Two Airmen earn Bronze Stars

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - --  Two Airmen from Luke were recently awarded the Bronze Star for their accomplishments during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Chief Master Sgt. Bryce Maxson of the 56th Communications Squadron and Tech. Sgt. David Oddo of the 607th Air Control Squadron were both awarded the honor in ceremonies at Luke in the last week. 

"This prestigious award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who receive it," said Col. Hank Reed, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander, at Chief Maxson's ceremony. 

Chief Maxson earned his award while serving as the superintendent of the 332nd
Expeditionary Mission Support Group at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and then as the superintendent of the 438th Air Expeditionary Group at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, from September 2006 through June 2007. 

According to his citation, the chief was selected to help stand-up the 438th AEG as the Air Force's newest combat group in theater. The unit, assigned to a Marine Corps air base in Al Anbar province, provided essential support to an A-10 unit at that location. By the end of his tour in both locations in Iraq, the chief had contributed to the generation of more than 1,400 close air support sorties and 3,600 combat flying hours of assigned aircraft. The chief's award represents one of the highest medals one can earn while deployed. 

Despite the magnitude of the award itself, he was humble as he received it. 

"I'm a bit overwhelmed," the chief said of receiving the Bronze Star. "I'm honored to serve with such proud and professional Airmen; they're the ones that made things happen -- I just guided them along." 

On the other side of base three days earlier, Sergeant Oddo received the same award for his efforts while deployed to an Army-run joint task force supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

According to his citation, Sergeant Oddo was the common operating picture manager for the task force by using radar and sensor data to manage the "air picture" over the skies of Afghanistan. 

While the award speaks volumes about his contribution to the mission, to Sergeant Oddo, it was all in a day's work. 

"There is a mixture of feelings about receiving recognition on this level," he said. "Of
course, I'm proud of the work I did and it's an honor to be recognized in such a manner, but I'm sure that there are a great many people doing more than I did." 

Authorized on February 4, 1944, the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to members of all branches of military service and may be awarded either for combat heroism or for meritorious service.