Thirty-six Airmen were awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO Medal; 18 received the Bronze Star, 16 received the Army Commendation Medal, two received the Army Achievement Medal and one Airman was awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Russell Martin)
Capt. Jonathan Herman, who deployed from the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., stands at parade rest after being awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal and the Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2012. Herman’s explosive ordnance disposal Airmen cleared 98 IEDs, destroyed more than 29,000 pounds of explosives, provided post-blast analysis 16 times, and cleared more than two kilometers of roadway so U.S. and Coalition Forces could patrol outside the wire during their six-month deployment to Kandahar Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Russell Martin)
Thirty-six Airmen were awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO Medal; eighteen received the Bronze Star, 16 received the Army Commendation Medal, two received the Army Achievement Medal and one Airman was awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Russell Martin)
Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Paladin South, 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron were awarded 36 Afghanistan Campaign Medals, NATO Medals, 18 Bronze Star Medals, 16 Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and one Purple Heart in a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2012 before redeploying Nov. 28. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Russell Martin)
by Master Sgt. Russell Martin
451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
12/6/2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- After six months of clearing improvised explosive devices, providing blast analysis and clearing roadways, the nearly 40 explosive ordnance disposal Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Paladin South 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron are headed home, but not before being recognized for their achievements.
Thirty-six Airmen were awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and NATO Medal. Eighteen received the Bronze Star, 16 received the Army Commendation Medal, two received the Army Achievement Medal and one Airman was awarded the Purple Heart.
The Airmen come from a melting-pot of bases and commands, but together they became one team. Led by Capt. Jonathan Herman, deployed from the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Hodges, deployed from Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va., the team cleared 98 IEDs, destroyed more than 29,000 pounds of explosives, provided post-blast analysis 16 times, and cleared more than two kilometers of roadway so U.S. and Coalition Forces could patrol outside the wire.
The team conducted more than 180 missions together.
"This unit showed the courage, skill and tactical abilities required to perform the duties of an EOD warrior," said Lt. Col. Frank Davis, JTF Paladin South commander. "Time and time again they have proven themselves in some of the most lethal and challenging areas within Afghanistan and all of us at JTF Paladin South consider it a true honor to have served with each and every one of them.
"Capt. Herman, Chief Hodges, the legacy you leave is one of extreme skill, total commitment to your profession, and untold numbers of Coalition and Afghan lives that you have saved," Davis said at the ceremony honoring the Airmen.
The team arrived together at the end of May, and as a team they departed Kandahar Airfield, back to their various bases Nov. 28.
Comments
12/12/2012 9:33:50 AM ET Congratulations to my EOD brothers and sisters. Jrod Being a lowly E-4 was the reason I was told that I did not rate a BSM after being the gunner in a 10 12 hour fire fight many many miles of route clearance and IED calls... These troops higher ups had their backs and did not stoop to the BS that the rest of the AF does when it comes to giving out BSMs. Generally those who don't deserve it get it and those who do deserve it don't... I am glad to see deserving people receive the BSM for once...
Aaron, NM
12/12/2012 8:58:31 AM ET Apparently KP is the only one that got the point. These EOD folks absolutely deserve their BSMs. My comment was too bad those non-deserving recepints have tarnished the medals these folks earned in an actual combat environment.
embarrassed, overseas
12/12/2012 8:09:20 AM ET Great job I know what you guys do and you deserved every one of those medals and more Thank you so much for keeping us in one piece
Ben Campbell, Robins AFB
12/10/2012 12:11:41 PM ET It is funny to see so many of you higher ranking individuals throw hissy fits over the fact that airmen are progressing in the AF. stop complaining and enjoy seeing people especially the people in the same service as you progress and get awarded for there service. who cares if they REALLY DIDNT DESERVE it... not stoping the AF from moving forward. but what does stagnate the airforce is negative people. But hey im just a lonely E-4 what do i know... congrats to you EOD folks.
Jrod, The can
12/10/2012 8:55:01 AM ET KAF Chief... people were defending these as the real application of the deco. Read read again read a third time if you don't get that. And Wills just because a BSM doesn't have a V doesn't mean it's not too much. A BSM may have come to mean an MSM in a deployed environment but if you know your mil history you'd see it's certainly not the way it was conceived. It's an AIRMEDAL equiv for ground ops. You shouldn't be able to earn one in the office and you certainly shouldn't get one in the deid or kuwait. I swear our service has the worst military heritage grasp there are marines who come home from combat tours with not but a campaign medal... but every stinkin AF member thinks they deserve a BSM.
KP, VA
12/10/2012 4:13:37 AM ET Too bad so many's first reaction is to disparage the troops who earned these decorations instead of be proud of their accomplishments. Also too bad those who do that haven't a clue as to what they are really complaining about or the intent of the Bronze Star. I was at this ceremony and very proud of their accomplishments. Well done safe travels home
KAF Chief, Kandahar
12/10/2012 1:59:29 AM ET Welcome to club fellow heros.
Financewarrior, sittinginmynicewarmoffice
12/9/2012 8:54:11 AM ET There are 2 types of BSMs. Bronze Star for Service and Bronze Star for Valor. Trust me we all know the difference.
MSgt Wills, Kabul
12/8/2012 11:02:22 AM ET Too bad a finance desk jockey and every E-7 and above have turned the BSM into a routine commendation.
embarrassed , overseas
12/7/2012 9:04:56 AM ET 50 percent BSM rate... not bad just off the 100 percent rate for senior leaders who never leave the wire. And probably right on par with our many fine finance and support troops who never had to even clean carbon out of their weapon. Stories make me so proud to be an Airman and so sad at the same time it's nice to see BSMs go to those who deserve them. It's time we start recognizing heritage legacy and value in our decos moving beyond the entitlement culture and make sure our real combat troops are getting properly recognized.
JB, WVA
12/6/2012 2:26:02 PM ET Great Job EOD Chief Hodges glad to see you are still the fine leader you have always been.
Ken Ritsema, Joint Base Charleston
12/6/2012 8:51:46 AM ET Great photos
stephenie wade, Scott
12/6/2012 8:12:56 AM ET Congrats on a safe return home. I hope your leadership got V Devices on those Bronze Stars for all of you.
