Travis Air Force Base reservists earn Bronze Star medals Published Nov. 19, 2009 By Senior Master Sgt. Ellen L. Hatfield 349th Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- For outstanding achievement during performance of combat duties while deployed to a forward operating location, two 349th AMW Airmen were recently awarded the Bronze Star medal. Master Sgt. James C. Britt was a technical sergeant when he deployed as the explosive ordinance team leader for the 447th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Bravo Flight, Multi-National Corps-Iraq in 2008. On a daily basis, his leadership and technical expertise, along with that of his teammates, made their environment safer and secured freedom of movement, thus protecting the lives of 60,000 American forces, multinational contractors and Iraqi citizens. Sergeant Britt and his team were responsible for the exploitation, render safe, recovery and destruction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordnance, weapons caches, and explosive remnants of war. They move outside-the-wire where there is a constant threat of insurgent attacks as well. Since his return from deployment, his unit, the 349th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight was named the 4th Air Force EOD Flight of the Year and will go on to compete at the Air Force Reserve Command level. With the motto, "Initial success, or total failure," the EOD have a proud heritage of protecting people and property with their devotion to this dangerous duty. Lt. Col. Craig Wells was awarded the Bronze Star for his duty as Deputy Commander, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in 2008. While deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, he also spent significant time outside-the-wire to support 6,100 combat missions, make possible delivery of more than 10,000 tons of cargo, 28,000 passengers, 14 million gallons of fuel, and 240,000 pounds of munitions to support operations. He led the largest quality of life initiative in Bagram Airfield's seven year history, shepherding a 3,400-bed billeting project. He led the senior airfield authority boundary project, protecting the land for future expansion. Colonel Wells was the director of the wing's emergency operations center, during which time he led responses for two aircraft mishaps, coordinating a host of requirements to support on-scene commanders and rapidly returning the runway to use. The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth highest military award, including combat and non-combat awards, in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations. The Bronze Star Medal is only awarded to service members in combat and the Valor device identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism. It was established in 1944.