From Air Force Link: Former Iraqi citizen returns to serve as Air Force officer.

     The journey to American citizenship and eventual commissioning in the Air Force was a long and dangerous path for Iraqi-born Capt. Rasul Alsalih of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.

     He was 29 years old and living in his hometown of Samawah, Iraq, when the United States and its coalition partners ejected the Iraqi army from Kuwait in 1991.

    I am always amazed at how strong the dedication that we Americans have to our Nation, wteher we were born here or came here from another land.  Captain Alsalih represents everything that is great about America, and Americans.  He has my unending respect and admiration for the courage he showed in fighting against opression and tyranny and risking all to build a better life.

    "I had a lot of admiration and respect for the military because my experience in the refugee camp gave me a good impression of them -- of how strong they are, how caring they were. They took good care of us in the camp," Captain Alsalih said. "I formed my opinion about the military and I wished to become one of them because they did a good job for us. I still remember the names and the faces of the soldiers who helped us in the refugee camp."

Capt. Rasul Alsalih, a project officer for the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, discusses a construction project with an Iraqi national. An Iraqi by birth, Captain Alsalih fought against Saddam Hussein shortly after Desert Storm and found refuge in an Army camp in Saudi Arabia. He was educated in the U.S. before seeking a commission in the Air Force. He was one of four servicemembers recognized as an "Outstanding American by Choice" this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder)

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