JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- Airman 1st Class Israel Garza is the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's Tuskegee Airman of the Week for Oct. 27 to Nov. 2.

Garza, a security forces journeyman with the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here, applied quick thinking and discipline to prevent a dangerous situation from becoming deadly.

While working at the East Entry Control Point here, Garza was faced with possible hostile activity, as an unannounced vehicle started to approach the installation. With little time to spare, Garza evaluated the situation and stopped the vehicle.

"We got up to the vehicle and pulled the person out," said Garza, who is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. "The car was a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device."

After the occupants were questioned, security forces officials determined that they had business on base and were unaware of the procedures for entering.

"You have to be on your game and have good reflexes," said Col. John Dolan, 332nd AEW vice commander. "You never know if it's an Iraqi who is hurt and needs medical care or someone with explosives strapped on his person."

Garza also played an indispensable role in securing a recent Iraqi-Based Industrial Zone ceremony here, which more than 12 Iraqi government officials and other distinguished visitors attended.

Garza, a native of Lyford, Texas, serves as the Panther's Airmen Advisory Council secretary, acting as the voice to Balad leadership for all the junior enlisted servicemembers here. He assisted in the collection and distribution of more than 5,000 pounds of toys for the Kids of Iraq organization.

Garza also volunteered eight hours a week to perform $70,000 in renovations to 532nd ESFS buildings. He took a CLEP test and received credit for six semester hours toward a Community College of the Air Force degree.