463rd AG commander receives Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Beth Orlen
  • 314th Airlift Wing Strategic Information Flight
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --   It was the efforts of many, not of just one, that Col. John Gomez attributes to receiving one of the U.S. Armed Forces highest medals Aug. 18.
The 463rd Airlift Group commander was awarded the Bronze Star during Gen. Duncan McNabb's, Air Mobility Command commander, Airmen's call.
"I am honored by the recognition and humbled by the service of all the Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group at Kandahar," said the colonel who deployed to Afghanistan Jan. 7-May 9 as the 451st AEG commander.
"We came together from organizations across the Air Force with the single purpose of building a better tomorrow for the people of Afghanistan. Despite repeated rocket attacks on the base, and with the memory of our fallen comrades, those Airmen labored around the clock servicing transient aircraft, processing troops and cargo, securing an open flight line and maintaining a crumbling runway. What they accomplished is simply extraordinary. I could not be any prouder of their dedication, professionalism and sacrifice."
According to the award citation, Colonel Gomez "engaged in ground operations against the enemy at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan ... while repeated enemy rocket and small arms fire attack (occurred). ... (He) expertly balanced the competing demands of directing 3,500 logistics missions through the primary airhead in southern Afghanistan, supporting 3,700 combat air missions in offensive operations against the Taliban and the $34 million project reconstructing 10,500 feet of failed runway. He innovatively planned with the tanker airlift control center to increase by 50 percent airfield support for strategic airlift enabling the timely relief in place of 4,500 soldiers, 45 helicopters and 3,600 tons of equipment.
"Colonel Gomez also worked closely with coalition partners finding ground breaking solutions for basing new missions on the congested flight line including Royal Air Force C-130 and department of state international narcotics and law enforcement UH-1 Hueys. He applied operational risk management during emergency full depth repairs on two sections of dilapidated runway totaling 7,240 square feet.
"His broad spectrum of proactive measures implementing tactical landing zone markers and distributing to enroute command posts airfield graphics and electronic mail notifications pending notice to Airmen updates provided crews with the most current airfield status information ensuring no Class A or Class B mishaps in the most dynamic runway project in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom."
"It is a huge responsibility to lead Airmen into battle, ... and this is absolutely well deserved," said Genenral McNabb after presenting the award to the group commander. "It is my honor to present it to you."
The Bronze Star is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States on or after Dec. 7, 1941, has distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.