HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An Airman from the 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received a Bronze Star medal during a ceremony here, Oct. 2.
Staff Sgt. Reuben Bocock, 801st SOAMXS tilt-rotor maintenance craftsman, earned a Bronze Star for his efforts downrange.
Between April 25, 2013 and Feb. 22, 2014, Bocock distinguished himself while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force at Camp Arena, Afghanistan.
During his deployment he served as the 802nd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Rotary Wing Advisor, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Air Training Command Afghanistan 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.
“The 801st SOAMXS is a proud organization,” said Tech Sgt. Jason Moore, 801st SOAMXS resource advisor. “Today we have the privilege of recognizing an outstanding NCO with the presentation of a Bronze Star medal.”
Bocock led an aircraft maintenance advisory effort at a geographically separated coalition detachment under constant threat of insider, indirect and direct fire attacks.
He advised an Afghan colonel, 24 officers and Airmen from seven different specialties, producing the Afghanistan Air Force’s first independent Mi-17 sortie.
Additionally, Bocock assured mission capable aircraft for combat operations by coordinating with Marine Special Operations Command and the Afghan operations commander. His efforts helped facilitate infiltration training for 500 Afghan commandos, which resulted in 560 combat missions, 290 casualty evacuations and the capture of 10 insurgents.
“This is such a special occasion that we get to be part of today, said Col. Bill West,” 1st Special Operations Wing commander. “As wing commander I have gotten to do some pretty cool things but getting to honor someone for their efforts is one of my favorite things to do.”
“The Bronze Star is an award that is only earned during deployment related combat operations,” West added. “This award is being awarded for leadership in a combat zone and a significant impact that [Bocock] demonstrated while downrange.”
The last action that earned Bocock this prestigious award was that, he created a time sensitive airlift plan to transport personnel across Afghanistan and equipment to five bases. This effort assured the completion of 36 sorties and the delivery of a million ballots directly effecting Afghanistan’s first democratic transfer of power.
“He was given a deadline to transfer the authority over to the Afghanistan Air Force with extra pressure to ensure they were ready,” West said. “He did just that and was the first one to turnover this type of operation to the Afghans. He did an awesome job—truly awesome.”