An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Combat controllers earn Bronze Stars, Combat Action Medals

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Buffy Galbraith
  • Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Ten medals were presented to seven combat controllers during a ceremony Oct. 14 at the Hurlburt Field Air Park.

Three Bronze Star Medals, two with valor, and seven Air Force Combat Action Medals were presented to 23rd Special Tactics Squadron Airmen for their actions during a recent deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The citations record the words that describe action on the battlefield, but the words do not equal the experience," said Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, Air Force Special Operations Command commander. "Our special tactics team members are performing in extraordinary ways in extraordinary circumstances."

The 720th Special Tactics Group has more than 900 special tactics combat controllers, pararescuemen, special operations weathermen and support personnel. The mission of the combat controller is to deploy, undetected, into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields while simultaneously conducting air traffic control, fire support, and command and control.

General Wurster spoke of the great courage and personal acts of bravery and heroism exhibited by the squadron members.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Grove was one of the three who received a Bronze Star Medal with valor and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

The Bronze Star Medal, established in 1944, is awarded to someone who distinguishes him- or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

While deployed, Sergeant Grove prepared the battlefield by calling in artillery fire while his team approached an ambush of 80 insurgents. Though severely outnumbered, he guided the release of 20,000 pounds of ordnance that destroyed an enemy compound.

During a subsequent four-day combat patrol, Sergeant Grove identified targets and directed airstrikes while under attack. He controlled airstrikes during this time without regard for his own safety and was lauded for his heroic actions.

However, the combat controller does not consider his actions heroic, instead honoring the efforts of his fellow teammates.

"It's good to see these guys getting the recognition they deserve for all they do, because many times their actions go unseen and unheard," he said.

Another combat controller whose unseen actions were highlighted during the ceremony was Staff Sgt. David Solis, who also earned the Bronze Star with Valor and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal was established in March 2007 to recognize any servicemember who actively participates in combat. The individual must have been under direct and hostile fire while operating outside the wire or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire.

Sergeant Solis provided close air support during 20 patrols that included three troops-in-contact situations where his air-to-ground proficiency allowed him to call in airstrikes that killed 21 insurgents and wounded more than 50 enemy combatants.

During one mission, his patrol came under direct fire while conducting a weapons cache demolition operation. Sergeant Solis immediately directed suppressing fire, directing airstrikes that killed 10 enemy fighters. During another situation, he helped defend his firebase from accurate rocket and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Disregarding his own personal safety, he moved to the top of the base tower to accurately employ close air support overhead where he successfully released a 2,000 pound bomb that eliminated an enemy position.

"I just did what any other person would do in that situation," he said. "We are trained to do our jobs and do them well, and I was only doing my job. There's nothing heroic about that."

The third Bronze Star Medal recipient was Staff Sgt. Joseph Hepler. The other Air Force Combat Action Medal recipients were Master Sgt. Terrance Saltzman and Staff Sgts. Michael Blout, Ryan Carter, Joseph Hepler and Adam Malson.

The combat controller's motto, "First There," reaffirms their commitment to undertaking the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines by leading the way for other forces to follow.

"In the entire Air Force today, there are very few Airmen who do more to create victory, or face more danger routinely than those in special tactics," said General Wurster. "I am proud of each and every one in this community."