Gunfighters receive Bronze Star, Air Force Combat Action Medals for service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha S. Crane
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  Five Gunfighters received Bronze Star Medals while four others received Air Force Combat Action Medals for actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom during a ceremony Jan. 25 at the club here.

"We're here today to honor some of our Gunfighter's finest Airmen," said Col. Thomas Laffey, 366th Mission Support Group commander, in his opening remarks. "These are some of America's combat heroes who have performed brilliantly and heroically when they've been called upon by our Air Force and our nation in the Global War on Terrorism."

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. The medal was first authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Feb. 4, 1944, to recognize ground troops during World War II.

Those who received Bronze Star Medals were:

- Maj. Matthew Boschert, 366th Security Forces Squadron, for service from Dec. 7 to June 7, 2007. As provost marshal for the 148th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Major Boschert demonstrated directed law and order operations on the largest coalition forces base in Multinational Division North Iraq with oversight of more than 15,000 forces and civilians on a 16 square mile installation.

- Senior Master Sgt. David Ayers, Master Sgt. Michael Bernard, Tech. Sgt. Brandon Bayne and Staff Sgt. Andrew Adrian, all from the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron, for  service to the U.S. as part of the explosive ordnance disposal flight, 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, 447th Air Expeditionary Group, Sather AB, Iraq, from Jan. 13 to July 1, 2007.

"We were doing our everyday job," said Sergeant Adrian who helped disarm 54 improvised explosive devices in six months. "It wasn't heroic; it's what we're trained to, and I'm glad to do it."

"You can't get much closer to the tip of the spear than what these EOD troops are doing down range," said Lt. Col. Timothy Wood, 366th CES commander. "The IEDs and weapons caches they destroy have a tremendous impact on the war effort and ultimately save coalition force lives. We're all extremely proud of their accomplishments."

The Air Force Combat Action Medal was approved by the secretary of the Air Force on March 15, 2007, to recognize any military member of the Air Force who actively participated in combat. The principle eligibility criterion is that the individual must have been under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured space or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire. The four medals that were awarded on Jan. 25 were the first at Mountain Home AFB of the nine AFCAMs approved so far for the installation.

"We're extremely proud to be awarding this prestigious medal to these deserving Airmen and thrilled that we've had 100 percent of our applications approved by Central Air Forces Command," said Colonel Laffey.

Those who received Air Force Combat Action Medals were:

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Blevins, 366th Logistics Readiness Squadron, for combat operations on April 7, 2005, when he sustained injuries while commanding a 40-vehicle convoy. His vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device on the passenger side, injuring multiple people.

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Salisbury, 366th CES, for hostile combat operations on May 25, 2006, when his forward operating base came under direct fire. Upon hearing the incoming fire, Sergeant Salisbury assumed a defensive position and returned fire. When the fire halted, Sergeant Salisbury remained in an over-watch position while the quick reaction force assessed the situation.

Staff Sgt. Michael Pray, 366th CES, for hostile combat operations on June 11, 2006, during an EOD emergency response mission. Sergeant Pray was engaged by the enemy through the use of an IED. Following the blast, the sergeant performed an assessment for injuries and ascertained vehicle operability.

Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling, 366th SFS, for hostile combat operations on Aug. 8, 2006, after he was called upon to assist the Afghan national police and army in repelling an insurgent attack when a force of over 100 well-trained and well-equipped foreign fighters ambushed three U.S. security forces members and 35 Afghans. While returning fire, Sergeant Kimberling's position was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, knocking him and his teammate to the ground and exposing him to a barrage of gun fire. The sergeant returned fire, killing both enemy fighters. His actions were instrumental in eliminating an estimated 20 anti-coalition militants and saving the lives of more than a dozen Afghan soldiers and police. Sergeant Kimberling ensured zero friendly casualties during the engagement.

"The end result in our actions that day were that the checkpoints weren't attacked for another six months," Sergeant Kimberling said. "It was just another average day. It wasn't heroic; I didn't do anything that any other Soldier or Marine wouldn't have done. It was just me supporting the man on my left and right."

"Sergeant Kimberling is quick to point out he didn't do any of this alone; it took solid team work and trust on the part of all involved," said Major Boschert. "The humble attitude he portrays is common in many of our Airmen involved in extraordinary events. I do, however, disagree with him on one point: his actions were heroic, and he saved lives. He relied on his training and didn't hesitate when action was needed. A perfect end to what Sergeant Kimberling referred to as 'just another average day.'"