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.

Fairchild EOD technician awarded second Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Kwang Woong Kim
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Staff Sgt. Seth Statzer of the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron was awarded a Bronze Star on Nov. 9 for his exceptionally meritorious service as an explosive ordnance disposal team leader in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I feel very humbled," said Statzer when asked about receiving the Bronze Star. "The training I received at Fairchild gave me the knowledge to recognize the threat we encounter and prepared me with the most up-to-date intelligence on the threats we encountered in theater."

Statzer was deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force Paladin at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, from December 2010 to June 2011. During his time, Statzer was recognized for his leadership, and his dedication to duty was instrumental to the unit's mission during combat operations. 

During his deployment tours, he executed 117 combat missions, operating in a 10,000 sq km battlespace. 

"Seth has had multiple combat tours. I emphasize on combat. Some people use this term loosely," said Capt. Christopher White, Statzer's commander in Afghanistan. "I would describe it as conducting offensive missions outside of the wire against the enemy and enemy weapons.  For EOD, I would describe it as destroying and rendering safe improvised explosive devices in the most dangerous areas of the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters. However, when talking with Seth, you wouldn't realize that about him because of his laid back attitude."

Operating in constant threat of insurgent attacks, Statzer personally led the render safe of 27 explosive devices, conducted nine post blast analysis missions and destroyed more than 1,500 pounds of explosives to defeat the enemy's primary weapon.

"During missions, while under constant challenges and threats, he was able to maintain his composure and calmly perform his duties as team leader," said White.

My greatest accomplishment on this deployment was keeping my team alive, Statzer said.

This was Statzer's second Bronze Star.