 CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – For Air Force Staff Sgt. Shalounda Nightingale, currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an intelligence analyst with the operations section of Multi-National Division – South, military service is all in the family.
The 2002 graduate of Ridgeview High School in Columbia, S.C. said her husband, Jonathan, is also in the Air Force. In fact, the Nightingales are stationed together at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., where they live with their two children, Ian, who is five, and Janiyah, who is one. Nightingale’s mother, Vickey Coleman, is a retired Air Force technical sergeant.
Nightingale has distinguished herself so far in her career, as she has been selected as the U.S. Air Force Noncommissioned Officer of the Month by Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
“I was selected after (Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Schue) submitted a packet on me at Camp Victory,” said Nightingale. “I was selected based on that packet and notified of the award.”
Nightingale, who works on special programs involving counter-improvised explosive device efforts for Task Force Troy and MND-S, said she has worked hard since arriving in Iraq.
“When we came in I did a lot of new things with special programs,” she said. “I hit the ground running, and I have worked hard to keep things running smoothly in our section.”
Schue, who serves as the officer-in-charge of special programs for compartmentalized operations for MND-S, said Nightingale distinguished herself immediately upon her arrival in theater.
“(She) stepped up to the plate right away, providing a smooth operational atmosphere and exceptional administrative skills to ensure mission capability,” Schue said. “She also steps out of the box and does whatever it takes to get the job done. She looks to help others. She has brought a real spirit of teamwork to our effort.”
Nightingale has been recognized for her achievement as Air Force NCO of the Month by Maj. Gen. Rick Nash, commanding general, MND-S, who gave her a commander’s coin in recognition of her award. She said she is also slated to be recognized by Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., Director, Air Component Coordination Element, Multi-National Force – Iraq, when his schedule permits.
While working hard to accomplish her mission here in Iraq, Nightingale has also devoted herself to receiving a civilian education. She has been taking classes through American Military University, majoring in intelligence operations. She said she plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in March 2011, though she’s not sure yet what her future career plans are.
“I know I plan on staying in the military and finishing out my 20 (years),” said Nightingale. “I’m still trying to decide whether to go to (Officer Training School) or not, but I know I want to retire from the Air Force.”
Nightingale said her military career, including her current deployment, has not been an undue hardship on her family.
“My husband just returned from a deployment to Qatar in July,” she said. “In fact, I left a month before he came home and our kids had to stay with family. My family understands what I’m doing, though. My son understands Mommy and Daddy have to go to the desert to do their jobs. We’re a tight-knit family so we adjust well.”
Nightingale said she gets to talk to her son every morning before he goes to kindergarten at Scott Elementary on the air base. Her daughter, however, is still too young to understand where her mother is.
“She talks a little bit, though, and she can say ‘Mommy’ into the phone!” Nightingale said with a smile.
While Nightingale treasures her family and looks forward to the day she can be reunited with them, she is working hard now to ensure her mission is a success. This effort has caused her superiors to take notice.
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