SJ expeditionary warriors receive Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shane Dunaway
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Two Airmen from the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight were awarded the Bronze Star April 27 for their actions in support of the Global War on Terror. 

Tech. Sgt. Edward Moats and Staff Sgt. Randy Saltzmann were both deployed to Southwest Asia as EOD team leaders. 

There have been six Bronze Stars awarded to CES Airmen in the past year, according to Lt. Col. Anthony Higdon, 4th CES commander. 

"Each of the Bronze Star (recipients) who have recently (received) awards have all been tasked to Army in-lieu-of missions," Colonel Higdon said. "The engineer mission is not only critical to the Air Force, but to the joint fight as well." 

In-lieu-of taskings are deployments where Airmen fill non-traditional roles in positions normally assigned to Soldiers. 

"Today, we are looking at two American heroes," said Col. Steve Kwast, 4th Fighter Wing commander. "This is the kind of action, courage and leadership we look for as we go down range. It makes me so proud to stand next to these men and call myself an Airman." 

While deployed, Sergeant Moats was responsible for one of the busiest areas of operations in Southwest Asia. He responded to more than 60 emergency response missions and oversaw the destruction of more than 1,000 ordnance items, 4,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, numerous improvised explosive device-making components and roughly 300 pounds of homemade explosives. 

During a mission to recover the remains of two captured American Soldiers, he quickly and safely identified all IED hazards within the vicinity which allowed for swift recovery of the remains for repatriation. 

"We had seven teams out there who would have performed in the same manner," Sergeant Moats said. "My Bronze Star is for my team, not for me. We looked out for one another and made sure we all came home together." 

Sergeant Saltzmann earned his Bronze Star for his presence of mind during an enemy engagement, which left a vehicle engulfed in flames. He set up security, deployed his robot, performed remote reconnaissance and cleared the area of all explosive hazards, which allowed Iraqi firefighters to extinguish the fire. His actions helped re-open a route for recovering assets and convoy movement. 

"Receiving the Bronze Star is definitely the pinnacle of my Air Force career," Sergeant Saltzmann said. "In December I retire, so it's a great way to go out."