Page 1 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, October 2021
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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen”
INSIDE
Oct. 2021 Vol. 20, No. 10
StorIES
Art display, 2
Enhanced communication, 3 Air Force Ball, 5
Allies Welcome, 6 Selection process, 7 Deployment, 8,9
Tower Challenge, 12
FEAtUrE
OperatiOn allies WelcOme
See Page 8,9
Tech. Sgt. Amber Carter
Col. William Ray, 56th Maintenance Group commander, awards the Bronze Star Medal to Master Sgt. Thomas Williams, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loading non-commissioned officer in charge, for meritorious achievement in a deployed location Sept. 1, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Williams trained and advised the Afghan air force and national army in sup- port of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and conducted 187 outside the wire missions. His efforts led to increased interoperability between allied military forces and strengthened the relationship between the U.S. military and Afghanistan as a whole.
Luke Airman awarded Bronze Star Medal
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Date of publication
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Master Sgt. Thomas Williams, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loading non-commissioned officer in charge, receives the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in a deployed location Sept. 1, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. At Forward Operating Base Oqab, Kabul, Afghanistan, Williams mentored the Afghan air force munitions squadron commander on munitions safety and personnel management, empowering Afghan air force leadership and their troops.
Story and photos by Senior Airman DAviD BuSBY
56th FW/PA
The Bronze Star, also known as the Bronze Star Medal or “Ground Medal,” is awarded to any member of the U.S. military for heroic service, meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone. It can also be awarded to members of foreign militaries and civilians.
There have been notable recipients throughout history who have earned this award, such as U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alan Cozzalio, a helicopter pilot, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Robert E. Cushman Jr., the 25th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Mark Esper, the 27th Secretary of Defense.
Among these men and women stands Master Sgt. Thomas Williams, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons loading non-commissioned officer in charge. He earned the medal for his meritorious achievement as Armament Program Manager and Weapons Safety Air Advisor, 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force at Forward Operating Base Oqab, Kabul, Afghanistan.
“I was selected for a year-long deployment to Kabul, Af- ghanistan, working for the Train Advise Assist Command as the advisor to the Afghan air force and Afghan national army,” said Williams. “I had just come home from Turkey, a short [temporary duty] assignment, and about two days after
See mEdAl, Page 10
