Flight engineer volunteers for special duty in Iraq: Senior NCO takes 365-day tour as combat aviator advisor to Iraqi air force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The rolling hills and big sky of Montana will be exchanged for the dry, sandy landscape of Iraq for one Malmstrom senior NCO. 

Master Sgt. Michael Koss, 341st Operations Group UH-1N Huey Standardization and Evaluation NCOIC, leaves this week for a 365-day deployment working as a combat aviator advisor to the Iraqi air force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

"I'll be instructing their enlisted aircrew on aerial gunner duties and mentoring them to become better NCOs and aviators," he said. "Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job by teaching the Iraqis to sustain themselves." 

Sergeant Koss heads downrange to meet up with his fellow 341st Space Wing teammates, Capts. Marc Milligan and Shane Werley, 40th Helicopter Squadron UH-1N pilots, who deployed last November to assist with pilot training in the area of responsibility. 

"I will be working directly with Captains Milligan and Werley, and am looking forward to reuniting with my fellow Malmstrom Warriors," the master sergeant said. "Just the thought of being able to re-establish the Iraqi air force to the once respected stature they previously enjoyed will be a great experience. This is a unique opportunity for me as a career enlisted advisor." 

More than 18 years of military aircraft experience will be the backbone of Sergeant Koss' new job in the coming weeks. He, along with two other engineers, will instruct new Iraqi air force recruits on the TH-1H Huey II, which is similar to the UH-1N aircraft at Malmstrom, but has newer avionics and has a single engine, rather than a dual engine. 

"There will also be a training team teaching on the Russian Mi-17 helicopters as well," Sergeant Koss said. "The (Iraqi) air force will focus their training on the two different aircraft." 

No matter what the aircraft or where he's advising enlisted troops, Sergeant Koss' co-workers believe he is the most capable Airman for the job, both deployed and at home station. 

"I think Master Sgt. Koss is a great choice for the (special duty deployment); he brings a lot of Air Force knowledge to the table," said Tech. Sgt. Jay Orr, 40th HS superintendent. "He is a great friend on- and off-duty and he will be sorely missed here at the 40th. We'll miss his expertise and his knowledge as a person, mentor and friend." 

Lt. Col. William Thomas, 40th HS commander, said he is confident Sergeant Koss will represent his country, the U.S. Air Force, the 341st SW and the 40th HS in an exceptional manner. 

"This deployment provides an outstanding opportunity for Sergeant Koss to serve his country in a different capacity, executing meaningful work with a sense of purpose, while making a tremendous difference along the way," the lieutenant colonel said. "I cannot think of anyone more qualified for this demanding duty." 

During Sergeant Koss' duty in the AOR, he will live alongside his Iraqi and coalition forces teammates - eating in Iraqi mess halls and living in similar quarters. 

To help with the transition to this new lifestyle, he attended the Air Advisor Combat Skills training at Camp Bullis, Texas, earlier this year. He learned a variety of skills to prepare him for his tour of duty; everything from small unit movement tactics, language and weapons training to convoy duties and responsibilities. 

"I think my favorite part of the course was the language and cultural training. It was most helpful, especially since I'll be living among my Iraqi colleagues for one year," Sergeant Koss said. "The things I'll learn from this deployment, such as living in another culture and experiencing a different way of life, will be something I want to share when I return. That's what I'm most excited about."