EOD Airmen awarded Bronze Stars

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Angela Shepherd
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Explosive ordnance disposal Airmen are a noble breed. The lifesaving feats they accomplish on a daily basis are to them, just a part of the job. They don't really brag about what they do, and when asked, they don't think they're heroes. 

The Air Force, however, sees it differently. On Oct. 15, two Hurlburt Field EOD Airmen were presented with Bronze Stars for their outstanding service during deployments to Iraq earlier this year. 

In a ceremony at the base EOD shop, Col. Mike Smietana, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, presented the medals to Master Sgt. Harold Seiple and Staff Sgt. Jeremy Gibson. 

"It's a privilege for me to do this," Colonel Smietana said. "There's something to be said for putting your life on the line every day." 

While fulfilling roles ranging from operations superintendent to EOD chief, Sergeant Seiple led a team of several EOD Airmen that provided non-stop EOD support to more than 16,000 U.S. and coalition forces. His team ultimately recovered and destroyed more than 20,000 pounds of enemy ordnance and bulk explosives. 

As an EOD team leader, Sergeant Gibson executed more than 170 combat missions, defeated 328 IEDs, performed 584 route clearance missions and completed 138 post-blast analyses. He also played a critical role in the capturing of an enemy weapons cache that contained 1,324 ordnance items. 

While the Bronze Star carries a certain level of significance for all who receive it, the award has slightly different meanings for Hurlburt's two latest recipients. For Sergeant Seiple, who is barely two weeks away from retiring, it's a nice end to a long and distinguished Air Force career. And for Sergeant Gibson, it just means a lot to be properly recognized by the Air Force for his contributions.