Combat medics awarded Bronze Stars
Lt Col. Patrick Brannan (left) and Maj. Richard Barnett, surgeons with the 96th Medical Group's Surgical Support Squadron, were awarded the Bronze Star July 11 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Brannan was honored for meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan. He successfully completed 604 life saving operations on United States and local patients. Barnett was honored for meritorious service while deployed in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom, 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron, Task Force Medical, Afghanistan. He provided more than 4,200 hours of uninterrupted calls over a 179-day tour, during which he performed more than 315 surgeries. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kevin Gaddie)