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Airman promoted in midst of earthquake relief

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nathan D. Broshear
  • 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti --  When Staff Sgt. Diane Brown stepped into the Joint Task Force-Haiti Joint Operation Center this morning, she knew she'd reached a career milestone. Today, her line number for Technical Sergeant was in the group to be promoted. The fact that she was to be promoted in the midst of assisting the people of Haiti during Operation Unified Response made the event all the more rewarding.

"I've missed every one of my promotion ceremonies because of deployment, work or other reasons," said Staff Sgt. Brown, deployed to JTF-Haiti from 1st Air Force's Rescue Coordination Center.

"I'll never forget how I was here doing my job to help the people of Haiti when the whole team recognized me....I was really surprised at the gesture," she said.

To add a special touch to the occasion, Sgt. Brown's supervisor approached Brig. Gen. Darryl Burke, the Air Component Coordination Element director and Air Forces Southern vice commander, to officiate the ceremony.

"It was a pleasure and honor to recognize a fellow Airman," said General Burke. "It's important -- even during this extremely busy operation -- to take time to mark the achievements of our newly promoted Airmen. She deserves to be proud of this day."

While in Haiti the newly promoted Tech. Sgt. Brown works in the Joint Personnel Recovery Center within the JTF-Haiti Joint Operations Center. She's been in Haiti since Jan. 28th, and was working on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson with the Navy for approximately a week prior to moving ashore.

During her 11-year career, Sgt. Brown has deployed several times. Sgt. Brown credits her mother for assisting in child care and providing constant encouragement to help her continue to serve.

"My mother is the one who makes all this possible," she said. "I wish she was here to share this moment, but I'm always thinking of her....I miss you mom!"