Security forces reservist earns 2nd Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Don Branum
  • Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  A reservist with the 10th Security Forces Squadron received the second Bronze Star Medal of his career during a ceremony at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance facility here Jan. 6.

Maj. Brent McGuire, who works for the squadron in a civilian capacity as a security forces trainer, earned the medal for his actions as commander of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.

During McGuire's deployment, the 451st conducted more than 220 fly-away security missions in three countries and 19 austere landing zones, protecting more than 6,000 passengers and ensuring delivery of more than 2,000 tons of supplies to combat forces, according to the medal citation. McGuire also led an effort to eliminate a 1-kilometer gap in the airfield's perimeter security, further securing nearly 40,000 U.S. and NATO personnel at the base.

"The challenges you take on as a commander are higher than any you make at any other time in your career," said 10th Air Base Wing Commander Col. Tim Gibson, who presented the medal. "(McGuire) is clearly one of our top warrior Airmen."

McGuire, fighting back emotion, said he was "fairly humbled" and grateful.

"It would have been awesome if the people I worked with in the 451st (ESFS) had been able to see this as well. These were their accomplishments," he said.

McGuire also credited his family, who attended the brief medal presentation.

"They really took care of me," he said. "When you're deployed, you're trying to solve problems, existing day to day. The family at home ... they've been there to support me through my entire career and my deployments. I'm grateful they have the patience with me to let me continue to serve."

The Bronze Star is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves through heroic or meritorious achievements or service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy that do not involve participation in aerial flight. The medal was established in February 1944.