EOD NCO receives Bronze Star Medal

  • Published
  • By John Cochran
  • Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  An NCO assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base received a Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony on base Wednesday for actions while deployed to Southwest Asia during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tech. Sgt. Joshua K. Rickert, 377th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Branch, was recognized for exceptionally meritorious service while a staff sergeant and team leader with the 466th Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Operating Location Delta.

According to the award citation, he contributed to more than 100 route clearance missions, which cleared 18,000 miles of critical supply routes, and disposed of 8,500 pounds of homemade explosives while patrolling a 58,500-square-kilometer battlespace. His outstanding performance, expertise and dedication to duty greatly contributed to the overall success of the unit's mission during combat operations. Rickert's distinctive accomplishments are in keeping with the highest honors and traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin and the United States Air Force.

The Bronze Star Medal, authorized by Executive Order No. 9419 on Feb. 4, 1944, is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States on or after December 7, 1941, shall have distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.