12 Airmen receive Bronze Star Medals Published Dec. 3, 2007 By Capt. Christopher Moore 386th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Twelve Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's 70th Medium Truck Detachment were recently awarded Bronze Star Medals for their work leading convoys through some of the most dangerous highways in the world. The detachment's 160 Airmen, from eight different specialties and 27 bases, completed more than 220 missions, driving more than 5.5 million miles from mid-April to early December. Collectively, the group spent more than 15,000 days in Iraq. "I'm thrilled to see 12 of our very finest Airmen be awarded the Bronze Star. Their performance, professionalism and bravery has been truly exceptional. Their contributions in providing critically-needed supplies and equipment played a vital role in supporting every Airmen, Soldier, Sailor and Marine operating in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Kevin Sampels, 586th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron commander. "The entire 70th Medium Truck Detachment performed at a consistently superior level during their tour and I couldn't be more proud of every one of our Airmen." The recipients were: Capt. Joseph McHugh, from Kirtland AFB, N.M., served as commander of the detachment. He was directly responsible for 160 Airmen and more than $20 million in vehicles and equipment. His unit maintained a mission readiness rate of more than 90 percent and supported the entire Iraq area of responsibility. Chief Master Sgt. Robert Gagnon, from Randolph AFB, Texas, served as chief of the detachment. As the senior enlisted leader of the detachment, he ensured vehicle maintainers managed repairs and preventative services for 179 tactical vehicles. They sustained a 93 percent average operational readiness rate. This is Chief Gagnon's second Bronze Star Medal. Senior Master Sgt. Allan Dangleben, from Barksdale AFB, La., served as bravo flight leader. He orchestrated the safe movement of 2.2 million pounds of munitions to replenish and sustain operations in the AOR. His flight completed more than 50 convoy missions to12 forward operating bases in Iraq. Senior Master Sgt. Don Hall, from Langley AFB, Va., served as first sergeant and detachment superintendent. He oversaw the logistical movement of the 82nd Airborne Brigade's cargo during a troop surge. He facilitated the smooth delivery of 1,600 tons of vehicles and equipment for infantry forces in Iraq. Senior Master Sgt. Joe Lowery Jr., from Aviano AB, Italy, served as alpha flight sergeant. A convoy he was assigned to was attacked by two improvised explosive devices and later by small arms fire. During his tenure, his flight completed 110 missions and collectively, his teams spent more than 8,100 days in Iraq. Tech. Sgt. Mitchell Bowen, from Barksdale AFB, La., served as a convoy commander and fourth squad leader. He personally completed 15 convoy missions, personally traversing more than 21,000 miles. He led more than 790,000 command miles. His crews completed 100 percent of their tasked missions without losing a single asset. Tech. Sgt. Joseph Brewer, from Barksdale AFB, La., served as a convoy commander and bravo flight, fourth squad leader. He personally completed 15 convoy missions and led more than 648,000 command miles. One of his convoys was attacked by two IEDs near Baghdad. The convoy was later attacked by heavy machine guns and Sergeant Brewer directed the gun trucks into position to return suppressive fire. Tech. Sgt. Matthew Buchanan, from Hill AFB, Utah, served as a convoy commander and third squad leader. He was the second of only eight junior NCOs selected to become convoy commanders. He personally completed 15 convoy missions, personally traversing almost 18,000 miles. He led more than 635,000 command miles. During one of his missions, a vehicle was hit by and IED and Sergeant Buchanan directed 38 vehicles out of the "kill zone." Tech. Sgt. Steven Lounsbury, from Barksdale AFB, La., served as a convoy commander and bravo flight, third squad leader. He personally completed 16 convoy missions and led more than 888,000 command miles. When his convoy was attacked by two IEDs and the lead vehicle damaged by small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, he led the convoy out of the "kill zone." On a separate occasion, he coordinated medical evacuation after an IED injured a servicemember on his convoy. Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Parnell, from Barksdale AFB, La., served as a convoy commander and fourth squad leader. He personally completed 15 convoy missions, personally traversing more than 21,000 miles. He led more than 790,000 command miles. On a mission, his convoy was attacked by small arms fire. He quickly positioned a gun truck between the convoy and insurgents and safely moved all vehicles out of the "kill zone." Tech. Sgt. Adam Perron, from Malmstrom AFB, Mont., served as a convoy commander and second squad leader. He personally completed 15 convoy missions, personally traversing almost 18,000 miles. He led more than 635,000 command miles. He had a convoy struck by an IED and commanded the convoy safely out of the "kill zone." Tech. Sgt. Lorenzo Zapata, from Ramstein AB, Germany, served as a convoy commander and bravo flight, first squad leader. He personally completed 15 convoy missions and led more than 720,000 command miles. On one of his convoys, the lead vehicle was destroyed by an IED. He directed gun trucks into position while coordinating medical evacuation efforts for the critically injured driver. On a separate mission near Baghdad, his convoy was also hit with an IED. The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award.