An Indianola man was chosen as the 2019 Airman of the Year by the Air Force Times, as Tech. Sgt. Cody Smith of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron was awarded the honor. According to the Air Force Times, Smith is a combat controller whose bravery during hours upon hours of fierce battle in Afghanistan — during which he kept fighting after repeatedly being wounded and struck by enemy fire – may result in him receiving the Silver Star. Smith deployed twice to Afghanistan, in 2015 and 2018, once to Iraq or Syria for Operation Inherent Resolve in 2017, and once to an undisclosed location in the Middle East with an Army 7th Special Forces Group crisis response force in 2014. Find more information about Smith below.
*photo provided by Air Force Times*