Two 4 FW Airmen receive Bronze Stars

by Airman 1st Class Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/24/2014 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  -- Two Airmen assigned to the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron, were presented the Bronze Star Medal, June 23, 2014, during a ceremony in the base theater at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Col. Mark Slocum, 4th Fighter Wing commander, awarded the medal to Chief Master Sgt. Carroll Holcombe, 4th CES superintendent and Tech. Sgt. Jason Luckenbaugh, 4th CES explosive ordnance disposal craftsman, for their actions while supporting contingency operations on their respective deployments overseas.

"It's absolutely humbling for me to get the opportunity to present these medals to these two Airmen," said Col. Slocum during the ceremony. "Right here, you have two examples of Airmen directly impacting the mission in combat. What they did was vital. Their outstanding efforts saved countless American and coalition partner lives."

Luckenbaugh, who was receiving the decoration for the third time in five deployments, expressed his pride to receive the accolade.
"I'm honored to be given such a prestigious award, said Luckenbaugh. "This medal represents all the people who have put their lives on the line in service to their country. I'm honored to be one of them."

In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Bronze Star for presentation to U.S. military members who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service not involving participation in aerial flight while engaging the enemy.

As NCO in charge of the explosive ordnance disposal detachment at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, Afghanistan, he supervised day-to-day operations of a nine-person element responsible for the execution of explosive disposal operations on any combat mission that needed it.

On one particular mission, Luckenbaugh's tactical expertise was vital to the success of the clearing and securing of a historic Taliban safe haven in Afghanistan. His team safely eliminated five improvised explosive devices, allowing Afghan military forces to penetrate the Taliban defensive and establish a patrol base.

He was also part of a team that established and trained cadre for an all Afghan military EOD unit.

Like Lukenbaugh, Holcombe also distinguished himself with extraordinary actions while serving as the superintendent of the 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

As the senior enlisted member of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's largest group, he helped lead more than 1,300 Airmen in support of Air Forces Central Command's contingency operations. He also helped established AFCENT's first ever KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft forward operating base in Afghanistan.

"It was a busy and fast paced deployment," said Holcombe. "There was a lot going on. I just focused on the job at hand and tried to take care of the mission the best that I could."

During his time as superintendent, the group delivered more than 142 million gallons of fuel, oversaw the movement of more than 380,000 military personnel and the airlift of 108 million pounds of cargo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Both Airmen attributed their success to their wingmen.

"Over the years, I've been very fortunate to have committed and supportive wingmen watching my back. They've probably kept me alive more times than I can count. I would be nothing without them."

"Not many people are awarded a Bronze Star," Holcombe added. "It's pretty amazing, to be recognized amongst all the amazing Airmen out there that do an equally amazing job accomplishing the mission."

Luckenbaugh went on to dedicate his medal to his team members.

"The medal is a testament to what my team accomplished while I was deployed," said Luckenbaugh. "They are just as deserving of this award, if not more so. It's a total team effort. Without their support, encouragement and expertise I wouldn't have received this award."