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Grand Forks technical sergeant awarded Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Tech. Sgt. Jeffery P. Salonga, a vehicle operator with the 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron here, was presented with the Bronze Star by the Honorable Daniel B. Ginsberg, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs, during a wing commander's call at Grand Forks AFB on Nov. 12.

The Bronze Star is awarded for heroism or for meritorious achievement in ground combat. However, Sergeant Salonga doesn't take credit for this achievement.

"I received the Bronze Star not because of something I did, it's because of what each individual member of our team contributed to complete all the missions with no casualties," he said.

Sergeant Salonga was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan for 12 months. During his deployment, he trained members of the Afghan National Army how to execute combat conveys including proper counter insurgency tactics. In addition, he escorted military personnel and supplies throughout the country.

"Every day was memorable," said Sergeant Salonga. "We traveled north, east, west and south in the country. We were the only Air Force team doing that type of mission and the first to do it in Afghanistan."