.Airmen honored for work in Iraq
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE - Two explosions ripped into the Iraqi night, shredding the tires and tearing apart the side of an 18-wheeler in a convoy escorted by security forces from Patrick Air Force Base.
The troops fought off insurgents until an F-16 jet began buzzing overhead.
"It was like an angel from above," Tech Sgt. John Knisley said.
That was just one of many instances to occur during dangerous supply convoys airmen from Patrick escorted during a six-month deployment to Iraq.
In a ceremony Friday morning, 45th Space Wing commander Brig. Gen. Mark Owen pinned Bronze Star medals on Knisley and Master Sgt. Carlos Torres, and Army Commendation Medals for exceptional meritorious service on 10 other airmen for jobs well done in Iraq.
The airmen, who returned from their deployment to Iraq about a month ago, said they shared the award because they worked as a team.
"It's not about me," said Torres, who was the ranking sergeant in his group from the 45th Security Forces Squadron. "Without them it wouldn't have happened."
The security forces airmen, some of whom had deployed previously to Iraq for more typical Air Force duties, this time were pressed into non-traditional roles protecting supplies headed for bases and outposts throughout Iraq.
"It was a step outside of our traditional duty," said Staff Sgt. Charnetta McDonald. "We were trained for what we did. We were prepared for it."
The involvement of airmen and sailors on the ground in non-traditional roles is necessary because the Army and Marines have been stretched, said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a Washington D.C.-based defense research organization.
"It really doesn't matter what's the color of their uniform," Pike said. "It's not like they're going down to the flight line and grabbing a mechanic and handing him a rifle. These folks have the skills."
The airmen received about three months of special training for their mission before deploying to work as joint forces with Army soldiers.
"It was tough," Tech. Sgt. Enrique Barrera said. "It was intense. The training that we went through was tough."
FloridaToday
The troops fought off insurgents until an F-16 jet began buzzing overhead.
"It was like an angel from above," Tech Sgt. John Knisley said.
That was just one of many instances to occur during dangerous supply convoys airmen from Patrick escorted during a six-month deployment to Iraq.
In a ceremony Friday morning, 45th Space Wing commander Brig. Gen. Mark Owen pinned Bronze Star medals on Knisley and Master Sgt. Carlos Torres, and Army Commendation Medals for exceptional meritorious service on 10 other airmen for jobs well done in Iraq.
The airmen, who returned from their deployment to Iraq about a month ago, said they shared the award because they worked as a team.
"It's not about me," said Torres, who was the ranking sergeant in his group from the 45th Security Forces Squadron. "Without them it wouldn't have happened."
The security forces airmen, some of whom had deployed previously to Iraq for more typical Air Force duties, this time were pressed into non-traditional roles protecting supplies headed for bases and outposts throughout Iraq.
"It was a step outside of our traditional duty," said Staff Sgt. Charnetta McDonald. "We were trained for what we did. We were prepared for it."
The involvement of airmen and sailors on the ground in non-traditional roles is necessary because the Army and Marines have been stretched, said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a Washington D.C.-based defense research organization.
"It really doesn't matter what's the color of their uniform," Pike said. "It's not like they're going down to the flight line and grabbing a mechanic and handing him a rifle. These folks have the skills."
The airmen received about three months of special training for their mission before deploying to work as joint forces with Army soldiers.
"It was tough," Tech. Sgt. Enrique Barrera said. "It was intense. The training that we went through was tough."
FloridaToday
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