.

"After something like this happens that person's perspective of society is very jaded. They don't trust a lot of people and my job was to help ease them back into society and deal with people," said Debo. Unfortunately, some sexual assaults did occur while at Manas to both females and males and was not exclusive to the Air Force.

For this and helping out at the wellness center in Manas he received a certificate of appreciation from the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and his second coin from the chaplain's office.

Debo volunteered to assist with Critical Tool Kits; specialized tools for vehicles, and big ticket items. The tools valued at up to $30,000 dollars required to be secured, inventoried and maintained.

"I typically worked 14 hours a day and I enjoyed every minute of it," added Debo.

After four months at the Transit Center at Manas, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan put out a request in February of this year for a volunteer to help their vehicle maintenance section with a draw down and a Limited Technical Inspection. Debo volunteered and was on his way to Afghanistan.

There he went over every vehicle with a fine tooth comb and identified every problem. If it had a problem he would scan it, look up the prices, and see how long it would take to order.

"I did my best to help accomplish the mission in any way that I could," said Debo. "They had a Special Operations C-130 gunship crew out there as well and we identified about six vehicles immediately that were going to be dispositioned (thrown out).

According to Debo, eighty five percent of the C-130 gunship crew's vehicle fleet was down for maintenance. Vehicles that were used to transport weapons, ammunition and aircrew.

"I had six vehicles that were going to be thrown out due to unserviceable conditions that we could strip for parts," said Debo. "I called up their mechanic and asked what they needed. They needed batteries, starters, alternators, etc. Once cleared through higher channels, I started pulling out anything I could salvage to help get their fleet back up to acceptable levels."

"By the time I left Kandahar they got their vehicle out of commission rate down to 60%," explained Debo.

As a result of his efforts Senior Airman Patrick Debo received his third coin and an empty 105mm shell as tokens of appreciation.

The 105mm shell proved to be a challenge to get home.

"It took three days of getting the paperwork set up," said Debo. "Customs still required it to be modified. With the help of a British unit the primer was drilled out and the shell was cut for modification."

A certificate of appreciation was presented to Senior Airman Debo after he volunteered to the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) helping out whenever they had a wounded warrior that had to be transported further to Germany or the states.

"I would help load the injured onto the aircraft. That was a very sobering experience," explained Debo.

While still at Kandahar, Airman Debo was presented with his fourth coin from the Office of Special Investigations for repairing critical issues of the only available Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle. His ability to fix the problem quickly resulted in their vital mission continuing with only a minor delay.

Debo offered this bit of advice to new Airmen who have not yet deployed.

"If you're going to Afghanistan, keep your head down. If they are going to someplace like the Transit Center at Manas, volunteer to do stuff off base. That's one thing I wish I had done," said Debo. "There are a lot of opportunities to help out the locals. It feels good to help out other people. You learn a lot too."

"He is a great Airman," said Captain Gina Pizziconi Cupples, 914 LRS commander. "His performance proves that informal leadership can emerge from any rank and any career field."

Now with one deployment under his belt Senior Airman Debo has aspirations to someday become a Para Rescue (PJ) member.

"That caught my eye. It's pretty much medical on steroids," said Debo. "As a kid I've always wanted to help out people. I joined the military as a vehicle maintainer because I didn't know much about them when I joined the Air Force and I do enjoy working on cars so that is where I fit in," added Debo.

This October will mark his fifth year in the Air Force and he definitely wants to make it his career.

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