The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal (Army Award) to Captain David Cortez, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious achievement as Chief, English Language Training, Coalition Air Force Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Taji, Iraq, from 26 July 2007 to 17 July 2008, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Captain Cortez’s outstanding leadership was instrumental in the rebirth of the Iraqi Air Force. As an Instructor and Flight Commander to the Iraqi Air Force Academy, he was responsible for blending local culture with Western influence to train 65 officer cadets. He was hand-picked to lead 26 English instructors to Iraqi Military Personnel, placing 25 percent of Pilot Cadets into training in half the time expected. Captain Cortex honored the finest traditions of military service, and reflected distinct credit upon himself, the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, and the United States Air Force.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Captain Cortez distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement as Chief, English Language Training, Coalition Air Force Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Taji, Iraq, from 26 July 2007 to 17 July 2008, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In austere conditions outside Coalition defenses with occasional indirect fire, Captain Cortez’s strong personal leadership, experience, and ceaseless efforts were directly responsible for establishment of the Iraqi Air Force Training School and rebirth of Iraqi Air Force accessions training. As an instructor and Flight Commander to the Iraqi Air Force Academy, he integrated local culture considerations with Western influence to mold, instruct, and advise 65 of the academy’s officer candidates. Captain Cortez was personally responsible for generating dormitory and drill lessons, along with inspection criteria, while executing over 300 hours of instruction for future Iraqi Air Force leaders. His demand for excellence was evident when he authored a capstone 12-event field exercise that combined small unit tactics, communications, tactical first response medical care, and land navigation to ensure basic mastery of these critical life saving skills. When the Iraqi Air Force Chief of Staff established English language as a core competency, Captain Cortez was selected by the 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron Commander over peers and higher ranking officers to serve as the initial architect for the English language training program at the Air Force Training School. In less than three weeks, he organized and trained instructors, secured classroom space, equipment, materials and established curriculum; creating an entirely new program of instruction. His leadership molded a group of 26 professionals, spanning eight separate career fields, to instruct intensive English language courses to Iraqi pilot candidates, maintenance officers, and warrant officers at Al Taji and 3 other bases throughout Iraq. Captain Cortez established a computer laboratory providing a 33 percent increase in computer-based academic training resources, further reinforcing classroom lessons and information. Understanding the critical need for pilot candidates, he instituted additional opportunities for students by directing an evening language laboratory, American movie night, and an English library allowing students the opportunity for language reinforcement. Through his leadership, the English Language Training School broke training paradigms and placed 25 percent of his students into pilot training in half the expected time. Captain Cortez utilized his maintenance-focused curriculum allowing aircraft and mechanical terminology to be integrated directly into the language program. As an advisor and controller with the Iraqi Tactical Operations Center, Captain Cortez coordinated command and control issues between Iraqi and Coalition efforts and initiated post-attack accountability exercises; ensuring 100 percent accountability of Coalition personnel. His performance and leadership separated him among his peers and resulted in recognition as the squadron’s Company Grade Officer of the Quarter for the 1st quarter of 2008. Captain Cortez honored the finest traditions of military service and reflected distinct credit upon himself, the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, and the United States Air Force.