Kingsley Airman shows No Slack attitude during deployment
Kingsley Airman shows No Slack attitude during deployment
[edit]By: 2nd Lt. Heather Bashor,
173rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Kingsley Airman have a reputation for their personification of the Air Force Core Values. As they travel around the country and world, their No Slack attitude is evident, reinforcing the positive reputation of Kingsley Field. Major Stephen Schultz, a traditional guardsman who serves as a Health Services Administrator for the 173rd Medical Group, was no exception.
Schultz, a professor of Medical Imaging Technology at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Ore., recently returned from a 12 month deployment to Arlington, Virginia where he served in various distinct capacities for the Office for the Administrative Review of the Detention of Enemy Combatants (OARDEC).
Schultz recalled how his experience began. “I was ready and willing to deploy” said Schultz. “When the opportunity arose, I quickly responded.” Schultz knew the assignment was related to Guantanamo but was not sure of the details.
“I had to respond to an extensive questionnaire in order to qualify for the deployment,” stated Schultz. “The questions examined my thoughts and feelings towards 9/11, and my connections to anyone directly or indirectly impacted by 9/11. Also, I could not have previously deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.”
After being chosen for the deployment and attending a 30-day training in Mid-East culture and the Islamic faith, Schultz began his official deployment duties as a Case Research Officer researching cases regarding Guantanamo detainees. His primary duties involved the research and review of hundreds of documents in order to develop an argument from opposing perspectives: The case for continued detention of a detainee as well as the case for transfer or release of a detainee.
Schultz explained that the process required the methodical review, analysis and consolidation of intelligence and law enforcement reports from the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Intelligence Agency, and other U.S. Government intelligence agencies. It included the identification, transfer and reading of over 2,500 documents to ensure all pertinent information was considered to make an accurate determination.
Next, Schultz was tasked with compliance to DoD Freedom of Information Office requests. This position involved many hours of reading and redacting documents for release to the public. Schultz developed a reputation for his, “analytical acumen and thoroughness.” He redacted 17 detainee Administrative Review Board (ARB) cases that required the review of 1500 document pages.
As Schultz continued to shine, he was given more opportunities to lead and grow. Due to his outstanding efforts, Schultz was personally chosen to manage the Guantanamo Foreign Delegation Liaison Program as the Department of Defense Liaison Officer to the State Department. He worked with the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice and the State Department to coordinate foreign delegation trips to Guantanamo, and he was responsible for obtaining security clearances for foreign delegation members.
These foreign delegations interviewed detainees at the U.S. Naval Base Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for possible transfer and relocation to their country of origin. Schultz escorted the foreign delegations from Washington DC to Guantanamo Bay. Upon arrival at Guantanamo, Schultz remained with the foreign delegations throughout all of their activities including interviews with detainees to determine suitability for citizenship in their respective countries.
“What an eye-opening and rewarding experience,” explained Schultz who was able to witness many aspects of the operations at Guantanamo Bay as well as play a major role in furthering the safety and security of our country and continued partnerships with other nations.
The lessons learned from Major Schultz’s experience are the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities offered by deployments and the value of hard work and persistence.
“They did not want me to leave,” stated Schultz.
Schultz was an invaluable asset to the OARDEC. He returns to Oregon as an outstanding representative of Oregon and the Air National Guard.