ANIERICAN ACCOUNTS OF IRANIAN NIISSILE ATTACKS JANUARY 2020 Table of Contents Forward page 3 Al Asad Air Base, Iraq Lt. Col. Staci Coleman page 4 Maj. Johnathan Jordan page 6 Capt. Nate Brown page 8 Capt. Adella Ramos page 9 Master Sgt. Janet Liliu page 10 443 AES Security Forces Defenders page 12 Anonymous 443 AES Security Forces page 14 Senior Master Sgt. Noal Yames page 16 Lt. Col. Michael Welch page 18 Staff Sgt. Brian Sermons page 20 Senior Airman Warren Gibbins page 22 Capt. Wesley Florez page 24 Staff Sgt. Christian Evans page 26 Staff Sgt. Daniel Watford page 27 Senior Airman Kade Cowen page 28 Erbil Air Base, Iraq Master Sgt. Anthony Chacin page 29 Senior Airman Dalvin Burns page 30 Camp Taji, Iraq Tech. Sgt. Brennec Barnett and Staff Sgt. Brandon Fritz page 31 Camp Manion, Al Taqaddum, Iraq Tech. Sgt. Karla Maldonado and Staff Sgt. Shane Rehbein page 32 . 1: 4 Maj. Gen. Alexus G. Antonio J. Commander Command Chief 9th Air Expeditionary 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Levant Task Force-Levant In the early morning hours of Jan. 8, 2020, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles clearly targeting US military and coalition forces at Erbil and Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. No member of the US military has been killed by an enemy air strike since the Korean War in 1953, and that remains true thanks to the courageous and decisive actions taken by Airmen on the ground to disperse, evacuate, and shelter forces on an unbelievably crunched timeline. Within a matter of hours, leaders at the squadron level had to decide which Airmen should evacuate, and who should stay in harm's way to ensure mission continuity. How to do this isn't taught at our leadership courses. The decisions made by bold and brave leaders across the region, executed by trained, professional Airmen at every level, saved the day and precluded further escalation. We assess we could have lost countless Airmen and soldiers in this attack along with hundreds of millions of dollars in hardware. This event marks a lasting memory in many Airmen's lives, and these accounts recall the human aspect of this con?ict. When faced with great adversity, our deployed Airmen responded with their lives at risk. They reacted, and after surviving the largest theater ballistic attack in modern warfare, they remain resilient. Here are their stories. 3 Lt. Col. Staci Coleman 443 AES Commander Al Asad Air Base, Iraq On the evening of January 7th, I was informed that Iran planned to attack A1 Asad. I stood by my desk trying to wrap my mind around the reality of the situation. I needed to develop a plan to keep all 160 of my personnel safe, and I knew I didn?t have long to make a decision. I worked a plan with my director of operations and ?ight commanders to evacuate half of my team, while the remaining half would stay behind to operate and secure the air?eld. My ?ight commanders were responsible for compiling the lists of personnel, and I explained it needed to be divided by combat capability and then by those they believed were emotionally equipped to endure remaining behind for a possible missile attack. I told my DO that he would go with the evacuation team. We needed to preserve combat capability, and if things went horribly wrong back here, I needed him to return and command the squadron and resume operations. He didn?t question me, but I could tell it made him uneasy. I was being forced to gamble with my members? lives by something I couldn?t control. I was deciding who would live and who would die. I honestly thought anyone remaining behind would perish. I didn?t believe anyone would survive a ballistic missile attack, and it made me feel sick and helpless. In the end, I said a prayer and asked God to guide my actions and protect my troops. I resolved to place the fate of my team in His hands and I refocused my attention on executing the plan. As I shook hands and hugged the necks of my teammates who were evacuating, I told them not to worry and that I?d see them tomorrow. . .even though I doubted what I was saying to be true. As they left and the remaining members began stocking bunkers with essential items to last us through the night, I took a few moments to sit alone and contact my family to say one final love you.? Once the last aircraft took off, we closed the runway and settled in the bunker. The ?rst wave of missiles hit, and the ground shook with a force impossible to put into words. The blast waves could be felt throughout the entire body. There was no doubt I made the right decision to evacuate half my team, but I feared those left behind might not live through the night. was being forced to gamble with my members? lives by something I couldn ?t control. I was deciding who would live and who would die. After about the third wave of strikes, I became convinced that we could walk out alive as long as the bunker didn?t take a direct hit. But I was extremely concerned for my security forces team outside, as well as my air?eld ops ?ight in a separate bunker. I had no idea if they were okay. We had poor radio signals inside the bunker and no way to reach them. I had to just sit and wait. At last, my security forces team pounded on the bunker door and informed us there were no known casualties. It was a miracle. The other members of my team returned approximately '12 hours after evacuating Al Asad. I don?t know what I?ve done to deserve such dedicated and loyal Airmen, but I know without a doubt the blind trust and genuine love we?ve developed over the past few months played a major role in our survival that night. 6 Maj. Johnathan Jordan 443 AES Director of Operations Al Asad Air Base, Iraq The commander came to my of?ce asking me to join her in her of?ce. Tensions had been building in the region for the past few days after the drone strike on Soleimani. As Iwalked. to the commander's of?ce, I was expecting to read a threat report of an attack against Al Asad a barrage of rockets, harassing ?re. Something we have seen before. When I read. the threat report, my heart sank as soon as I read "rockets from Iran." I knew that meant missiles. I walked next door to the Expeditionary Rescue Group to discuss their plans and what other intelligence streams they had received. They were seeing the same report and asked if our squadron wanted to evacuate with them to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. Several things ran through my mind during those moments. I thought, ?We have to maintain operations, we need to get as many people as possible out of harm?s way, and we need to be prepared for total destruction.? I immediately went to the commander and advised her that the rescue group would be able to take some of our squadron. ?Ok. You?ll lead the team that is evacuating,? she said. I can't explain the frenzy of emotions that ?owed through my body. Shame for being a little relieved I was leading the team away. Guilt I was leaving some of the squadron behind. Determined. Anxious for what I may return to discover. The commander and I looked directly at each other and executed. We both had ajob to do. We briefed the ?ight commanders and instructed them to make a list of who is staying and who is leaving from their teams. Like a script from a movie, they immediately understood the commander's intent and made it happen. As I read the lists, I envisioned all the faces of those staying behind. Eighty and eighty. Eighty staying behind to make sure the mission continues. Eighty leaving to make sure the mission continues. We trusted our ?ight commanders and they trusted us. ?Eighty staying behind to continue the mission. Eighty leaving to make sure the mission continues. We trusted our ?ight commanders and they trusted us. I led my team out onto the dark ?ight line and boarded the C?l30. I could only imagine the pilot's mind. We were heavy and a steep take-off was needed. We landed. at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing and now the wait began. Like a bee bouncing around, I tried to reassure my troops, crack jokes and talk through their anger of not being with those we left behind. I chose not to tell them we were the ?broken glass? plan. I couldn't tell them that I was getting my mind around the fact we might have to identify bodies and lay our friends to rest. I tried to contact someone at Al Asad. Nothing. I felt hopeless and helpless as the news broke of missile attacks on base where the rest of my squadron was. Early the next morning, I received a message that everyone was okay and all accounted for. Chills rushed. through my body. We had survived. I rallied my team as we celebrated the good news. We planned out our return to Al Asad. I told them our squadron would be tired, and it was our time to get to work. As we boarded the buses to the plane back to Al Asad, I looked at my troops, eager to get back and relieved their friends were okay. I took one more opportunity to speak. "Anyone notice our squadron patch is a Phoenix? Phoenixes rise from the ashes.? Capt. Nate Brown 443 AES Civil Engineer Flight Commander Al Asad Air Base, Iraq The evening of Jan. 7, 2020, was a complete whirlwind. There was an intensity inside our squadron?s building that night that I have never felt before. As I assembled my ?ight, I took a few deep breaths to calm my voice before I spoke. I had previously determined with my senior enlisted folks that six was the minimum number of personnel required for us to make repairs to the air?eld. We called out the names of those staying and those evacuating. I gave each of them a big hug as they walked past me on their way to the aircraft. We told each other, ?I?ll see you tomorrow,? ?ghting back thoughts of what might happen that night. We all knew there was a possibility of never seeing each other again. Fast-forward to midnight. My team is out in a bunker with other members of the squadron as we anxiously await for what?s in store. We?re inside ?the attack window? indicated by intel reports. Another hour passes. Maybe we?re ok. We?re outside the window, right? Maybe I?ll try to lay down in the bunker and get some sleep. Before I have time to doze off, I feel it. There?s been an attack on the base. I throw on my body armor as more impacts come. No one says a word. The explosions ?nally stop, and I feel a collective sigh within the bunker. The next wave hits. Then the next, and the next. I have no idea if anyone is alive outside this bunker. Around sunrise, we ?nally depart the bunker and learn of no casualties being reported. I lived to see the next morning. I smile. I say a small prayer of thanks. The hand of God protected us that night. He protected all of us. Capt. Adella Ramos 443 AES Air?eld Operations Flight Commander Al Asad Air Base, Iraq The proceeding paragraphs are an attempt to describe the intangible. I can only hope that this will serve to help those who were not there understand the courage, bravery, and strength of the human spirit exempli?ed that night. That night and days to follow are something that I will always carry with me. I watched as commanders made life or death decisions based on little information and a whole lot of gut. I witnessed simultaneous relief and resentment displayed by the people, who were told they had to leave their teammates behind. On the faces of those who stayed, I saw the power of sheer will to make it to tomorrow, peer through watery eyes after saying their goodbyes to their teams and loved ones. No one quite understood the magnitude of what we might be facing. But as the night carried on, there was an unspoken understanding that this might be it. We might not live through this. At 29 years old, I never thought an island girl from Guam would end up a world away in western Iraq, amidst an unprecedented and historical form of combat. I?m still not quite sure if there was a higher reason for my presence here, but if nothing else than to learn from this experience. I learned that you are capable of handling more than you think as I worked to lead my team in a focused, calm, and strong manner. . .even though on the inside, I was feeling quite the opposite. I learned that in the uncertainty of your mortality to ?nd solace in your faith and at all costs to protect your mental fortitude. The mere seconds following the announcement for were felt in slow motion. Not knowing if you would be the target was the biggest mental tribulation. I learned there is immense power in brotherhood among my military family. In the face of what I felt was my darkest hour, I was not alone. I knew that that together we could get through anything. And we did. Janet Liliu 443 AES RAPCON NCOIC Al Asad Air Base, Iraq I received a text message from one of my controllers that Captain Ramos needed me at the squadron, and it was urgent. She asked me to help choose the controllers I needed to stay behind to keep the air?eld open, and the others would evacuate. I wasn?t sure of the details, but I knew it was serious. I decided that three of my most experienced supervisors, Master Sgt. Wesley Corbin, Staff Sgt. Mason Recla and Staff Sgt. Evan Weathersby, would stay behind, and the remaining nine controllers would evacuate. In the middle of the chaos, I sent messages to my family telling them I loved them. I saw people calling their loved ones everywhere. I could feel the sadness in the air. People were calling back home, not knowing if it would be the last time they would see or hear from them. My kids were at school when they got my messages, and one-by-one, they called me. I was heartbroken, but I had to focus. Half of my team was staying, and the other half was leaving. Seeing my guys? faces and hugging them before they left is something I?ll never forget. I kept thinking, ?This should not be happening.? After they evacuated, I went to make sure my three remaining guys were okay. I remember looking at the radar scope, and the sky was full of aircraft. It was surprisingly so calm. It looked like just another day at work. We stayed until the last aircraft carrying a group of evacuees made it out, and then we closed down the facility. It was eerie hearing, ?Attention all aircraft: Al Asad Air Traffic Control is evacuating.? What happened in the bunker. . .well. . .no words can describe the atmosphere. As we got settled, some took a seat on the ?oor and others on the cots. The captain sat by the door and I sat right next to her. Some 10 of us joked, trying to make light of the situation, but the reason why we were there was weighing heavy on everyone. Around I am, we heard ?Seek Shelter, Seek Shelter, Seek Shelter,? over the loud speakers, then we immediately felt and heard the impact. Dirt particles sprayed through the openings of the bunker. I was gifted a cross earlier that day, so I held it prayed quietly and thought of my parents, my kids, my family, everyone. I wasn?t ready to die, but I tried to prepare myself with every announcement of an incoming missile. I had to. We all had to. wasn ready to die, but I tried to prepare myself with every announcement of an incoming missile. I had to. We all had to. Our Security Forces team constantly came to check on us. It was so nice to see their faces when the bunker doors opened and hearing them on the radio when they were out. There were times after the impacts we?d hear them across the radio, and then very long periods of silence. I would ask the captain if she thought the Defenders were okay, and she reassured me they were. She said they were safe. I knew she didn?t really know, but it calmed me down. Then ?nally around sunrise, we heard the report of no casualties and the ?nal announcement of ?All Clear.? We did a quick clean-up of the bunker, disbursed to conduct a damage assessment of the facility, and we were back at work to continue air traffic control operations. It was a long night and even longer moming, but we were all safe. . .Thank God. My guys did such an incredible job, and I?m so happy that we made it. There?s an undeniable, indescribable bond that was made that night and early morning we?ll never forget. John Haines Bryan Moody Drew Davenport Michael Booth 443 AES Security Forces Al Asad Air Base, Iraq It was very clear something big was happening. The entire base seemed to be bugging out. We received a quick intel brie?ng around 8 pm. from our Security Forces ?ight commander, who con?rmed we were expecting an attack from Iran possible threats of chemical, biological or ballistic missiles inbound between the hours of '11 pm. and 1 am. Throughout the night, we drove around in our military all-terrain vehicle (MATV) and visited all the posts and patrols, checking on the teams? welfare and readiness?watching and. waiting for something to happen. Around 1 am. we dismounted at an Entry Control Point and heard the ?rst announcement of INCOMING over the radio and quickly ran back to our MATV for protection. As we closed the door, there was a large explosion and the ?rst impact of a missile struck only 100 meters away from our position. We could feel the blast and continue to hear missiles hitting other locations on base as they lit up the night sky with every impact. We began to sweep the base looking for casualties, structural damage and impact sites. It seemed. the entire base was enveloped in smoke and dust. More missiles struck the base throughout the night, while we continued to sweep the ?ight line, ramps and areas where personnel were sheltering in bunkers. At one point, we heard over the radio that we were needed to help evacuate personnel from a perimeter guard tower. A missile had struck so close that it had damaged the tower and ?ames were blocking the exit. We quickly maneuvered toward the tower through ?re and. debris created by two impact sites, where we saw two Army personnel attempting to evacuate the tower through a small 12 opening normally used to hold a .50 caliber machine gun. They were crawling out of the tower onto seven-feet?tall HESCO barriers lined with layers of concertina wire. Master Sgt. Haines realized there wasn?t much time to react, so he slammed the MATV into the HESCO barriers to create a bridge for the soldiers to escape the tower and avoid the c-wire. Once the two soldiers made it safely onto the MATV, our team split into two groups. A few of us held the defensive position to maintain perimeter security, while the rest of us quickly checked over the soldiers for any serious injuries and brought them to their company commander at a separate area on base. After we returned to our patrols, we learned the Army desperately needed a safe landing area as their Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) were circling overhead and running dangerously low on fuel. Our team coordinated with the Base Defense Operations Center and the Army to determine the best location to avoid any impact sites for them to safely recover six RPAs, saving more than $120 million worth of combat capability. Upon conclusion of the many missile assaults, we conducted battle damage assessments, relayed information to the BDOC of no known casualties on base, and made it to the bunker where our squadron commander and other personnel were taking shelter. We continued to check in on personnel as morning came and finally made it back to our rooms to rest around 7 am. Anonymous 443 AES Security Forces Al Asad Air Base, Iraq 1 ?Recall now at the squadron with gas mask and real world ?lters.? That?s the text I got at approximately 8 pm. on Jan. 7, 2020. When I got to the squadron, I saw worried looks in everyone?s faces despite their attempts to stay calm and collected. My mind began racing thinking about every possible outcome. Our captain briefed. us, ?We have intel reports that we?re going to be hit with a ballistic missile that could possibly have chemical or biological hazards, or we?re getting hit with 30 rockets. Either way, we are defenders. We are going well. Standby for postings.? When they called out postings, they said that some people would be staying and some would be ?ying out to evacuate to a safe location. I was told. I was part of the team staying behind. I?m not going to lie. I was happy hearing what I was posted. If things were to pop off, I?d be right there on the front lines and that is what I signed. the dotted line to do. As soon as I got to my post, I started mentally preparing myself for how I would lead my team through various scenarios that night. As we drove out to the air?eld, we surveyed the area and saw every single aircraft ramping up to leave. I texted my wife to say, ?We?re okay right now.? At the same moment I sent the text, the base got the noti?cation INCOMING, We felt the impact of the ?rst missile as we took shelter in the closest bunkerfelt the shock wave as debris from the explosion pummeled our shelter. My ears wouldn?t stop ringing. The next four hours became a "blurred mix of emotions and