10 Airmen receive Bronze Star Medals Published Oct. 29, 2007 By Capt. Christopher Moore 386th Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Ten Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's 424th 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 164 Airmen, from eight different specialties and 37 bases, completed more than 165 missions, driving almost 5 million miles with 67,500 tons of cargo from mid-April to mid-October. Collectively, the group spent almost 13,000 days in Iraq. "Everyone in the 424th Medium Truck Detachment performed amazingly during their deployment and I'm especially proud of the accomplishments of our Bronze Star recipients," said Lt. Col. Kevin Sampels, 586th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron commander. "Their actions in leading numerous convoy missions throughout Iraq are truly heroic and I couldn't be more proud of them and the entire squadron." The recipients were: Capt. Robert Sonnenberg, from Eglin AFB, Fla., served as commander of the detachment. While in command, his unit experienced 10 insurgent attacks and his sound judgment and decisive leadership ensured the Airmen and Soldiers in his convoys were safe, according to the medal narrative. Second Lt. Kyle Yates, from Maxwell AFB, Ala., served as Bravo Flight leader and convoy commander. He personally conducted 10 missions and his teams amassed more than 343,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 85 days on the road. He volunteered for the role of convoy commander after an improvised explosive device killed an Airman and wounded another. Chief Master Sgt. Richard Bunce, from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, U.K., served as chief of the detachment. Twenty-nine Airmen in his detachment have been awarded, or are waiting the award of, the Air Force Combat Action Medal with the Army Combat Badge for their actions while engaging the enemy. This is Chief Bunce's second Bronze Star Medal. Master Sgt. Louis Pate, from Pope AFB, N.C., served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 13 missions and his teams amassed more than 509,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 135 days on the road. On May 17 his convoy was hit with an IED. He moved his crew out of the "kill zone" while maintaining multi-directional security for the team. Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Sudlow, from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 14 missions and his teams amassed more than 434,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 110 days on the road. He helped capture a group of thieves who stole military and civilian equipment from the convoy while out on a mission. Tech. Sgt. Brian Fitzsimmons, from McChord AFB, Wash., served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 17 missions and his teams amassed more than 528,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 130 days on the road. On July 6, his convoy was attacked by insurgents with an IED. He led his convoy through the "kill zone" safely without any additional injuries or damage to equipment. This is Sergeant Fitzsimmons' second Bronze Star Medal. Tech. Sgt. Shawn Foust, Ellsworth AFB, S.D., served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 15 missions and his teams amassed more than 507,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 110 days on the road. On June 21, his convoy was hit with an IED and also received six rounds of indirect mortar fire. Tech. Sgt. Frederick Garcia, from Vandenberg AFB, Calif, served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 15 missions and his teams amassed more than 578,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 165 days on the road. On June 25, he had to engage suspected enemy combatants when a vehicle approached the convoy at a high rate of speed. Tech. Sgt. Brandon Hobeck, from Hill AFB, Utah, served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 20 missions and his teams amassed more than 769,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 150 days on the road. One of his convoys was struck by 4 mortars. He ensured all affected Airmen received immediate medical treatment. Tech. Sgt. Reagan Ross, from Moody AFB, Ga., served as a convoy commander. He personally conducted 15 missions and his teams amassed more than 452,000 cumulative miles while spending more than 110 days on the road. He worked with a group of logisticians to ensure the timely delivery of cargo and build up of 21,000 troops. The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award.