9th Bomb Squadron receives AFA Citation of Honor

  • Published
  • By Capt. Laura Hunstock
  • 9th Bomb Squadron
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 9th Bomb Squadron has been selected as a 2013 recipient for the Air Force Association's Citation of Honor.

According to the Air Force Association, the citation is in recognition of the 9th BS's outstanding combat effectiveness while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Earning a Citation of Honor from the AFA is a tremendous accomplishment, and like me, I know the Airmen of the 9th BS are extremely proud of this accolade," said Lt. Col. Matthew Brooks, former 9th BS commander. "This was truly a team effort, and receiving recognition like this speaks volumes about the impact our squadron had on the combat effort in Afghanistan. I could not be more proud to have been a part of it."

In 2012, the 80-member 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, known as the Bats, flew 772 combat missions supporting coalition ground forces in more than 50 named operations, resulting in a 99 percent Air Tasking Order effectiveness rate. They currently hold the record for the most B-1 combat sorties on a single deployment in more than 10 years of sustained conflict.

Combat Airmen of the 9th EBS responded to over 500 troops-in-contact situations, with the enemy as close as 300 meters from friendly forces, delivering more than 400 weapons on 225 targets. The Bats provided more than 1,900 hours of over-watch for Operation Enduring Freedom International Security Assistance Force ground forces ensuring the safe passage of 8,900 vehicle movements.

Airmen also participated in the first B-1B combat validation of the laser joint direct attack munition, providing a new precision-strike capability for moving targets. This led to two high-value enemy leaders being killed in action.

Furthermore, the Bats were tasked to support Operation Hamkari, executing 125 missions and providing for over 55 strikes that enabled ISAF troops to significantly weaken Taliban influence in southern Afghanistan. During this time, the 9th EBS conducted multiple Combat Air Operations Center directed strikes destroying improvised explosive device caches, preventing insurgent attacks in Regional Command-East and South.

"Behind the scenes, members of the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Unit are our unsung heroes," said Lt. Col. Brian Dickenson, 9th BS assistant director of operations. "These problem solvers worked day and night to generate jets, without the critical teamwork between operations and maintenance; this award would not have been possible."

"The AFA Citation of Honor award is a testament to the 'all-in' mentality of the men and women of the 9th EBS and all of the flightline maintainers, munitions, and back shop maintenance that deployed from January 2012 through July 2012," said Lt. Col. Alejandro Gomez, former 9th BS director of operations. "We would not have achieved the success we did without the complete buy-in of every 9th EBS member and of every maintainer".

With all the squadron accomplished to receive the AFA recognition, Gomez is humbled and in awe of his Airmen.

"I have learned that you have to truly care for your Airmen in order for them to give you everything they have. The 9th BS is the oldest bomb squadron in the Air Force and I was blessed to serve as the Director of Operations during this time period."

Members of the 9th Bomb Squadron received the award at the 2013 AFA Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 14, 2013.