Des Moines, Iowa -- In conjunction with the 132d Wing’s 12th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA), the 132d Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group (ISRG) received the Outstanding Air Reserve Component ISR Group of the Year in December of 2017 for the evaluation period of January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. Awards like this are made possible by the hard work and dedication of Airmen like Staff Sgt. Dawn Dawson, an imagery analyst, and Airman 1st Class Shane Marin, a targeteer.
Marin has been with the Iowa Air National Guard since March of 2016 as a member of the ISRG. Marin said as a new Airman only one year out of technical school, he knows that there are bigger things to focus on, one of those being achieving the award. As a targeteer he works with provided data to determine the best possible ways to disrupt, disable or destroy critical elements of a given target. Outside of this, Marin is usually one of the first Airmen to volunteer for TDYs or more schooling.
“Later I’ll be going to an underground facility, I also hope to get battle damage assessment training and collateral damage assessment training,” said Marin.
Marin is always looking for ways to improve not only himself, but the mission as well. “Just gaining everything I can to be the best Airman possible,” said Marin.
Marin’s attention to detail can be seen in more than just his hard work with the Iowa Air National Guard. He also enjoys drawing and uses this ability in his graphics business to work on screen print graphics. Because of his unique ability Marin was able to assist in a design for a morale shirt for the Airmen of the 132d ISRG.
Marin’s enthusiasm is evident as he talks about where he wants to be in the future, “I enjoy coming into work, this is where I want to be full time if the opportunity arises,” said Marin.
Marin said that enthusiastic attitudes, as well as coming in and not leaving until a job is finished, are important and the reason that ISRG received the award.
Dawson is another example of an Airman who works her hardest to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and accurately. As an analyst she finds, measures, and identifies the critical elements of a target. When she joined the Iowa Air National Guard four years ago she was in a unique position, as the 132d Wing was in the middle of its mission change. When she learned of the position within intelligence she knew it was a good match for her research skills.
Dawson’s research skills come from her former librarian experience and she is an avid reader. Because of this she likes to keep up to date on current events in the world, using this knowledge to provide insight into how other cultures view things that they see on a daily basis.
Since she joined the ISRG, Dawson has been able to experience a lot, including support of operations at home and abroad, such as South Korea.
“One of the cool things about our job is we can work on projects from all different areas of the world and with different organizations that need our help,” said Dawson. “Every day can be something different, and I like that, being able to learn something new.”
Dawson said the reason ISRG stands out is due to their perfectionist attitude, in that they always get things done accurately and on time. Chief Master Sgt. James Holwegner, the ISRG Superintendent, agrees with this idea. He said the reason ISRG does such great work is because they work, as well as encourage, as a team on assigned tasks.
“Both Dawson and Marin are true Intel Warriors who are dedicated to their tradecraft and are constantly looking for ways to improve not only their skills, but the skills of others,” said Holwegner.