Airman receives CAM for actions during mission

  • Published
  • By Airman David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A vehicle specialist at Luke Air Force Base received the Combat Action Medal Dec. 1, 2010, for an incident on Jan. 15, 2010, during her yearlong deployment to Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Lauren Dunn, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, received the CAM for deliberately being outside the defended perimeter while conducting official duties and was in extreme danger during an engagement with the enemy, according to the citation.

"I don't know if I necessarily deserve it," said Airman Dunn, about receiving the medal. "It came with what happened; I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and got recognized for it."

Airman Dunn's unit pulled security for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization weapons trucks, and mentored the Afghan army during their deployment by showing them how to run convoys and anything to do with logistics.

The unit performed briefings prior to missions to prepare for whatever might happen.
"We did rock drills before we would go out," she said. "During a rock drill we simulate what we know to do for every possible situation along the way."

While passing through the Zhari District, Airman Dunn was notified by the convoy commander that they would be passing through areas previously damaged by roadside bombs.

As Dunn's vehicle approached a damaged section of the road, an Improvised Explosive Device placed on the edge of the road detonated directly impacting the passenger side of the vehicle.

Everything she was taught during her 70 days of training before being deployed at Fort Riley, Kan., came into play after hitting the IED.

After recovering from the blast, she took accountability of the personnel in the vehicle and notified the convoy commander that no personnel were injured, but the vehicle had received damage and was still capable of movement.

"We have certain procedures we have to follow when an incident like this happens," she said. "My main concern was making sure that everyone in the truck was safe."

She then directed her driver to execute evasive driving techniques and the gunner to continue to monitor the correct sector of fire for a possible secondary attack.

Airman Dunn's immediate actions ensured her vehicle could continue movement to the forward rally point to inspect vehicle damage. She successfully moved the vehicle approximately 9 miles east to Forward Operating Base Wilson, at which point her vehicle was repaired and the mission was cleared to continue to the desired destination.

"Airman Dunn is a dependable worker and pays close attention to detail," said Tech. Sgt. Carissa Walkup, 56th LRS vehicle operator. "As a supervisor, I can assign her a task and know that it will get finished without the worry of having to check her work."