News

5 sergeants honored for wartime service

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Five members of the 78th Security Forces Squadron were recognized Monday with wartime medals. 

Master Sgt. Carlos DoRego, Master Sgt. William Craig and Tech. Sgt. Edward Cannell each earned the Bronze Star Medal, while Tech. Sgt. Derrick Lee and Staff Sgt. Charlyn Grayson received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

Col. Warren Berry, 78th Air Base Wing commander, said it was the first time he'd awarded multiple Bronze Star Medals and the first time he'd awarded a Combat Action Medal. He said the medals demonstrate that "our mission as Airmen has changed drastically."

"The days have changed when the only Airmen who entered in combat were those who flew," Colonel Berry said. "We ask our Airman to do so much more than we've ever asked them to do before. You, as defenders, know that better than anyone else."

According to the award citation, Sergeant Craig received the Bronze Star for actions while deployed to a forward operating base in Iraq that housed the largest Theater Internment Facility in the Department of Defense, with more than 20,000 detainees, and more than 10,000 coalition forces assigned to the base.

He revamped security procedures, and helped plan and design improvements at entry control points and other areas around the base that increased the operability of forces guarding the installation gates. He also directed forces that provided initial care for 60 local nationals suffering severe medical trauma.

"Receiving this award was a humbling experience," Sergeant Craig said. "I did my duty and feel gratitude for being recognized, but the award really belongs to my team, the 35 people I worked with."

Sergeant DoRego was recognized for actions while deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. According to his award citation, he provided crucial wartime leadership to 14 deployed warriors and managed assets worth more than $5 million. In addition to overseeing more than 130 combat missions, he personally executed four high-risk raids with the U.S. Army. His actions led to the uncovering of more than 900 hostile threats and the removal of 255 insurgents belonging to terrorist cells.

"It's a great honor but it's the troops that deserve recognition," Sergeant Dorego said. "Without their support and without their actions out there it would have never happened. But it's a proud occasion for me because it shows we are getting recognized for the things we are doing out there, and that's pretty important."

Sergeant Cannell was also recognized for actions while deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. There, according to the award citation, he oversaw and/or participated in more than 130 outside-the-wire combat missions to collect critical threat information. He successfully completed more than 300 meetings with informants leading to the identification of 1,800 insurgents. He also led 10 high-risk capture missions, resulting in severe disruption to major terrorist cells.

"This medal means a lot to me. It means I was entrusted with people to go over there and come back safely," Sergeant Cannell said. "And the team that was out there with us is as much a part of this medal as anything. Without that team, none of this would have been."

Sergeants Lee and Grayson received the Air Force Combat Action Medal for actions while deployed to Iraq in 2005 and 2007, respectively, where they came under fire from insurgents while performing duties outside their installations.

Colonel Berry said it was an honor to present the medals to "five individuals who have truly gone above and beyond and served their country with great distinction and with great honor."

The Bronze Star was established in 1944 and is the fourth highest combat medal awarded. It is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

The Combat Action Medal is a new medal, established in April 2007. To be eligible for the award, military members must have come under fire or fire upon a hostile enemy in an unsecured area away from an established installation.