Hurlburt Airmen recognized for deployed service

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Victoria B. Porto
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Three Air Commandos were recognized at Hurlburt Field's Freedom Hangar in a ceremony Oct. 22 for their distinctive accomplishments while engaged in ground actions in overseas contingency operations.

Senior Master Sgt. John Pierce and Master Sgts. Jeffrey Sheaffer and Jesse Meno of the 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received Bronze Stars for their service while deployed in 2009. Sergeant Meno also received the Combat Action Medal, recognizing his active participation in combat in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The reason we're here today is, number one, to make sure these guys get the right recognition and, number two, to make sure that fellow maintainers and Air Commandos get to see the quality of folks we have in our organization," said Col. Robert Miglionico, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group commander. "These folks (went) out for a year into a combat zone doing things that they promised to do, despite the harm that they were put in, and they did it exceptionally."

Col. Michael Plehn, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, presided over the ceremony in which the three senior NCOs were awarded their medals in front of approximately 100 of their peers, family members, and commanders.

"These three warriors and heroes took the fight to the enemy to help our partner nations be more self-sufficient. It is my honor and pleasure to be a part of this ceremony," Colonel Plehn said.

The crowd stood at attention while listening to the award citations describing each of the recipient's distinct achievements.

Sergeant Pierce served as the rotary wing lead maintenance advisor for the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group from February 2009 to February 2010. He was presented the Bronze Star for his impact in supporting Mi-17s and Mi-35s, developing a 330-hour maintenance training course, and driving an 83 percent increase in the operational ready rate of the Mi-17s.

"It definitely was a team effort over there," Sergeant Pierce said. "Not only was there a group of American mentors that helped me accomplish this stuff, we also had 102 Afghan National Army Air Corps soldiers and Airmen that helped us accomplish all these tasks and I feel like I'm wearing this medal today because of those guys. We came together and we succeeded as a team."

Sergeant Sheaffer was deployed from June 2008 to June 2009, where he served as the lead production superintendent for the 1st Expeditionary Special Operations Maintenance Squadron-B. According to his citation, he equipped and sustained 464 military and civilian personnel maintaining multiple aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He successfully launched the first ever MC-130W combat sortie and managed the launch of multiple AC-130H sorties which resulted in the largest narcotic seizure in the history of the operation.

Finally, Sergeant Meno's February 2009 to February 2010 deployment as the lead Mi-17 crew chief advisor for the 442nd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron earned him the Bronze Star for his leadership in standing-up Khandahar's Afghan National Army Air Corps Wing. Additionally, his expertise proved vital while onboard an aircraft supporting election ballot transport that came under fire. His calm communication to the pilot enabled the helicopter's rapid departure from the area with no losses.

For his active participation in combat having been under direct and hostile fire, Sergeant Meno was also awarded the Combat Action Medal.

"It's a real humbling feeling," Sergeant Meno said. "Everybody out there is in the fight so we're just doing our part for the mission."

The Bronze Star Medal, established in 1944, is awarded to a person in any branch of military service for heroic or meritorious achievement or service. The Combat Action Medal, established in 2007, is awarded to recognize Air Force members who actively participate in either air or ground combat.