Special operators honored at Pentagon ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Five special operations Airmen were honored at a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Feb. 24.

The award winners are:

Fighter Duty Officer Award - Capt. Brett E. Plummer
Captain Plummer is a fighter duty officer assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Squadron at Sullivan Barracks in Mannheim, Germany. During his deployment to Iraq, Captain Plummer supported more than 300 tactical air control party and combat weather specialists across the country. He streamlined the process on how close-air support is used in theater, reducing coalition aircraft's reaction time to assist troops in harm's way.

Air Liaison Officer Award - Capt. Christopher G. Wilson
Captain Wilson is an air liaison officer with the 17th ASOS, Fort Lewis, Wash. He served as a fire support officer where he planned and controlled 150 missions where 200 high-value individuals were detained and 50 enemy combatants killed. During a high-profile mission, he was the fire support coordinator and joint terminal attack controller in charge of 15 different assets that killed four enemy combatants and captured one high-value target.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier TACP JTAC Award - Tech. Sgt. John C. DeMaso
Sergeant DeMaso is a TACP JTAC with the 2nd ASOS, Vilseck, Germany. While deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he participated in more than 250 combat engagements. During one operation, he controlled more than 30 hours of close-air support against an al Qaeda stronghold, capturing 12 enemy combatants. He also provided first aid to 15 Iraqi citizens wounded in a suicide bombing. Sergeant DeMaso was featured in Portraits of Courage, Vol. III, an annual selection of highlighting the heroic efforts of Airmen.

Fighter Duty Technician Award - Staff Sgt. Justin M. Cremer
Sergeant Cremer is a battalion air liaison officer with the 25th ASOS, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. He's a leading authority on digitally-aided close-air-support systems, and developed tactics used in combat today. During one exercise, his efforts improved the accuracy of close-air support by 78 percent and reduced troubleshooting time by 50 percent. He deploys again in March to bring his expertise to the field.

Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano TACP Award - Senior Airman Alexander W. Royal
Airman Royal is a TACP journeyman with the 13th ASOS, Fort Carson, Colo. While deployed to Iraq, he participated in 22 named operations and 47 raids that decreased enemy attacks 15 percent. When his unit came under attack, Airman Royal established communications for his JTAC and provided suppressing fire during the hour-long battle. He provided 60 hours of close-air support and electronic warfare, ensuring the safety of friendly forces. His actions led to the capture of 29 insurgents, four high-value targets, 1,400 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades and 200 pounds of improvised explosive materials.

The Air Force director of operations, Maj. Gen. Marke Gibson, was the guest speaker for the event.

"These Airmen are our heroes," he said. "They're a hard-working community that largely goes unheralded for their efforts. As a pilot, we rely on them all the time, so it's great that we can gather here at the Hall of Heroes to honor their efforts."

This was the first trip to the nation's capitol for Airman Royal.

"Receiving the Losano Award is a great honor and he was a hero, so to get his award is humbling," Airman Royal said. "I've got big shoes to fill and I'm honored to be here."

The honorees were each awarded a plaque and are authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon. 

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