Two Nellis Airmen receive Bronze Star Medal Published Jan. 28, 2010 By Airman Cynthia A. Haughton Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Two 98th Range Wing Airmen were presented with Bronze Star Medals this month for their actions while recently deplolyed to Southwest Asia. Lt. Col. Tony Millican, 98th Mission Support Group deputy commander, received the medal for his exceptional performance in a combat zone as the commander of the United States National Support Element, Headquarters International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, from March 1 to Sept. 1. As the unit-level commanding officer for 1,200 personnel, Colonel Millican and his team provided logistics and personnel sustainment to members of all four services during a critical time in the history of the Republic of Afghanistan. During this time, Colonel Millican served as senior ranking officer on 80 convoy missions in Kabul and Bagram, and also took charge of U.S. personnel accountability after a vehicle-borne IED attack, resulting in 100 percent of over 600 US personnel accounted for in less than 90 minutes after the attack. "It was truly an honor to represent the United States Air Force among the 42 nations of the International Security Assistance Force," Colonel Millican said. "Our Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers are doing a marvelous job helping Afghans secure the blessing of liberty for future generations." Chief Master Sgt. Mark Darden, 98th Range Wing superintendent, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as chief enlisted manager of the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron, 9th Expeditionary Task Force, while supporting ground and air operations against the enemy at Joint Base Balad, Iraq and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, from Sept. 13, 2008 to April 1, 2009. During this period, Chief Darden managed 3,500 personnel movements, which brought together the efforts of 36 distinct career fields and led 570 Airmen toward completion of 86 projects valued at $97 million at 20 sites throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. Chief Darden also redirected 202 Airmen, 210 heavy equipment assets, and 3,200 tons of cargo into Afghanistan from Iraq to execute $100 million of construction supporting a surge of 17,000 military and future combat operations. "As a senior leader, it's never about yourself and what you did -- it's about the Airmen and your ability to support and take care of them," Chief Darden said. "The speed in which these Airmen worked and the level of quality they devoted to each project made me extremely proud and solidified RED HORSE's reputation for being a superb heavy construction engineer unit," he said. The Bronze Star Medal was established Feb. 4, 1944, and is awarded to individuals who, while serving in the United States Armed Forces in a combat theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States.
