First airborne ISR operator who enlisted as a 1A8X2 becomes senior noncommissioned officer

  • Published
  • By Catherine White
  • 363d ISRW Public Affairs
WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Okla. --  Last month, the 306th Intelligence Squadron hosted a virtual promotion ceremony for Master Sgt. D. Cody Kaglic, 306th IS flight chief of standardization and evaluations. The occasion marked the first time in U.S. Air Force history that an Airman who enlisted day one as an Air Force Specialty Code 1A8X2 became a senior NCO, said Senior Master Sgt. T. Kearny Vertner, 306th IS superintendent.
 
1A8X2’s fly as primary aircrew onboard a variety of aircraft to operate, evaluate, and manage ISR information and related ground processing systems.  The 1A8X2 career field married Kaglic’s passion for flying with his desire to be a part of the intelligence community.
 
Naturally, he found his home with the 306th IS, which trains and qualifies airborne cryptologic operators to execute special operations missions worldwide.
 
“He’s [Kaglic] the top enlisted evaluator in the squadron,” said Vertner. “He spent his entire career in the 306th IS in one way or the other.”
 
Kaglic, whose first duty station was with the 306th IS when they were stationed at Beale Air Force Base, California, is still with the squadron nine years later. “Working with the 306th IS has been very special for me,” said Kaglic. “It’s a squadron that I’ve gotten to watch the progression of in such a short time for a career field that’s in such high demand—it’s very rewarding.”
 
The squadron’s trainings constantly adapt to what’s happening on the battlefield and require strong leadership to implement those changes in an efficient manner.
 
“Cody is one of the most intensely motivating folks I’ve ever worked with,” said Vertner. “His willingness to accept feedback, challenge assumptions, and work hard for his Airmen is exceptional and will suit him well as a master sergeant and beyond.”
 
His positive attitude extends beyond his work duties. In the wake of COVID-19, Kaglic’s promotion ceremony was pushed online, but there was a positive side to the virtual ceremony. “It was cool, because having it virtually I was able to see a lot more family, and friends and mentors that I’d made over the years, than I would normally see at a promotion ceremony,” said Kaglic.