EOD technicians garner medals

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force recognized the 96th Civil Engineer Squadron's explosive ordnance technicians for their heroics by presenting them 12 medals May 14. 

Working in Iraq and Afghanistan, two of the most heavily mined nations in the world, is a daily threat for explosive disposal technicians. The work is extremely dangerous as IEDs usually combined the effects of blast, fragmentation and armor penetration, and the camouflaged explosives frequently serve as roadside bombs. 

Senior Airman Aaron Jones received a Purple Heart Monday. He was wounded in November 2006when his vehicle was struck by three improvised explosive devices while responding to another improvised explosive device from Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq. He is the second CES Airman injured while performing his duties. 

Tech Sgts. Shane Lagrone and John Beebe were awarded their second Bronze Stars. The medal, which is the fourth-highest combat award, is given to recognize heroic actions against the enemy. 

Both sergeants were attached to the 332d Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight, Forward Operating Base Paliwoda and Caldwell. They executed more than one-third of the mission load; Tech Sgt Lagrone executed more than 150 combat missions, Sergeant Beebe 137. Sergeant Lagrone foiled planes of targeting first responders by clearing IEDs on the main supply route. Sergeant Beebe defused an IED threatening and Iraqi police checkpoint tower on the same supply route. 

Staff Sgt. Daniel Batt received his first Bronze Star for executing more than 70 combat missions and safely mitigated 32 IED incidents along critical supply routes. He was recognized for using "exceptional ingenuity during an IED response, using binoculars to guide a robot searching for an IED. As he completed the search, he noted a secondary IED and immediately evacuated his team while disarming the device. 

In addition to presenting the three Bronze Stars and Purple Heart, Col. Dennis Yates, 96th Civil Engineer Group commander, awarded a Joint Service commendation Medal to Tech Sgt. Joseph Rodriguez and Army Commendation Medals to Tech Sgt. Noel Murphy, and Staff Sgts. Christopher Hawkes, Darryl Dutton, Anthony Demarino and Senior Airmen Jason Forcey and Jones. All were for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. 

"This is America at its best, an outstanding group of intelligent individuals who are cool under pressure because we train them well and they follow procedures," Colonel Yates said. "Thanks on behalf of our nation for your service, for keeping America safe, for doing the mission here at home and for fighting the Global War On Terror face to face."