39 AF Combat Action Medals presented to Security Forces Defenders

Members of the 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron security forces pose for a photo just afer receiving Air Force Combat Action Medals during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Oqab, Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. The Airmen were recognized for actions defending FOB Oqab, the Kabul Air Wing of the Afghan Air Force, and Kabul International Airport from a complex attack featuring rocket propelled grenades, small arms and automatic gunfire July 17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond)

SFS Airmen receive AF Combat Action Medals

NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan and 438th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, congratulates Staff Sergeants John DeYoung and Mikal Hanson after they and 37 other members of the 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron security forces were awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Oqab, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2014. The Air Force recognized the Airmen for their service during a more than five-hour firefight against Taliban-linked insurgents attacking the base and adjacent bases July 17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond)

SFS Airmen receive AF Combat Action Medals

NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan and 438th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Scott Lumpkin, congratulates Staff Sgt. Cody Shearer after Shearer and 38 other members of the 439th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron security forces were awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Oqab, Afghanistan, Sept. 2, 2014. The Air Force recognized the Airmen for their service during a more than five-hour firefight against Taliban-linked insurgents attacking the base and adjacent bases July 17, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond)

Security Forces Airmen receive AF Combat Action Medal for defending Kabul bases

Published Sept. 3, 2014
By Senior Master Sgt. Mike Hammond
NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan public affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE OQAB, Afghanistan -- Thirty-nine U.S. Air Force security forces members received the Air Force Combat Action Medal, Sept. 2, for their actions in defending U.S., NATO, and Afghan military bases from a complex insurgent attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, in July.

At approximately 4:15 a.m., July 17, the NATO base at Kabul International Airport, the Afghan Air Force's Kabul Air Wing, and Forward Operating Base Oqab came under a complex attack by Taliban-linked insurgents fighting from a multi-storied building approximately 350 meters from the perimeter. In the initial moments of the attack alone, the attackers launched more than a dozen rocket propelled grenades and fired automatic rifles at the three bases - all located within the grounds of the airport.

Some of the security forces members were on duty standing guard at the time the attacks began. Others were asleep in bed and awakened by explosions and gunfire. While those on duty began identifying the enemies and their positions and fighting back, the off-duty members donned protective gear over what they'd been sleeping in and ran to help.

With bullets flying by and RPGs exploding and hitting nearby, the security forces fought from guard towers and also launched two quick reaction forces - along with an Afghan QRF - to take the fight closer to the enemy position. Fighting with M4 carbines, M203 launchers, and M240B medium machine guns, the Air Force defenders unleashed a withering barrage of more than 3,000 total rounds to keep the enemy fighters suppressed and decrease the volume and accuracy of their fire.

Ultimately, the siege lasted for more than five hours. It ended when an Afghan-led quick reaction force - enabled by the suppressive fire from Air Force and Afghan forces on the base - arrived at the attackers' position and cleared the building, eliminating the threat. The coalition and Afghan forces sustained no significant injuries during the firefight, and only moderate damage to facilities and grounds on the bases occurred.

Maj. Gen. John K. McMullen, Commander, 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force- Afghanistan; Commander, NATO Air Command-Afghanistan, and the Deputy Commander-Air, U.S. Forces- Afghanistan, presented the medals individually to the Airmen during a brief ceremony at FOB Oqab.