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Keesler Airman earns Bronze Star for role in joint fight

  • Published
  • By Airman David Salanitri
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  An intelligence analyst with the 81st Training Wing here was awarded the Bronze Star Oct. 19 for his actions supporting the joint fight in the global war on terror last year.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Soucy earned the medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement while deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, May-November 2006.

As a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle controller for a joint task force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sergeant Soucy's training, leadership, and job knowledge proved a vital component of the U.S. Army team he was assigned to. The technology he was able to leverage helped the team successfully operate in combat.

The award ceremony and reading of the citation brought back memories and feelings of pride for Sergeant Soucy.

"It was definitely an honor to receive the award," the 12-year veteran said. "For the first time in my career, I felt like I was actually in the fight -- not just a participant.

For Sergeant Soucy, the results of his deployment can be measured in more personal terms than the award citation reflects.

"I have a sense of fulfillment from being directly involved," he said. "The unit I was deployed with was suffering between two and three casualties per month -- and for my six months there, we didn't have one!"

Sergeant Soucy has served at Keesler for nearly two years. Among many duties here, his section provides threat intelligence to the base's threat working group -- which in turn determines if a threat to the base exists. His duties also include providing intelligence support to warriors deploying from Keesler.

The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and 9th highest award among U.S. military decorations. The award recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service accomplished with distinction.

Sergeant Soucy has been deployed around the world, including duty in Turkey, Qatar, Colombia, Germany and Puerto Rico.