FORT LAUDERDALE — The man identified as the methodical shooter behind Friday’s “heinous” attack in the baggage area of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, served in the U.S. military in Iraq and earned 11 awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jesse Stalder confirmed Esteban Santiago’s service record and the awards he earned in a email to Patch on Friday night.

According to Stalder, Santiago served from December 2007 to August 2016 and earned the awards during his time in the Puerto Rico National Guard and the Alaska National Guard. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal recognizes members of the military who have performed service in the war on terror between Sept. 11, 2001 and a date not yet determined.

His military service as a combat engineer paints a very different image of Santiago than the person who walked into the FBI’s Anchorage office in November and demonstrated such “erratic” behavior that agents turned him over to local authorities for a mental health evaluation.

Records confirm that Santiago was deployed in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011.

Santiago’s aunt, Maria Ruiz, told a New Jersey newspaper that her nephew seemed to be happy after a period in which he acted “strangely” following his return from Iraq.

That was after the birth of his child last year.

“I don’t know why this happened,” Ruiz said during an interview with reporters at her Union City home Friday afternoon.

Known to the military both as Esteban NMN Santiago and Esteban Santiago-Ruiz, Santiago held the rank of Private First Class effective February 2016.

In addition to the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Santiago received 10 other awards during his years of service, according to military records. These include:

• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Good Conduct Medal
• National Defense Service Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ “M” Device
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• Combat Action Badge
• Driver and Mechanic
• Badge- Wheeled Vehicle

According to military records, Santiago’s military assignments included the Puerto Rico National Guard from April 2008 to November 2008; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from November 2008 to March 2009; the Puerto Rico National Guard from March 2009 to March 2010; Fort Dix, New Jersey from March 201o to April 2011 and the Puerto Rico National Guard from April 2011 to February 2014.

Santiago was placed on the Inactive Ready Reserve from February 2014 to November 2014. He served with the Alaska National Guard from February 2014 to August 2016 and then was placed back on the Inactive Ready Reserve in August of 2016, according to military records.