New York Air National Guard Airmen Recognized for Combat Action

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Sr. Airman Joseph Pico, from Commack, N.Y. displays his newly awarded Combat Action Badge. Photo by Sr. Airman Chris Muncy, NY Air National Guard.

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. (07/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing Security Forces Squadron, New York Air National Guard, were presented the Air Force Combat Action Medal here May 1 during an awards ceremony officiated by the 106th Rescue Wing Commander, Col. Thomas J. Owens II.

While serving in Operation Enduring Freedom Staff Sergeants Eric Auletta from Yonkers, N.Y., Brian Hammel and Keith Mangels, both of West Babylon, N.Y. and Senior Airman Joseph Pico from Commack, N.Y. actively participated in combat operations with the Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Detachment at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

The decoration was presented for being involved in direct fighting where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement. During the ceremony, Major Celestino J. Martinez, Commander of the 106th Security Forces Squadron, commended them for their bravery and courage while engaging the insurgents and executing the mission.

"All of us, your leadership, your families are proud of you and what you have accomplished so far, you have shown us that when it counts the most, you will perform; it why you are Defenders of the Force," Martinez said.

The Security Forces Airmen conducted combat operations for numerous missions while under constant threat of attack. They facilitated the removal of weapons caches, multiple improvised explosive devices targeted against Coalition forces, and neutralized vehicle borne improvised explosive devices. Their actions provided security of the Bagram Air Base, its personnel and over three billion dollars in war fighting assets, Martinez said.

The 106th SFS also executed security support, enabling the Office of Special Investigation to better safeguard ISAF personnel, including Afghan, American and coalition service members as well as other bases throughout the Regional Command.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal was established on March 15, 2007 to recognize Airmen who actively participated in combat, ground or air. An individual must have been under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured space, outside the defended perimeter, or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire.

The 106th Rescue Wing is a part of the New York Air National Guard and continues to deploy worldwide to provide combat support to U.S. and allied forces.

The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Gabreski Air National Guard Base is equipped with HC-130 search and rescue aircraft and HH-60 Pavehawk search and rescue helicopters with a primary mission of rescuing airmen downed behind enemy lines. Since 2001 unit members and aircraft have rotated into and out of Afghanistan and Iraq executing these missions.