Tyndall officer awarded Bronze Star for OEF, OIF Published Aug. 25, 2006 By Chrissy Cuttita 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AETCNS) -- Another member of the Checkertail Clan was awarded one of the top honors for his service while deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Lt. Col. Craig Hall, 325th Maintenance Group deputy commander, was awarded the Bronze Star medal at a wing stand-up meeting Nov. 10. "At first, I was blown away when I was submitted for this award that is usually given for a significant accomplishment in combat, and then I was blown away when it was presented to me," Colonel Hall said. "It is the highlight of my career." From June 2003 to June 2004 he served as commander of the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, in Southwest Asia, the largest and most diverse expeditionary maintenance squadron in U.S. Central Command. When he arrived on station it was a bare base where military members worked and lived in tent facilities. "First we had to create an organizational structure, and then we had to create the buildings to sustain the operation for the long haul," Colonel Hall said. Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom were in their initial phases. Once GWOT was declared, the 379th Expeditionary Wing became the center of operations. "My biggest challenge was bringing a collective group of warriors together and focusing them on one goal -- support the ground troops in Iraq," Colonel Hall said. "There were combat sorties all day, every day. We laid infrastructure and long-term vision for what it is today, providing air support for the entire area of operations." His team directed the generation of more than 21,000 combat sorties and 75,000 flying hours with six different weapon systems in support of OEF and OIF. In total, he led more than 2,600 personnel from over 40 bases across seven major air commands, 12 Air National Guard units and one Air Force Reserve unit. For Airmen deploying to the region now, the colonel advised they take their training and force protection seriously. "Insist the Air Force provides you with all the force protection measures available and don't go there taking it lightly," Colonel Hall said. "Those deploying are going directly into harm's way where people are dying daily. We are at war. But at the same time know the Air Force has given you the training, motivation and skill for whatever job you get there, and that should be comforting." The colonel faced personal challenges including being away from family, not having a "real life" and living only to work, but the rewards for his service are more prevalent to him. "We train to go to war, and I certainly didn't want to put myself in it, but GWOT was where the action was and I had an opportunity where I could do the most for my country," Colonel Hall said. "It was the single most rewarding professional experience in my career. I didn't do what anyone else wouldn't have done. I was in the right place at the right time with great leadership."