An official website of the United States government
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.

EOD Airmen awarded Bronze Stars

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Angela Shepherd
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  According to Hurlburt Field's explosive ordnance disposal Airmen, the lifesaving feats they accomplish every day are just a part of the job. They don't normally brag about what they do, and they certainly don't think they're heroes.

There are some that would disagree. On Oct. 15, two Hurlburt Field EOD Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron were presented with the Bronze Star for their outstanding service during deployments to Iraq earlier this year.

In a ceremony at the base EOD shop, Col. Mike Smietana, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, presented the medals to Master Sgt. Harold Seiple and Staff Sgt. Jeremy Gibson.

"It's a privilege for me to do this," Colonel Smietana said. "There's something to be said for putting your life on the line every day."

While fulfilling roles ranging from operations superintendent to EOD chief, Sergeant Seiple led a team of several EOD Airmen that provided non-stop EOD support to more than 16,000 U.S. and coalition forces. His team ultimately recovered and destroyed more than 20,000 pounds of enemy ordnance and bulk explosives.

As an EOD team leader, Sergeant Gibson executed more than 170 combat missions, defeated 328 IEDs, performed 584 route clearance missions and completed 138 post-blast analyses. He also played a critical role in capturing an enemy weapons cache that contained 1,324 ordnance items.

The Bronze Star is awarded for heroic or meritorious service or achievement, but according to Hurlburt's two latest recipients, it has even more meaning. For Sergeant Seiple, who is barely two weeks away from retiring, it's a nice end to a long and distinguished Air Force career. And for Sergeant Gibson, it just means a lot to be properly recognized by the Air Force for his contributions.