Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force presents Bronze Star with Valor at Airman's Call Published Jan. 26, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Aileen Carter Nellis Public Affairs NELLLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Gen. William M. Fraser III, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, presented a Bronze Star with Valor to Airman 1st Class Antonio Antunez Jan. 26 during an Airman's Call at the Thunderbird hangar. General Fraser visited both Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases to observe several missions at the installations. While deployed to Iraq last year, Airman Antunez, a 99th Security Forces Squadron member, distinguished himself by saving the life of an interpreter, who was trapped in a vehicle during a convoy mission. Airman Antunez placed his own life in danger by pushing the man out of harm's way and leading him to safety. "Airman Antunez epitomizes the Air Force Core Values. He is an inspiration to us all," General Fraser said. The award presentation set the tone for the topics during the Airman's Call. However, this one was unique because the objective of the visit was to speak to Nellis Airmen and address their concerns, the general said. "It's an opportunity for me to hear what's on your minds," he said. He opened the floor to questions after the award presentation, a series of questions were asked by Nellis Airmen from various organizations. One question asked about force training and its effect, considering the fact that recent initiatives have been short-lived. "We have developed a new process, a very deliberate process, a force development council, to ensure our focus on certain areas," General Fraser said. "We have man-power shortages in some career fields that are severely stressed and strained, and we are going to focus on those. Through this development council, we're going to try and make the best of things so that we can help ourselves get back on the steps." Another question caught the general off-guard, but made him laugh. An Airman asked what the Air Force Core Values meant to him. It starts with integrity and doing the right thing when no one is looking with what you have, he said. Service comes with the territory when you're sworn in and everyone should do the best of their abilities to achieve excellence. "I never aspired to be at this level; I thought that maybe making it to major was attainable," General Fraser said. "I was proud to do anything, but I've learned something all along the lines. Just serve where you can and do the best; it's my job to serve." The general left his audience with a reminder that every Airmen's part, no matter what, contributes to the success of the Air Force mission.
