Dover Airmen awarded combat medals

Published Nov. 21, 2007
By 1st Lt Chris Sukach
436th AW Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Two Dover Airmen received the Air Force Combat Action Medal in a historic ceremony here, Nov. 15.

Staff Sgt. Michael Grooms, 436th Security Forces Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Huey Harris III, 436th Services Squadron, distinguished themselves in combat and were Dover's first Airmen presented with the Air Force's newest medal.

The AFCAM, authorized by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley March 15, is presented to Airmen for active participation in combat, having been under direct and hostile fire or for physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire in connection with military operations.

"It feels really good to be recognized as one of the first Dover Airmen to receive this type of recognition," said Sergeant Grooms, who was serving with the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Detachment 6, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, when an attack occurred July 22, 2006.

Sergeant Grooms was part of a five-vehicle convoy transporting members and supplies to the Mosul Public Service Academy in Iraq when enemy insurgents detonated an improvised explosive devise near his vehicle. He noticed the device seconds before the explosion and assisted the driver in maneuvering away from the blast, saving all aboard from injury even though the blast occurred within three meters of their vehicle.

"The Air Force is known for its air power but has been overlooked in its ground support, but the (Global War on Terror) is bringing a new light to the Air Force mission," Sergeant Grooms said of his contributions to the convoy missions.

He said he looks for every opportunity he can to deploy, and he emphasized the importance of training prior to deployment.

"You have to take your training seriously," said Sergeant Grooms. "No matter if it's pre-deployment or your daily training, it could be that training that saves someone's life. No matter if you're Security Forces, a personnelist, medical, or anyone else, training is a critical part of our accomplishments."

During a separate incident roughly 1,500 miles away in Afghanistan, Sergeant Harris' convoy came under attack when his vehicle was hit by a vehicle-borne IED. All three occupants, including Sergeant Harris, were injured in the attack and rushed to a safe location where they were treated by Air Force medics before being flown to a nearby trauma center.

Sergeant Harris was assigned to the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team, Task Force Patriot, Combined Joint Task Force 76, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, when the attack occurred Nov. 1, 2006.

"I am happy to have been among the first Air Force members to be a part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team and be awarded the Air Force's newest medal," said Sergeant Harris. "Once again I am honored," he said, referring to the AFCAM and referencing the Purple Heart he received earlier this year.

Sergeant Harris echoed the importance of training.

"Airmen who are deploying should not to take these deployments and training lightly because we are deploying to more places where we see combat," he said.

"Airmen have been a part of combat since the first days of the Air Force; it's part of our culture," said Col. Eric Wydra, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander, who presented the medal to each Airman during the ceremony. "And while all of our Airmen contribute in one way or another to fighting the Global War on Terror, Sergeant Harris and Sergeant Grooms were directly engaged with enemy forces and showed immense courage while doing so. I am honored to present them with this medal."

The medal features an eagle grasping arrows in one talon, representing preparedness for war, and an olive branch in the other, representing a goal of peace. The eagle is attached to a ribbon of scarlet with diagonal yellow stripes.

The design of the AFCAM was inspired by Air Force heritage, by a personal insignia Brigadier General William 'Billy' Mitchell had painted on the aircraft he flew while developing plans for what would be the first major American offensive in World War I and the first air-to-ground offensive in history.

Eligibility for the AFCAM is retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001 and is available to active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen.

(Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski contributed to this article)