Airmen get awards for duty in Iraq Published June 13, 2006 By Senior Airman Travis Edwards Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nine Nellis Airmen from the Explosives Ordnance Disposal Flight of the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron received medals at a ceremony Wednesday honoring their service in Iraq. The ceremony, officiated by 99th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Michael Bartley, featured three Bronze Star winners and six Army Commendation Medal recipients. “These guys risked their lives every day to clear improvised explosive devices and weapons caches to keep coalition forces safe,” said Capt. Brian Castner, commander of the 99th EOD Flight. The Bronze Star is awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity in or with the military of the United States, distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight. Winners of the Bronze Star Medal were Tech. Sgt. Brandon Koebbe, NCO in charge of training; Tech. Sgt. Steven Stillings, NCOIC of equipment; and Staff Sgt. William Cameron, EOD craftsman. The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States other than general officers who distinguished themselves by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. The award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of a friendly foreign nation who distinguishes themselves by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement or meritorious service, which has been of mutual benefit to a friendly nation and the United States. Winners of the Army Commendation Medal were Staff Sgt. Aaron Andrews, Staff Sgt. Chad Ortiz, Staff Sgt. Mark Gostomski, Senior Airman Justin Walter, and Airman 1st Class Anthony Sennhenn, all EOD journeymen, and Master Sgt. Kevin Johnson, superintendent of operations. While deployed, the 99th EOD Flight was U.S. Central Command’s second largest EOD unit. It replaced Army teams at Forward Operating Bases McHenry, Summerall, Wilson, McKenzie and Berstein. Between March 2 and Sept. 9 last year its members conducted 1,547 response calls to improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordnance, and weapons caches. Members also deactivated 403 live IEDs during that time period. The team was cited for leadership in the face of overwhelming adversity. Medals were awarded for courage under fire, facing direct combat during attacks, ambushes, and danger from IEDs. The primary mission of all EOD forces in Iraq is to conduct counterland, counter-IED, and intelligencecollection operations. The nine Nellis Airmen supported Air Force and Army missions throughout Iraq, operating at Balad Air Base, Kirkuk Regional AB and Forward Operating Bases Paliwoda, McHenry, Summerall, Wilson, McKenzie, and Bernstein. “I am extremely proud to serve along these warriors. In my opinion they are the best Air Force has to offer,” said Captain Castner.
