ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Two 78th Air Base Wing Security Forces Squadron Airmen were presented Bronze Star Medals during a Feb. 27 Commander's Call.

The recipients were Master Sgt. Shannon Blanton and Tech Sgt. Ruben Martinez - who both received the Bronze Star Medal for the second time in their Air Force careers.

"It's a big honor," said Blanton, 78th SFS NCOIC of operations. Blanton has been in the Air Force for 18 years and at Robins since 2003.

Martinez, 78th SFS NCOIC of training, noted, "It isn't something you expect to get - this is truly an honor."

He has been in the Air Force for more than 10 years and at Robins since 2004.

The Bronze Star Medal is the nation's fourth-highest combat medal and is awarded to American service members for bravery, heroism or meritorious service.

Blanton and Martinez were deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, conducting outside-the-wire missions from Oct. 2010 to April 2011. This was their second deployment together; the first was to Baghdad, Iraq, when both received their first Bronze Star Medal.