Woman in Air National Guard gets Bronze Star

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- An air traffic controller from northwest Missouri is the first woman in the Missouri Air National Guard to receive the Bronze Star for her work in northern Iraq.

Master Sgt. Lettia Whitaker was scheduled to receive the medal on Saturday for establishing the first air control service in northern Iraq that supported about 4,800 combat sorties.

Whitaker, of Gower, is part of the 241st Air Traffic Control Squadron. She was one of the first airmen on the ground at the Kirkuk Air Base.

Gen. Hal Hornburg praised Whitaker for developing explosive ordnance disposal procedures at the Kirkuk airbase. She also supervised numerous covert flight operations using tactical radios and night-vision goggles.

Saturday's award ceremony also honored other personnel who have returned from Iraqi service.