Tinker sergeant named one of Air Force’s best Published Aug. 6, 2010 By John Stuart 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- For the average Airman at Tinker, a general doesn't call very often. But when he does, you better be available. Master Sgt. James Mogren got that call on July 27. He was sitting down. What came next was good news, as Sergeant Mogren learned he was one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. "Sergeant Mogren is a warrior and a servant," said Maj. Gen. David Gillett, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander. "He deserves this recognition because of his many accomplishments and I am proud of him." Officially announced Aug. 4, Sergeant Mogren joined the elite handful of eight other Tinker Airmen to earn the prestigious award since its 1956 inception. "I was more at a loss for words than anything else," Sergeant Mogren explained about hearing the news. "I went home that night and was talking to my wife. She said 'what do you think.' I just said 'I don't know how to take it in yet.'" Sergeant Mogren, 72nd Security Forces Squadron superintendent of logistics, earned the award, in large part for his meritorious service while on a 277-day Afghanistan deployment in 2009. While on patrol, Sergeant Mogren's vehicle was hit with an improvised explosive device. In the moments after the blast, the security forces sergeant went to work, administering first aid to wounded team members and called in close air support for medical evacuation. In his own words, Sergeant Mogren was just doing his job. But it was a job that earned him a Bronze Star. "I love helping people out," Sergeant Mogren said of his work. "It is an everyday job, with new challenges." But Sergeant Mogren knows one thing. The next year is going to be a busy one. What first attracted him to the Air Force 21 years ago was the prospect of travel. With nine deployments under his boots (seven of them in the Middle East), he's certainly accomplished that during his career. Now, as he's looking at a hearty travel schedule that will require about one week TDY per month, he's looking forward to being on the move once again. Though his current duties remain the same, being named one of the 12 means Sergeant Mogren will become a liaison between Airmen and upper-tier leadership. He will serve on several advisory boards with fellow Outstanding Airmen and will have direct access to the under secretary of the Air Force, among other duties. Sergeant Mogren and his wife, Eva, will spend a week in Washington, D.C., with the other 11 Outstanding Airmen as the AFA conducts its annual conference. They'll be introduced to Congress and may even meet the president, Sergeant Mogren said. Sergeant Mogren emphasizes he was merely doing his job in Afghanistan. It wasn't anything that was beyond what was expected, he said. But one thing is abundantly clear -- Sergeant Mogren is committed to his Airmen at Tinker. He has a simple mantra that guides his actions. "My motto has always been -- if I take care of my troops, they're going to take care of us," he said. "I always hope that people would say 'He took care of his Airmen, took care of the troops.' That's what I try to do." The next year will be a momentous one for the Air Force cop. Always quick to shift the spotlight, Sergeant Mogren thinks he will be out of his element with the pomp and circumstance shown the Outstanding 12. But there's a reason he earned the award -- his heart is in the right place. He'll use the experience to better those around him. "I'm going to enjoy myself and just try to make the most of it," Sergeant Mogren said.