Scott Airman earns Bronze Star Published June 9, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Brian J. Valencia 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- On May 23 Staff Sgt. Nathanael Lindsay was presented a Bronze Star Medal during the 375th Air Mobility Wing commander's call for his actions as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leader while deployed with the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq in support of Combined Joint Task Force Troy from April 10, 2009 to October 24, 2009. Sergeant Lindsay quickly took the lead just weeks into his deployment after his EOD team leader became incapacitated. He led his team through 96 combat EOD missions to eliminate improvised explosive devices, unexploded ordnance and other explosive hazards helping to protect over 4,000 personnel from different organizations and agencies. "Being a team lead is more mental, you always have to be aware and know where your guys are," said Sergeant Lindsay. "You are 100 percent responsible for everything your team does." Sergeant Lindsay's leadership was key during a critical period of transition involving the implementation of the Security Agreement allowing execution of U.S. and Iraqi policy. On May 28, 2009, he led his EOD and Weapons Intelligence Team along with the Iraqi Police at the site of a suspected IED. He directed his team to use a non-destructive disruption charge to incapacitate the device allowing nine sets of finger prints to be lifted that were added to multiple agency's databases for identifying IED building cells and networks. "It is our goal to collect forensic evidence every time and help find those responsible," said Sergeant Lindsay. "It was mission accomplished at its best." Sergeant Lindsay led his team to conduct counter-improvised explosive device operations during 21 route clearing patrols, clearing 3,034 KM of critical supply routes and other mission essential roads. While conducting clearance sweeps, two additional devices were found in the final stages of being set up for a complex insurgent attack Sergeant Lindsay was also selected to lead training of 15 members of the Iraqi Army's 12th Division Bomb Disposal Company. He provided hands-on training techniques and presentations which helped lead the Iraqi Army to safely identify and alleviate the hazards of more than 3,000 ordnance items. "I think they took a lot from the training and will continue to make Iraq a little safer, at the same time I think I might have learned more than they did," said Sergeant Lindsay. "It left a good feeling because we were able to turn the mission over to them." Sergeant Lindsay has been an explosive ordnance disposal technician for seven years and has deployed several times in support of OIF/OEF. "It's never the same, you never know what you might find each time you go out. I wouldn't do any other job in the Air Force," said Sergeant Lindsay. Sergeant Lindsay's actions and leadership provide a great example for fellow Airmen and show the finest traditions of military service.