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BSM at Fort Hood

Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, presents the Bronze Star Medal to Master Sgt. Shawn Williams Aug. 31 at Fort Hood, Texas, for his service with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team during Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2008 to January 2009. Sergeant Williams led a 16-member team in Close Air Support operations through the most active area of operations in OEF and executed missions providing daily armed watch to more than 5,000 U.S. and coalition soldiers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Bryan Heilman)

BSM at Fort Hood (2)

DG Coin at Fort hood

Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, presents a commander's coin to Capt. Phillip Johnston, 11th Air Support Operations Squadron, Aug. 31 at Fort Hood, Texas, for for earning Distinguished Graduate at Squadron Officer School. General Lorenz is the first Air Force four-star general to visit Fort Hood as far back as their records go (1975). (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Bryan Heilman)

Airman awarded Bronze Star

Published Sept. 3, 2009
By Kelly Parsons
AETC Public Affairs

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, Air Education and Training Command commander, presented a Bronze Star medal to Master Sgt. Shawn Williams at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 31.

According to his citation, Sergeant Williams, 3rd Brigade Combat Team senior joint terminal attack controller, received the Bronze Star for meritorious service during Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2008 to January 2009.

He led a 16-member team in close air support operations through the most active area of operations in OEF and executed missions providing daily armed watch to more than 5,000 U.S. and coalition service members.

His team supported electronic warfare missions which jammed enemy communications and disrupted enemy command and control. These successful missions greatly reduced improvised explosive attacks on coalition forces in several provinces.

Sergeant Williams' seven JTAC teams saved countless coalition forces and civilian lives by aiding in the resolution of more than 220 troops in contact engagements, providing 48 hours of continuous CAS during Operation Autumn Harvest and by maintaining CAS to four provisional reconstruction teams during a vital Afghan government highway project.

The JTAC team also coordinated CAS for the visit of Gen. David H. Petraeus, Central Command commander, to an Afghanistan battlefield and during an international Red Cross relief team's distribution of food and medical supplies to 15,000 Afghan civilians.

After recognizing Sergeant Williams' heroic actions in Afghanistan, General Lorenz presented coins to two 3rd ASOG members for their professional military education accomplishments.

Capt. Phillip Johnston, 11th Air Support Operations Squadron, received a coin for earning Distinguished Graduate at Squadron Officer School. Staff Sgt. Jonathan Zimmerman, 3rd Weather Squadron, was awarded a coin for earning the Levitow Award as the top graduate of Airman Leadership School at Dyess AFB, Texas.

Col. Seth Bretscher, 3rd Air Support Operations Group commander, said General Lorenz is the first Air Force four-star general to visit Fort Hood as far back as their records go (1975).

"We are thrilled the general came to see us," Colonel Bretscher said.

Airmen at the 3rd ASOG make up the largest Air Force unit permanently assigned to any Army installation.