AF's most combat-decorated unit since Vietnam War honors latest heroes The 22nd Combat Control Special Tactics Squardron Special Thanks to Linda Crate
1/26/2013 - JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. -- The most combat-decorated Air Force unit since the end of the Vietnam War named more heroes Jan. 23-24 during medal presentation ceremonies at Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The 24th Special Operations Wing gained one Silver Star, six Bronze Star medals with Valor, and seven Bronze Star medals when Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron were recognized with the nation's third and fourth highest combat decorations. "Like many, the Airmen's willingness to serve at the tip of the spear, directly going into harm's way to attack the enemy time after time, represents the best of America," said Col. Robert Armfield, commander of the 24th SOW. "We are proud to see their sacrifice recognized. It gives us a chance to pause for just a moment to thank these special operators and, more importantly, to recognize their families, who bear the burden of this relentless mission."
The honorees were: Silver Star and Bronze Star: Staff Sgt. Adam Krueger, see video below.
Bronze Star with Valor   Master Sgt. Douglas Neville Tech. Sgt. Michael Orlando Staff Sgt. Joshua Busch Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Roberts Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Salazar Staff Sgt. Michael Wilhelm		Bronze Star Recipients Captain Joshua Barlow Tech. Sgt. Michael A. Kurta Tech. Sgt. Matthew McKenna SA Benjamin De Boer SA Christopher Kagan SA John Moyle
Pictured above in video; Linda Crate with Lt. Gen. Fiel, Stephanie and Lt. Col. Thaddeus Allen (commander of the 22nd) at Awards ceremony. The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, will award six Bronze Stars and one Purple Heart to Airmen of the 125th Special Tactics Squadron (STS); Staff Sgt. David A. Albright, Senior Airman Chadwick J. Boles, Master Sgt. Scott A. Geisser, Tech. Sgt. Jeffery A. Dolezal, Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Guffy and Tech. Sgt. Douglas J. Matthews. For more information on this story, Click Here

McChord Combat Controllers Receive Medals, sent by Gene Johnson

Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, joins the seven Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron in an award ceremony Sept. 8 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., for their accomplishments while engaged in combat operations in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman Leah Young)

Combat Controller Receives Two Silver Stars: The Air Force has awarded two Silver Stars, the third highest award for valor, to SSgt. Sean Harvell, a Combat Controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., for his actions during multiple firefights in Afghanistan in 2007. At a joint ceremony April 29 honoring several Combat Controllers (see additional entries below), Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Harvell his medals. During one engagement, Harvell deliberately exposed his position so he could coordinate close air support during an intense 23-hour firefight. In another, when Taliban forces attacked his team as they responded to a US helicopter crash, Harvell was wounded and knocked unconscious, but he recovered, returning fire and directing danger-close CAS. And in a third, following a rolling, three-day engagement, Harvell repeatedly exposed his position during an eight-hour firefight, provided covering fire as his team withdrew, and then coordinated CAS for their replacements. The Air Force has awarded two Silver Stars, the third highest award for valor, to SSgt. Sean Harvell, a Combat Controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., for his actions during multiple firefights in Afghanistan in 2007. At a joint ceremony April 29, 2010, honoring several Combat Controllers, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Harvell his medals. The Silver Star is the third highest award for valor. Pictured; Sean Harvell to the left and Evan Jones to the right; sent by Gene Johnson, McChord CCT Photographer

Combat Controller Receives Silver Star, Bronze with Valor:  The Air Force has awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor to SSgt. Evan Jones, a Combat Controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., for his actions during two separate events while deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. He received the Silver Star for his actions during an engagement in which the coalition Special Forces team Jones was supporting came under fire from two directions. Jones coordinated close air support, returning fire and exposing his position repeatedly, and, even after being wounded, The Air Force has awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star with Valor to SSgt. Evan Jones, a Combat Controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., for his actions during two separate events while deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. Here, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz pins the Silver Star on Jones during a joint medal ceremony for 11 Combat Controllers at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 29, 2010.

Sent by Ron Childress; CCA Blog

Machine gun rounds flew all around him from 30 feet away. He sprinted through the fire to a position from which he could attack. He shot a rocket-propelled grenade into a room occupied by Taliban fighters.

And when that didn’t clear them out, Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Harvell dodged the gunfire again, covering his team as he went.

Then he called in airstrikes that reportedly killed more than 50 insurgents in Central Afghanistan’s Helmand River area.

Those were the local airman’s heroics on just one day, “during a savage eight-hour firefight,” according to his Air Force citation.

It earned Harvell a Silver Star award. He earned another two months earlier.

A rocket-propelled grenade knocked him out and shrapnel tore at his flesh. When he roused, bleeding from several wounds, he grabbed his M-4 carbine, an M-12 shotgun and grenades, fighting back hard while directing airstrikes.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Combat Controllers from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron take a moment to recognize retired Col. Joe Jackson at an medal ceremony honoring the Airmen April 29, 2010, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. General Schwartz visited the base to present 13 medals to 11 Combat Controllers. Colonel Jackson was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam in 1968, when he risked his life to ensure no Combat Controllers were left behind.

Combat controllers contributions honored in ceremony, sent by Gene Johnson

4/30/2010 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AFNS) -- The Air Force chief of staff presented 13 medals to 11 Combat Controllers during a ceremony here April 29.

Gen. Norton Schwartz pinned three Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts on Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron for their actions during various deployments to Afghanistan. Two of the Silver Stars were presented to a single individual.

"It is truly a pleasure to be among these great Airmen," General Schwartz said. "Integrity, service, and excellence are embodied in every heroic action we celebrate here today."

The ceremony recognized these "exceptional Airmen," as the general called them, who "accomplished enormous feats without very much fanfare or pageantry" alongside Army, Navy and Marine Corps special operations forces.

"The families of these Airmen have forged them into men of uncommon valor," said Lt. Col. Bryan Cannady, the 22nd STS commander. "It is my honor to serve beside them."

Combat controllers are highly-trained special operations forces and certified Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers who deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields and then provide air traffic control and fire support.

Two Silver Stars, the nation's third highest decoration for valor, were presented to Staff Sgt. Sean Harvell for his actions during multiple firefights with enemy forces in Afghanistan during spring and summer 2007.

In the first engagement, Sergeant Harvell and his coalition unit were completing a reconnaissance patrol through heavily contested Taliban territory. The team was ambushed and engaged the enemy in a firefight for nearly 23 hours. In order to coordinate close-air support, Sergeant Harvell deliberately exposed his position. Though surrounded by enemy fire, he continued to calmly direct air attacks, including a fighter strafing run within 45 feet of his own position.

Shortly thereafter, Sergeant Harvell's team was out on patrol when they saw an American helicopter go down. The team immediately began moving toward the crash site for recovery operations.

As the team was en route, they were attacked by an overwhelming Taliban force. Several rocket-propelled grenades impacted Sergeant Harvell's vehicle and he was wounded and knocked unconscious.

After coming to, he was able to engage the enemy with return fire and simultaneously direct deadly, danger-close air attacks on the insurgent force. Danger-close range is when friendly forces are within 600 meters of the target when calling for fire. His team's efforts allowed another special operations team to recover the remains of all servicemembers and sensitive equipment from the crash site.

"I feel privileged that my generation is able to serve our country in war," Sergeant Harvell said. "Being a part of something bigger than yourself, depending on other guys and having them depend on you is an honor. Especially as a Combat Controller, people are depending on you (in order) to come home alive."

Almost two months later, Sergeant Harvell and his Army Special Forces team became engaged in a savage eight-hour firefight with Taliban forces. The firefight took place after the team spent three days in a rolling firefight with the enemy before tracking them to a compound.

Sergeant Harvell and his team laid siege to the compound, and he repeatedly exposed his position in order to engage the enemy. As reinforcements arrived, the team withdrew from the compound with Sergeant Harvell providing cover fire for his teammates. Once out of the immediate danger area, he directed fighter aircraft and gunship engagement of the enemy with instant success.

"It's an honor that so many people have come out to recognize us," Sergeant Harvell said. "I realize that General Schwartz is very busy, so for him to come out and personally recognize us is truly an honor. At the same time, I feel kind of guilty, because there are so many other guys out there doing the same thing every day."

Staff Sgt. Evan Jones was also honored during the ceremony. He received both a Silver Star and a Bronze Star with Valor for two separate incidents during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2008.

Sergeant Jones received the Silver Star for his actions during a firefight with the enemy when his coalition special forces unit was ambushed during a combat reconnaissance mission.

The team was taking fire from two directions and Sergeant Jones returned fire while orchestrating close-air support. Continually exposing himself to enemy fire in order to coordinate the destruction of enemy fighting positions, Sergeant Jones was injured when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded near his vehicle. He continued to direct air support as his team moved through the engagement area, fighting though a gauntlet of 20 enemy combat positions.

"Honestly, I was just doing my job," Sergeant Jones said. "There are 300-plus Combat Controllers in the Air Force and all of us are just doing our jobs every day, and doing what we are trained to do."

After returning to the fire base, Sergeant Jones coordinated an urgent medical evacuation for a wounded soldier, and directed an air strike against enemy forces preparing to ambush another friendly patrol.

"It's hard to be flawless in a wartime situation, and it's hard for me not to look back and critique my actions," he said. "When I look back and think about the improvements I want to make, it just forces me to train harder and make sure I'm more prepared next time. We had a casualty during this engagement, and several guys were wounded. I think we honor those guys by just continuing to do the best job we can every day."

In addition to Sergeants Harvell and Jones, nine other Combat Controllers received commendations.

The following were presented awards:
Staff Sgt. Christopher Martin, of the 22nd STS, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his deployment to Afghanistan summer 2008. During his deployment, he directed 22 air attacks, five strafing runs and the release of 8,000 pounds of ordnances during two days of fighting.

Senior Airman Mathew Matlock, of the 125th Special Tactics Squadron, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his deployment to Afghanistan fall 2008 through spring 2009. During his deployment, Airman Matlock conducted more than 35 mounted and dismounted combat patrols and 40 combat operations.

Staff Sgt. Simon Malson, of the 22nd STS, was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his deployment to Afghanistan during summer through winter 2008. During his deployment, Sergeant Malson participated in 20 direct-fire engagements, 50 combat missions and controlled more than 100 aircraft flights resulting in more than 125 enemies killed in action.

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Reiss, of the 22nd STS, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his deployment to Afghanistan summer to winter 2008. During his deployment, Sergeant Reiss conducted more than 50 combat missions, and delivered air power in five direct-fire engagements, which led to 60 enemies killed.

Master Sgt. Jeffrey Guilmain, of the 22nd STS, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his deployment to Afghanistan summer through fall 2006. During his deployment, Sergeant Guilmain was attached to an coalition forces unit where he conducted 20 mounted and dismounted patrols and controlled more than 50 aircraft to include the A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-1 Lancer and AC-130 Gunship.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Keeler, of the 22nd STS, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his deployment to Afghanistan summer to winter 2008. During his deployment, Sergeant Keeler was attached to four separate special forces teams where he was the main joint terminal attack controller and was also a trainer to Afghanistan's 150 army special force commandos. While deployed, Sergeant Keeler conducted 15 combat missions that lead to 15 insurgents killed.

Staff Sgt. Sean Mullins, of the 22nd STS, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his deployment to Afghanistan summer to winter 2008. During Sergeant Mullins deployment, he conducted more than 30 tactical missions, controlled more than 20 aircraft and facilitated the deployment of more than 5,000 pounds of ordnance that resulted in 50 enemies killed.

Tech. Sgt. Marc Tirres, of the 22nd STS, was presented the Purple Heart for injuries he suffered while responding to a well coordinated insurgent attack on Afghanistan National Government facilities in January 2010. During this mission, he assaulted up three stories to engage a well armed and barricaded enemy. Because of his actions, the entrenched force was destroyed within hours compared to previous terrorist attacks which took days to stop. Upon further clearing of the building an explosive device detonated causing shrapnel wounds to left side of face, arm, and leg as well as his left eye.

Tech. Sgt. Douglas Neville, of the 22nd STS, was presented the Purple Heart for injuries he suffered on a large-scale mission to disrupt insurgent activity in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in January 2010. As enemy rounds grazed his position, Sergeant Neville returned fire, emptying six magazines. Enemy snipers hit Sergeant Neville twice. To escape the deadly fire, Sergeant Neville had no choice but to jump 20 feet off of the building, severely fracturing his foot upon landing.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Technical Sergeant Scott A. Innis, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as a Combat Control Journeyman, 22d Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, 16th Expeditionary Special Operations Group, Combined Joint Special Operations Command Central, Afghanistan, on 28 March 2006. In support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Sergeant Innis and the other members of his elite Army Special Forces Detachment, located at a firebase in a heavily contested region of Afghanistan, were suddenly engulfed in a hailstorm of rocket propelled grenade, mortar, heavy machine gun, and small arms fire from three sides. Fully exposed to enemy fire and with total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Innis scaled a ladder to an observation platform stationed at the center of the small firebase. The field-expedient plywood observation tower was the only structure visible outside the perimeter and a magnet for the bulk of the enemy fire. Despite dwindling cover, he remained perched above the battle guiding a devastating aerial counterattack. A marked man, the enemy quickly zeroes in on his position and was committed to killing him. Yet, with enemy rockets and small arms fire passing within mere inches of his exposed head and body, he continued to perform his duty, successfully utilizing his vast airmanship skills to neutralize the enemy. During the 24-hour pitched battle, Sergeant Innis defeated the enemy through the decisive use of airpower that resulted in the death or injury to over 100 insurgents. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Innis has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Combat Controllers receive Silver Star, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts, Air Force Combat Action Medals

12/20/2007 - MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wa. -- Twenty five medals were presented to 15 Combat Controllers and special tactics officers during a ceremony Dec. 18 at McChord Air Force Base, Wa., presided over by the Air Force Special Operations Command commander.

One Silver Star, seven Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and 15 Air Force Combat Action Medals were presented to the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron Airmen for their actions during the unit's recent deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
"These Airmen represent what each of us hopes still resides in America," said Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, AFSOC commander. "We are fortunate to find young American heroes in waiting who are willing to answer the call when we need them."

The ceremony recognized these "mighty men," as the general called them, who "fight beyond their size" alongside Army and Navy special operations forces.

"Much of what Combat Controllers do go unrecognized," said Lt. Col Jeffrey Staha, 22nd STS Commander. "But not today."

Combat Controllers and special tactics officers, the officer corps equivalent, are highly-trained special operations forces and certified FAA air traffic controllers who deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields and then provide air traffic control and fire support.

During the unit's last six-month deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, 22nd STS Airmen performed more than 1,000 combat missions, coordinated the drop of more then 260,000 pounds of ordnance and removed more than 1,500 enemy forces from action, said Colonel Staha. 

The Silver Star, the nation's third highest decoration for valor, was presented first to Tech. Sgt. Scott Innis for his actions during a firefight with enemy forces in Afghanistan during spring 2006. Sergeant Innis was deployed with an Army Special Forces unit to a forward operating base in a heavily contested region of Afghanistan. One day, a team on patrol outside the wire came under enemy fire. Sergeant Innis was able to call in close air support for the team and help them return to the base. Shortly thereafter, their base came under heavy enemy fire from rocket-propelled grenades, mortar fire, and small-arms and machine gun fire. Risking his own life, Sergeant Innis climbed up a small, wooden observation tower in the middle of the compound, openly exposing himself to the enemy. Once on the tower, Sergeant Innis lay on his back while the enemy fired small arms and RPGs trying to take him out. For 24 hours, he repeatedly exposed himself to hostile fire as he periodically sat up to observe the enemy's location and pass their coordinates to coalition attack aircraft. After the aircraft dropped their munitions, Sergeant Innis sat up to observe their impact and relayed the information back to the aircraft, again marking himself as a target. At one point, Sergeant Innis was able to direct fire onto and destroy an area being used by the enemy to store a large weapons cache.

In the middle of the intense firefight, Sergeant Innis also coordinated medical evacuation for several seriously injured American and coalition troops. His actions lead to the destruction of more than 100 enemy forces. However, the Combat Controller would not consider himself a hero. He credits his actions to the training he and other Combat Controllers receive. "You could have replaced me with any of the other Airmen on the stage with me today," he said. "They would have done the same thing." Sergeant Innis also received a Bronze Star with valor and an Air Force Combat Action Medal during the ceremony.

Another reluctant hero honored during the ceremony was Tech. Sgt. Jason Dryer, who received a Bronze Star with Valor and a Purple Heart for two separate incidents during a deployment to Afghanistan earlier this year.

Sergeant Dryer received the Purple Heart for wounds he received when the Humvee he and his Army Special Forces team were riding in triggered an improvised explosive device. The group was on their way to educate local Afghani civilians on the Taliban threat in the area and to warn them of the presence of IEDs throughout the countryside when the vehicle was hit.

The blast from the IED blew Sergeant Dryer more than 30 feet from the vehicle, knocking him unconscious, breaking several bones, and severely injuring his shoulder and a knee. About two hours later Sergeant Dryer regained consciousness in the arms of one of his Army teammates to the sound F-15s providing protection from above. When he came to, Sergeant Innis' first thoughts were those typical of a Combat Controller. "My first thought was, 'I've only been here six weeks, I'm not ready to go home yet,'" he said. "I even remember dreaming about it while I was unconscious." Sergeant Dryer was evacuated to Kandahar Air Base where he was treated in the hospital.   Thanks to the immediate first aid he received in the field and the follow-on care at  the hospital,  Sergeant Dryer's dreams came true and he rejoined his team at their forward operating base only a few days later.

He was able to serve the remainder of his deployment, and even earned a Bronze Star with Valor for actions during a firefight with Taliban forces a few months after his injuries. During that engagement, Sergeant Dryer as able to accurately direct 40 mm fire from an AC-130 gunship on an enemy target no more than 70 meters from his team's position.

Despite being seriously injured during his last deployment, Sergeant Dryer's focus now is on fully recovering and preparing his body for his next turn in the fight.

"This is the job I've trained a quarter of my life to do," said Sergeant Dryer, who also received an Air Force Combat Action Medal during the ceremony. "I love it. I'm looking forward to deploying and doing it all again."

Their motto "First There" reaffirms his and all Combat Controllers' commitment to undertaking the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines by leading the way for other forces to follow. For Sergeant Innis, there's no better job than this.

"It's the best special operations job you've never heard of," said Sergeant Innis. "If you like to jump from airplanes and scuba dive and be in the middle of the action, this is where you want to be."