Name: Tech. Sgt. Edward Merz

Deployed Unit: 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group

Home Station: Dover AFB, Del.

Home Unit: 436th Security Forces Squadron

Mission Accomplishments:

Technical Sergeant Merz began his deployment as a Security Forces Advisor in early March of 2013, and has demonstrated extreme professionalism and dedication to this mission by finishing strong.

His outstanding work ethic was instrumental in establishing a 19 person Afghan Security Forces "Fly Away Security Team", making it a "First" for the Afghan Air Force.

Additionally, Tech. Sgt. Merz teamed with the US Army's 601st Aviation Support Battalion/Task Force Guardian and coordinated weapons maintenance training classes. His efforts directly resulted in another "First" for the AAF and the only weapons repair/Combat Arms like capability in the AAF.

Finally, he coordinated the delivery of $250,000 worth of weapon parts, tool kits, translated technical manuals and associated equipment further advancing the Kandahar Air Wing toward self sustainment.