Robins sergeant earns Bronze Star medal Published May 1, 2009 By Wayne Crenshaw 78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Senior Master Sgt. Bobby Simmons Jr. of the 5th Combat Communications Squadron is a veteran of many deployments, but his most recent tour in Afghanistan was a little different. Sergeant Simmons worked as a mentor for Afghan troops, and in addition to finding it rewarding, his efforts earned him a Bronze Star. "I loved the experience," he said after having the medal pinned in a ceremony Thursday. "From the start they treated us as if we were family. I have a good feeling about the Afghan people." Col. Jose Rivera, commander of the 5th Combat Communications Group, pinned the medal in front of a couple of hundred of 5th CCG members in the ceremony in Coates Hall at the 116th Aircraft Control Wing. "His character is represented in everything he does," Colonel Rivera said after the ceremony. "It comes as no surprise to me that his efforts over there were recognized with a Bronze Star." Sergeant Simmons is a 21-year veteran of the Air Force. According to the citation he mentored Afghanistan's only deployable signal battalion that "successfully executed 10 national-level operations shoring up Afghan national pride and confidence in the Afghan National Army." He also commanded 425 convoys that covered 2,500 miles and "ensured the communication support element's development and ability to simultaneously provide contingency support and command and control to two displaced Afghan National Army corps and the Afghan National Military Command Center."