AFNWC officer helped lead 451 EMSG

  • Published
  • By Stefan Bocchino
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  During a commanders call Feb. 23 at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Brig. Gen. Garrett Harencak, AFNWC commander, presented Col. Robert Widmann, AFNWC director of contracting, with the Bronze Star Medal.

Widmann was awarded the medal for meritorious service as deputy commander of the 451st Expeditionary Mission Support Group while deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, from Jan. 25 to July 25, 2011.

He led a unit of 376 Airmen supporting combat missions during Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I found out that I was being put in for the Bronze Star just before I redeployed to the United States," said Widmann. "I had mixed emotions about getting the Bronze Star, because it carries so much weight, just in the name and history of it. Frankly, I questioned whether I was deserving of it or not. My chain-of-command set me straight on that."

While deployed, Widmann managed a $48 million ramp and facilities construction program. They completed 19 projects in six months, enabling the wing to expand combat capability.

"We were in a very dynamic environment," said Widmann. "There are 30,000 people at Kandahar Airfield and we had a 20 percent increase in the number of combat aircraft there. Those aircraft were directly involved in the fight. To be a part of the process to expand the ramp space, to expand the living space to bed down an additional 500 people, you feel integral to the operational mission. That was the most rewarding part of the deployment."

Widmann also led improvements to Kandahar Airfield perimeter security by overseeing the repair and expansion of a $3 million tactical automated security system.

The system filled gaps in the fence protecting coalition forces.

He also led projects that improved the network control center and transportation management, as well as increased and consolidated living space for the Airmen on the base.

"We were busy there," said Widmann. "For every support Airman, there were four Airmen from the wing we were keeping in the fight. Our Airmen did a great job of managing all the tasks required, even though we were thin in many places. Getting the Bronze Star was an honor for me that I attribute to the hard work and dedication of the Airmen deployed with me."