As the nation remembered the 72^nd anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Saturday, December 7^th, the United States Air Force honored four Alaska-based airmen for their bravery and courage in America’s Afghanistan operations.

Senator Lisa Murkowski joins every Alaskan in saluting these brave men, and all our men and women in uniform who serve and sacrifice selflessly in combat.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
(FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER WITH VALOR)
TO
MATTHEW S. KOMATSU

Major Matthew Komatsu (right) receives his Bronze Star on Saturday in Anchorage

Major Matthew S. Komatsu distinguished himself by heroism as Commander, 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 65lst Air Expeditionary Group, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, from 14 September 2012 to 15 September 2012. During this period, an orchestrated force of 15 insurgents penetrated the base perimeter and attacked the east side of the airfield, killing two Marines and destroying six aircraft. Major Komatsu volunteered to lead a team of three Pararescuemen directly into the engagement zone to provide medical treatment for reported casualties. = Major Komatsu directed his team across the airfield towards an active firefight inside the base perimeter.

Upon arrival, as air assets overhead conducted danger close fire missions, Major Komatsu coordinated with the Quick Reaction Force to forward deploy his team in order to aid wounded coalition troops actively engaged with the enemy. Without hesitation, under enemy fire from a position less than 75 meters away, Major Komatsu and his team sprinted across an open field of fire in order to reach the casualties. Major Komatsu then integrated his team into a Quick Reaction Force, assaulting and clearing a hazardous storage complex. His team rescued two Marines and supported an action that killed five insurgents. He then established a critical radio communications link with friendly air support, deconflicting positions with multiple airstrikes that resulted in five additional enemies killed.

Major Komatsu's decisive leadership led to seven lives saved and 10 insurgents killed, protecting the garrison forces and material from further destruction. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Major Komatsu has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
(WITH VALOR)
TO
PAUL J.BARENDREGT

 Senior Master Sergeant Paul Barendregt (right) salutes Major Joseph Conroy Commander, 212th Rescue Squadron, during the Bronze Star ceremony on Saturday

Senior Master Sergeant Paul J. Barendregt distinguished himself by heroism as Pararescue Team Leader, 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 651st Air Expeditionary Group, 45lst Air Expeditionary Wing, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States at Camp Bastion from 14 September 2012 to 15 September 2012. During this period, an orchestrated force of 15 insurgents penetrated the base perimeter and attacked the east side of the airfield, killing two Marines and destroying six aircraft. Sergeant Barendregt volunteered to lead a team of two Pararescuemen directly into the engagement zone to provide medical treatment for reported casualties. Sergeant Barendregt led his team across the airfield and towards an active firefight inside the base perimeter.

 Upon arrival, he coordinated with the ground force and treated casualties as overhead air assets conducted danger close fire missions on enemies nearby. Without hesitation and under accurate fire from an enemy position less than 75 meters away, Sergeant Barendregt led the team in a sprint across an open field of fire in order to assess and treat forward casualties. Sergeant Barendregt then integrated his team into a Quick Reaction Force, assaulting and clearing a hazardous storage complex. His team rescued two Marines and supported an action that killed five insurgents. Sergeant Barendregt then led his team on foot a mile north, coordinating the complex assault and clearing of a heavily damaged Marine Harrier complex.

The expert tactical leadership of Sergeant Barendregt ultimately led to seven lives saved and 10 insurgents killed, protecting garrison forces and infrastructure from further destruction. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Sergeant Barendregt has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
(WITH VALOR)
TO
KYLE T. MINSHEW

 Technical Sergeant Kyle Minshew (right) receives his Bronze Star during a ceremony on Saturday 

Technical Sergeant Kyle T. Minshew distinguished himself by heroism as Pararescueman, 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 651st Air Expeditionary Group, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States on Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, from 14 September 2012 to 15 September 2012. During this period, a well-organized force of 15 insurgents penetrated the base perimeter and attacked the east side of the airfield, killing two Marines and destroying six aircraft. Sergeant Minshew volunteered to join two Pararescuemen and one Combat Rescue Officer in order to proceed into the engagement zone to provide medical treatment for reported casualties. Sergeant Minshew prepared essential gear and moved across the airfield towards an active firefight inside the base perimeter. 

Upon arrival, he coordinated with the ground force and treated two casualties as overhead air assets conducted danger close fire missions on enemies nearby. Without hesitation and under accurate fire from an enemy position less than 75 meters away, Sergeant Minshew and his team sprinted across an open field of fire in order to assess and treat forward casualties. He then integrated with his team into a Quick Reaction Force, assaulting and clearing a hazardous storage complex. His team rescued two Marines and supported an action that killed five insurgents. Sergeant Minshew then foot patrolled with his team a mile north, executing the complex assault and clearing of a heavily damaged Marine Harrier complex.

The courageous efforts of Sergeant Minshew ultimately led to seven lives saved and 10 insurgents killed, protecting garrison forces and infrastructure from further destruction. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Sergeant Minshew has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.  

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
(WITH VALOR)
TO
ANDREW J. NICHOLS

 Senior Airman Andrew Nichols (right) receives the Bronze Star during a ceremony in Anchorage on Saturday

Senior Airman Andrew J. Nichols distinguished himself by heroism as Pararescueman, 83d Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, while engaged in ground combat against an enemy of the United States, in Afghanistan's Konar Valley on 19 July 2011. On that date, Airman Nichols launched to recover a United States Soldier who had received critical gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, the ground element informed Airman Nichols' crew they were being engaged by effective fire from a nearby ridgeline and the wounded Soldier was inside an armored vehicle. Because the Soldier's condition was dire, they did not delay recovery. Due to harsh terrain, Airman Nichols and his team leader were forced to insert 100 meters away and six steep terraces above the vehicle.

Immediately upon exiting the helicopter, Airman Nichols' and his teammate were engaged by insurgent fire from multiple directions, forcing them to dive into a creek bed for cover. With complete disregard for their own personal safety, Airman Nichols and his teammate sprinted 100 meters across open terrain to reach the wounded Soldier. Insurgents opened fire again with some rounds impacting within five meters behind them. With rounds getting closer, Airman Nichols lifted the patient over his shoulder and ran for cover while his teammate performed a call for fire against enemy positions. He then ran back across open terrain with the patient while the insurgents fired from a third location. As rounds landed around them, Airman Nichols carried the patient up the steep terraces to the helicopter and departed. He then stabilized the critical patient in-flight and delivered him to a nearby surgical team thus saving the Soldier's life.

By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Airman Nichols has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.