TOP STORY >>Security Forces member receives Bronze Star

By Staff Sgt. Juan A. Torres
314th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

A 314th Security Forces Squadron member was presented the Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony Nov. 20 at the 314th SFS headquarters.

1st Lt. George L. Hern was presented the medal by Brig. Gen. Rowayne A. Schatz, the 314th Airlift Wing commander, for his exceptional leadership, guidance and direction which enhanced the combat effectiveness of joint forces charged with protecting the largest Theater Internment Facility in the Department of Defense with more than 14,000 detainees and a Logistical Support Area with more than 3,000 Coalition Forces while deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq.

This award is presented to a military member who has distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service while serving with the armed forces of the United States while in a combat theater or engaged in military operations with an opposing foreign force.

“I know you’re proud of your husband and dad for what he has accomplished, and we are proud as well,” said General Schatz to Lieutenant Hern’s family. “Thank you for all your great support. We all know that when we wear the uniform we can’t do our job without the great support of our family.”

As flight commander security operations for the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Lieutenant Hern led a joint service flight comprised of 78 Soldiers, Airmen and interpreters conducting combat missions “outside the wire.”

From September 2006 to June 2007, Lieutenant Hern was responsible for executing more than 1,100 combat patrols, which included both mounted and dismounted presence patrols, improvised explosive device and wire sweeps, personnel security details, listening and observation posts, and vehicle checkpoint operations of the main supply routes into and out of Iraq.

When his forces were struck by an IED on the main supply route, Lieutenant Hern was one of the first back-up patrols to arrive on-scene where he re-established a security cordon, conducted secondary sweeps for IEDs and coordinated with British explosive ordnance disposal teams to clear the area.

“As a leader with candor, he insured the troops in his command had the best equipment and training possible,” said General Schatz. “When placed in a tough situation, his calm collective leadership brought it under control and successfully completed the difficult task.”

“In this job we do, people’s lives are at stake and it is a big responsibility that we all take very serious,” said Lieutenant Hern to a group of his fellow security forces members. “I’ve never been more proud to be part of the Air Force after witnessing the professionalism in which the Airmen deployed to Camp Bucca conducted business.”