A master sergeant from the 355th Security Forces Squadron was awarded a Bronze Star at the base theater here September 4.
Master Sgt. Brian LaMasney, 355th SFS, installation security, earned the medal for his service as superintendent of the Tactical Security Element, 451st Expeditionary Forces Squadron, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, while engaged in ground operations in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
“Master Sgt. LaMasney represents the skills, ability, flexibility and agility that he brings to the mission,” said Col. Greg Williams, 355th Mission Support Group commander. “A mission that is often times challenging and sometimes mundane, but interrupted with pretty exciting moments.”
He was deployed from Aug. 29, 2011 through Feb. 25, 2012, leading Airmen as security forces superintendent.
“We would coordinate and link up with the Army off base and conduct counter insurgency plans and operations to facilitate any type of meetings Office of Special Investigations wanted to conduct off-base. Said LaMasney. “Any operations off base, we provided security for their mission.”
Sergeant LaMasney supervised 72 off- base combat missions, the production of 233 Intel reports, and 60 combat patrols, setting up meetings between coalition forces and local leaders.
“I was most proud of the way our team came together and accomplished the mission, “LaMasney said.
“We became a close unit.”
In charge of his 30 person troop, Sergeant LaMasney led his team through 44 rocket attacks that occurred on base, and traveled 1,700 miles in constant threat of improvised explosives.
“I am humbled more than anything that my leadership thought highly enough of the efforts and accomplishments of our team to submit me for this,” LaMasney said.
The bronze star is a meritorious achievement metal that involves participation in connection with military operations against armed enemies. The medal is the armed forces’ fourth-highest combat medal.
