Vehicle maintainer receives Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  A vehicle and equipment maintenance mechanic assigned to the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron received the Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. July 21, 2011.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Jones, the recipient, received the medal for meritorious service from Oct. 6, 2009 through April 6, 2010 while assigned to Special Operations Task Force-South based out of the Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I was the sole mechanic attached to one of two teams stationed at my location," Jones said. "I was responsible for all vehicles assigned to the [Forward Operating Base] where I was located, as well as all the Afghan forces vehicles."

He was responsible for 15 ground mobility vehicles, six all terrain vehicles and two light, medium tactical vehicles. He ensured all vehicles were fully mission capable and accomplished all inspections before and after missions.

His duties weren't restricted to maintenance though, he also completed regular base perimeter guard duties and assisted joint terminal attack controllers with airdrops.

"[My deployment] with special forces was by far the most I have ever done for my country," he said. "I was out with these guys as part of their team ... not just some guy working on their stuff. I went on missions with them to combat the Taliban."

After awarding the medal to Jones, Col. Trent Edwards, 28th Mission Support Group commander said a few words.

"This young man spent some time with 7th Special Forces Group in Afghanistan in a very nasty province, Oruzgan," Edwards said. "That means he was asked to do a lot ... and probably some things he wasn't fully trained on before he got there. But he did it. He did it in an outstanding, exceptional manner. He has done phenomenal work and we're proud of him. It was an honor to pin on that Bronze Star."

Some highlights from his Bronze Star Medal Citation include:
  • He advised the detachment commander on all aspects related to vehicle operations and maintenance on more than 50 combat reconnaissance patrols totaling over 1,000 kilometers covered by vehicle. 
  • He performed admirably on all combat patrols while exposed to direct fire, indirect fire and improvised explosive devises.
  • He was the primary driver for two special forces operations sergeants, accomplishing all missions with no incidents, collisions or mistakes.
  • He completed more than 17 vehicle repairs during combat patrols including vehicle recovery and repair.
  • He received and assembled the armor and turret packages for five vehicles and did so with minimum impact on operations tempo. He also disassembled approximately 10,000 pounds of armor from five older vehicles to prepare them for movement.