Iraqi airmen tack on master sergeant’s stripes

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Melissa Phillips
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
An Airman here chose to have two unusual attendees, or in his words, his adopted family, tack on his new stripes recently.

Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 777th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pneudraulic systems technician instructor deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., asked two Iraqi warrant officers to do the honors. They are also two of his five hydraulic students from Squadron 23, the first postwar era Iraqi airlift squadron here to fly C-130 aircraft.

Traditionally, most promotees request a family member, supervisor, commanding officer, mentor or another servicemember to tack on newly earned stripes.

“I chose to have two Iraqi students tack on my stripes because some of the reason I got promoted was I had time to study on prior deployments to the Middle East helping their country achieve democracy,” Sergeant Beason said.

It is a part of the world he said he is intimately familiar with.

Sergeant Beason has been in forward-deployed locations throughout Southwest Asia every year since 1993. But until now, he never had the opportunity to work closely with the people he was supporting.

“’Iman’ is like my Iraqi father, and the other guy is affectionately known as Iraqi Bubba because he is like the Iraqi air force’s version of me,” said Sergeant Beason of the two men who he asked to tack on his stripes.

“I didn’t want to hit him hard because he’s my teacher and a good man, and I didn’t want to offend him,” said Iman, who also graduated from the maintenance course the same week. “It’s a big day for us all and we’re very happy to celebrate with him.”

The Iraqi airmen’s graduation moved them one step closer to assume control of their own airlift without American assistance, Sergeant Beason said.

“It really meant a lot for them to be there at my promotion ceremony,” Sergeant Beason said. “Granted being promoted to master sergeant is a big step; however, I think being able to allow the Iraqis participate in one of our oldest traditions is also a big step.

“When I got back to my seat, I teared up,” he said. “I will never forget this day in my life. We are over here to train them on how we operate and do things. Who says we can’t train them on how we celebrate?”

The ceremony was an eye-opener for his students because even though many of them have served in the Iraqi air force for many years, they do not observe the same traditions as U.S. Airmen.

“Pretty much the way they got promoted in their Air Force (during Saddam Hussein’s reign) was by time in service, and they don’t make a big deal out of it like we do,” Sergeant Beason said. “One of the guys (who) tacked on my stripes has as much time in the Iraqi air force as I do on the Earth.”

The men told Sergeant Beason when Iraqis celebrate, it often gets a tad bit louder.

“When I told them I was getting promoted on my birthday, one of my students wanted to know if I was going to shoot a gun in the air, throw a grenade or set off some dynamite,” he said. “I couldn’t stop laughing at the notion, but that is how they celebrate. I told him that we don’t celebrate like that in the United States, and he told me once he got home, he would shoot off some rounds for me.”

Sergeant Beason said this deployment has been about breaking down stereotypes he built over many years of watching bad press about Iraqis.

But to his surprise the same people he once mentally fought against brought him food and gifts, asked him about his family and took a genuine interest in his life.

“When we got back from the ceremony, they somehow got a birthday cake and decorated the room with what party supplies they could find. It was really special,” Sergeant Beason said. “They’re my family now, and I will truly miss them when I leave.”