By Major Candis Olmstead
CAMP DENALI, Alaska — Four members of the Alaska Air National
Guard’s 212th Rescue Squadron were awarded the Bronze Star in a
ceremony Saturday on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.
Combat rescue officer Major Matthew Komatsu and pararescuemen
Chief Master Sgergeant Paul Barendregt and Master Sergeant Kyle
Minshew, were deployed and assigned to the 46th Expeditionary
Rescue Squadron when they responded to an enemy attack on Camp
Bastion in Afghanistan the night of September 14, 2012.
Fifteen Taliban insurgents breached base defenses armed with
rocket-propelled grenades, assault weapons, and suicide
improvised explosive device vests. Without hesitation, and under
fire from enemy positions, Komatsu, Barendregt and Minshew
entered directly into enemy engagement to help defend the base,
coalition troops, provide medical assistance to casualties, and
establish critical radio communications with friendly air
support.
They deconflicted positions to ensure multiple airstrikes were
outside the range of coalition troops, ensuring offensive
measures against enemy troops and avoiding unintended
consequences.
Komatsu, Barendregt and Minshew’s heroic actions led to seven
lives saved, and protection of garrison forces and materiel
assets from further destruction.
The fourth Bronze Star being awarded is for Senior Airman Andrew
Nichols, a pararescueman who was assigned to the 83rd
Expeditionary Rescue Squadron while deployed to Afghanistan.
On July 19, 2011, Nichols was launched with a crew to recover a
U.S. soldier who had received critical gunshot wounds. Nichols
and his teammate sprinted under live-fire from multiple
directions in harsh, steep terrain to the soldier, and Nichols
carried him back to the helicopter under continued enemy fire.
He then stabilized the critical patient in-flight. He is
credited for saving the soldier’s life.
"Each of these warriors conducted their duties under extreme
circumstances to repel the enemy, save lives, and return with
honor those who perished,” said Maj. Joseph Conroy, commander of
the 212 RQS.
The Alaska Air National Guard’s 212 Rescue Squdron (212 RQS) is
the busiest rescue force in the Department of Defense. While
deployed in support of combat operations, they are experts in
rescuing or recovering isolated personnel in enemy territory.
While at home, they respond to 11th Air Force Rescue
Coordination Center requests for emergency assistance when
civilian assets are unavailable.
As part of a network of agencies, the 212 RQS conducts hundreds
of search and rescue missions in Alaska every year and have
helped save about two thousand lives.
The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth-highest individual military
award in the U.S. military. |
