1st SOMDG awards first OIF Bronze Star

Published Nov. 8, 2007
By 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson
1st SOW Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- History was made in the 1st Special Operations Medical Group Monday when Lt. Col. Cheryl Scaglione, 1st Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron behavioral health flight commander, became the first group member awarded the Bronze Star for service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Colonel Scaglione served as officer-in-charge of the 732nd Expeditionary Support Squadron's combat stress control clinics, the first-ever combat stress control detachment in Iraq.

The team took over what was previously an Army-led mission, something Colonel Scaglione said brought its share of challenges.

"Many of us wondered how we would be received by the Soldiers and unit commanders," she said. "Would Soldiers continue to come to the combat stress clinic for care, or would they shy away from us because we were Air Force?"

As it turned out, they were received very well, witnessing a 120 percent increase in patients. The detachment delivered more than 1,700 clinical contacts per month and operated at an impressive 99.7 percent return-to-duty rate.

Colonel Scaglione said another challenge was being away from home for six months.

"None of this would have been possible without the support of my husband, parents, commanders and fellow behavioral health staff," Colonel Scaglione said.

Throughout the six months, Colonel Scaglione's job kept her constantly busy, requiring her to focus on a broad range of medical support, from assessing the well-being of her Soldiers, to engaging with key leadership on ways to promote better psychological health and stress resilience.

On a daily basis, she debriefed units and personnel and provided individual and group counseling and treatment after enemy attacks or engagements.

Colonel Scaglione also traveled between relay points as part of a ground convoy evaluating Soldiers' well-being and providing clinical intervention when needed, always focused on "keeping them in the fight."

"I gained a new respect and appreciation for their bravery and the personal sacrifices they're making," she said.

The award citation states that Colonel Scaglione's actions "ensured that the highest standards of mental health care were maintained for front line fighting Soldiers despite the austere conditions, limited resources and remote location."

She said receiving the Bronze Star was humbling, and she was all smiles as she received her medal from Col. David Rhodes, 1st SOMDG commander.

"These awards epitomize what we're all about in the med group . . . the kind of people we have," Colonel Rhodes said.

Colonel Scaglione's mother, Julie, and husband, Lt. Col. Dion Scaglione, U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, were there to share the moment.

"I am very proud of her," Colonel Scaglione's husband said. "While it's an honor to see her recognized with the Bronze Star, I know (she) was content simply knowing that her team made such a tremendous positive impact on the lives of the Soldiers who were on the front lines in Iraq."

"I'm honored to have been part of an historic mission with a superb team of mental health professionals," she said. "It was an experience I'll never forget!"