3 Airmen awarded BSMs for support of OIF

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to three Dyess Airmen in a ceremony at the base theater August 21 for their work with the Army in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Lt. Col. Allen Wilson, 7th Operations Support Squadron mission training center director, was awarded the medal for his service as an electronic warfare officer from August 2007 to February 2008; Maj. Allen Scott Mansfield, 7th OSS B-1 flight scheduling officer, was awarded the medal for his service as an electronic warfare officer from August 2007 to February 2008; and Staff Sgt. Yannick Sherenco, 7th OSS intelligence specialist, was awarded the medal for serving as the intelligence analyst from November 2007 to May 2008. 

"The example these Airmen set and hold up to the rest of the force for applying the competencies they've developed as Airmen in a wholly unexpected way against a determined and resourceful enemy shows the adaptability, the flexibility, that not only the United States Air Force but all our services are applying to the Global War on Terrorism," said Col. Robert Gass, 7th Bomb Wing commander. 

The current fight is increasingly joint and interdependent, he said. 

"Services now are finding themselves in a position where they cannot engage alone," said the colonel. It takes a well-integrated, joint force to prevail in combat." 

The Airman whose BSM Colonel Gass pinned on said earning the medal shows there is a large part the Air Force plays with its sister services. 

"We're sending Airmen in harm's way out there and doing a good job winning this war on terrorism," said Major Mansfield. "We're helping coalition forces, our Airmen, and the people of Iraq." 

The BSM is awarded to military members who distinguished themselves for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, the medal is the forth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military decoration. 

"I'm humbled ... and I think it represents more what the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen did than anything I did," Colonel Wilson said. 

Friends and family of the three Airmen attended to witness the medal presentations.
Notably, Sergeant Sherenco's father, a retired Marine captain, pinned his son's medal on. Although Sergeant Sherenco's mother, an Air Force lieutenant colonel, couldn't make it, much of his family attended the ceremony. He said he was grateful for their support. 

"It makes me feel great because I come from a family of military," Sergeant Sherenco said. "I feel like I've made a direct contribution to the Global War on Terrorism." 

"The Bronze Star is reserved for those who directly support ground combat," Colonel Gass said. "It's difficult to come by in the United States Air Force, and the three recipients of this distinguished medal who you see today have [certainly earned it]."