LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Before getting down to business at the 633d Civil Engineer Squadron commander's call March 18, seven Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen, decked out in full service dress, stood at attention on the base theater stage.
"Attention to orders," echoed throughout the auditorium as approximately 250 civil engineers, leaders and family members listened intently to each honoree's citation and their rapid responses to enemy fire that resulted in saved lives and military equipment.
Tech. Sgt. Tom Pilla
Purple Heart
On Dec. 14, 2009, Pill led a four-man EOD team in support of Royal Air Forces Task Force 42 on a dismounted, deliberate clearance of improvised explosive device materials in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. While clearing a safe route into an objective compound, an IED detonated within five feet of Pilla, causing severe injuries and requiring a medical evacuation.
Staff Sgt. Sean Sandwick
Purple Heart and Air Force Combat Action Medal
While performing a Route Clearance Patrol July 13, 2009, Sandwick's vehicle was directly targeted with an improvised explosive device. Upon detonation, the EOD vehicle immediately came under direct attack from enemy small arms fire and a rocket-propelled grenade. Sandwick's helmet and glasses were knocked off his person, and he was thrown down from the turret inside the vehicle. After coming to, Sandwick retook his position as gunner and manned the gun until the convoy was out of the engagement and in a safe location.
Staff Sgt. Blake Lundstrom
Bronze Star Medal
Lundstrom led an EOD team with the 755th Air Expeditionary Group EOD Flight, Operating Location Alpha, 741st EOD Battalion, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, United States Forces-Afghanistan from May to November 2009. Lundstrom was key to the safe resolution of more than 117 emergency response missions, including 56 improvised explosive device incidents. In an effort to protect Afghan and coalition forces, Lundstrom donned the EOD 9 Bomb Suit and rendered safe two cell phone operated remote control explosive devices.
Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Fundaburg
Air Force Combat Action Medal
On March 16, 2009, Fundaburg was traveling from Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam to Combat Outpost Najil, when his mounted combat patrol was ambushed with accurate small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The initial attack disabled the lead vehicle, so Fundaburg was directed to move forward and perform recovery operations. In the midst, Fundaburg successfully gained cover in the vehicle and took over as the assistant gunner on the truck mounted weapon system for the duration of the ambush.
Staff Sgt. Thomas Becker
Air Force Combat Action Medal
While on a Route Clearance Mission June 6, 2009, from Forward Operating Base Asadabad, Becker observed small arms fire from approximately 300 meters from their location along a ridgeline. He reported the gun fire to his team leader. With permission granted to return fire, Becker expended 100 rounds in about 10 minutes. After the convoy commander called for 120mm mortars onto the location, Becker continued to monitor the area for signs of activity.
Senior Airman Jessica Berrio
Air Force Combat Action Medal
While performing a Route Clearance Mission on Route Texas Oct. 12, 2009, in the Paktia Province, Gardez District, Afghanistan, the RPC 30 came under direct attack from enemy small arms fire. As the vehicle gunner, Berrio observed multiple small arms fire from an adjacent ridgeline and positively identified the three-man insurgent group. Berrio relayed the information to her team chief while simultaneously engaging the enemy with suppressive fire for more than five minutes. The mission continued until the enemy was killed or broke contact.
Senior Airman Bradford Bends
Air Force Combat Action Medal
While travelling from Omna to Forward Operating Base Sharana, a command wire improvised explosive device went off directly under the engine of his EOD Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. As the gunner, Bends located and targeted the rocket-propelled grenade team, killing one and driving the others away. He continued to engage remaining Taliban fighters until the ambush lost momentum and recovering operations were complete.
Breaking the intensity of the ceremony, Col. Donald Kirkland, 633d Air Base Wing commander, stepped forward to congratulate his heroic disposal team.
"I came into the Air Force in 1988," he began. "The concept of ground combat was theoretical at best. At this point, it's part of our lives ... I salute you guys. God bless each of you."
Editor's Note: Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Fundaburg was the only non-EOD member to receive a medal that day. He is assigned to the 633d Civil Engineer Squadron Structures Shop as a structural craftsman.