Five Ramstein Airmen earn Army combat badge

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Greg Bluethmann
  • Detachment 4, Air Force News Agency
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNEWS) --  Five Airmen from the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany received Army Combat Action Badges, for their deployment to Iraq last year in support of the Army. During their time in Iraq all five Airmen were actively engaged in combat. The vehicle operators were deployed to Iraq to help supplement a shortfall in soldiers to fill positions needed for convoy operations.

"It was truly a joint operation. They (the Air Force) came in and filled in on two Army truck companies, took their equipment....assumed accountability of it, and learned how to operate it" said Army Colonel Michael MacNeil, who was the deployed commander of the Airmen during their tour in Iraq. Colonel MacNeil also presented the Army Combat Action Badges to the Airmen during the ceremony.

The Airmen were thankful that the Army took the time to recognize them. "It's an honor to have them (the Army) come down and recognize us and say hey, the Air Force can do our mission....they can do our job" said SSgt Terra Orourke, a Vehicle Operations Dispatcher from the 435th VRS.

Airmen are not authorized to wear the Army Combat Action Badge in uniform, but it's a way for the Army to show their appreciation for the Air Forces support during the deployment. All 5 Airmen will be put in for the Air Force's new Combat Action Medal.

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