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Show HILLTOP TIMES 141.,,, pl MES April 21, 2011 ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Above, Lt. Col. William Bailey, 4th Fighter Squadron commander, leads a flight of six F-16s to their final parking slots after a long return flight from Afghanistan. Below, returning aircraft maintainers are greeted by family and friends at Hangar 37 on April 15 after their return from a deployment to Afghanistan. Airmen from 4th FS return Kerri Bandy gets a long awaited hug and kiss from her husband, Capt. Aaron Bandy, of the 4th Fighter Squadron, as soon as he stepped off the ladder from his F-16 Fighting Falcon. BY ANDREA HOUCK Team Hill Public Affairs A dozen F-16s, their pilots and 36 maintainers returned home April 15 after a nearly seven month deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Families gathered on the flightline to greet their loved ones from the 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, who have been gone since September to maintain security and stability in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was the 388th's third successful Operation Enduring Freedom deployment since 2009. Col. Scott Long, 388th Fighter Wing commander, worked with the 4th FS in Afghanistan as the deployed 455th Expeditionary Operations Group Commander at Bagram Airfield. Long said he feels fortunate to already be familiar with a large group of personnel who now work for him. "I'm so glad to see our Airmen return home safely, and I'm proud of all their hard work," he said. The unit's primary mission was to maintain security and stability in the region by providing close air support for coalition ground troops, and the maintainer's mission was to provide vital safe, reliable and combat ready aircraft support. Although some Airmen returned Friday, the 388th Fighter Wing and 419th Fighter Wing have about 250 more people expected to return later this week. This large group of Airmen also supported coalition objectives while in Afghanistan. Because of the support the deployed Airmen received back home, they were able to focus and accomplish their mission, said Lt. Col. William Bailey, 4th Fighter Squadron commander. "Until you've actually been there, you just don't realize what a huge sacrifice people make," Bailey said. "These deployments, once they get longer, it's just very difficult for the families." At home, Monica, Colonel Bailey's wife, said the Airmen were gone long enough to miss holidays, anniversaries and almost an entire school year. "We're just happy they're all home safely," she said. 4 Bronze Stars in the 75th ABW Three go to Master Sgt. Horton and one to Staff Sgt. Green, both 775th CES BY MARY Lou GORNY Hilltop Times editor A t a Commander's Call, April 18, Col. Patrick Higby awarded four Bronze Star Medals to personnel within the 75th Air Base Wing. Master Sgt. Benjamin Horton, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, received three of the medals as well as a Purple Heart for his actions while serving in Afghanistan as an explosive ordnance disposal ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keith Green, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, receives his Bronze Star Medal Citation and his medal from Col. Patrick Higby, 75th Air Base Wing commander, on April 18. team leader. The citations consistently report dedication, true grit, determination and several recovery operations, clearing out improvised explosive devices for coalition members and staying calm even when a nearby blast took out a British search team member next to him, rendered Horton temporarily blind. Horton remained calm and focused, holding his position until assistance could reach him, the award citation read. Once he could see, he prevented a unit from entering an IED-laden alleyway and directed rescue efforts to his position. He performed a post blast analysis and was evacuated from the scene because of his injuries. On each Bronze Star citation nominators used such phrases as "courageous efforts outside the wire," "courage and leadership key to mission success" and "I highly recommend this award." Recovery missions, detecting IEDs where all other efforts had failed to detect them, and bringing innovative approaches that resulted in actions saving lives was reflected over and over in his deco- ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Benjamin Horton, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, receives his last Bronze Star Medal of three he received at a commander's call April 18 from Col. Patrick Higby, 75th Air Base Wing commander, on April 18. He also received a Purple Heart for injuries he received. rations. Staff Sgt. Keith V. Green, 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, also served as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader in Afghanistan. His citation describes his professionalism and technical expertise in leading 27 combat missions directing two EOD technicians, covering 39,000 square kilometers under the constant threat of insurgent attacks. It goes on to credit his steadfast leadership as a reason his command was successful in counter-insurgency operations in the region. 5 |