Tallil NCO makes history

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  With history occurring here every day, there needs to be someone to make sure it is never lost. The person who makes sure that happens is Tech. Sgt. Yancy Mailes, 332nd Expeditionary Air Wing historian, deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

“I collect the raw documentation that allows future researchers to write in-depth studies on our success or failure with this operation,” Sergeant Mailes said. “Not only how we put iron on the target, but how we are rebuilding this country.”

Because Sergeant Mailes tracks much of the information about operations that occur here, he can be very useful to people needing information for reference letters of evaluations and decorations.

“The things most people ask are how many sorties have been flown and how many (passengers) have been moved. That’s real statistical-type stuff, not so much analytical,” he said.

The historian tracks the numbers, but besides statistics, he records the challenges the wing has overcome as well.

“Things like how we actually constructed tent city and how we had to overcome not being able to purchase (needed supplies) because An Nasiriyah is so devastated … give people the opportunity to study what we’ve done and repeat or improve upon the process we used,” Sergeant Mailes said. “To enable someone to be able to look back 25 years or more at operations … we’re the only ones (who) keep information that long.”

"The wing historian is one of those unsung heroes whose work is very important,” said Col. Kevin Williams, 332nd AEW vice commander. “Our wing historian has been busy documenting what took place here … from the initial combat action of Operation Iraqi Freedom to the buildup of forces to the daily activities of our airmen, so future generations can read about [what] we accomplished and learn from it."

The role of the historian might be one of support, but the product can be used for operations as well.

“The information I gather is protected and kept for all (times),” Sergeant Mailes said. “Once I gather it; we have a window in time to compare what is happening now. On this deployment, I was able to research the past to help with a problem that we were having now and assist leadership to make the best decisions on how to handle that situation.”

The history of the 332nd is a long one. From World War II’s Tuskegee Airmen to today’s expeditionary fighter, the 332nd has supported the causes of America’s military from the front.

“The 332nd AEW was the ‘tip-of-the-spear’ unit,” Sergeant Mailes said. “If anyone was to go back and look at previous histories from (Operation Southern Watch) they would see that the majority of the air strikes originated from (Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait). The 332nd has been the go-to unit for years. When the call came in March, they stepped up to the plate, built two bases in the middle of the Iraqi desert and delivered precision strike capability and close-air support that had not been seen in years.”

Being a self-described history geek has had its advantages, Sergeant Mailes said.

“I’m able to tell people’s stories,” he said. “I’m able to help immortalize people by documenting their accomplishments and telling their story so it’s not lost to time.”

When the mission of the 332nd AEW ends in OIF, the memory of what it has accomplished will not be lost.

“From my histories, people will learn what it took to do this, what we overcame, [and] how we were victorious over the enemy,” Sergeant Mailes said.