An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Tyndall security forces Airmen awarded combat action medals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Two Tyndall security forces Airmen were awarded combat action medals for their actions in combat during a recent deployment to Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Deante Brooks and Airman 1st Class Darius Echols, 325th Security Forces Squadron, received their medals in a ceremony here Oct. 21. The Airmen participated in the largest attack on an air base since the Vietnam War.

Insurgents launched a predawn assault May 19, 2010 against the giant U.S.-run Bagram Air Field, killing an American contractor and wounding nine service members in the second Taliban strike on NATO forces in and around the capital. At least 10 insurgents were killed as Taliban suicide bombers attempted to breach the defenses of the base north of Kabul, while others fired rockets and grenades inside, according to a statement issued by U.S. forces.

"The combat action medal makes us unique in our career field," said Sergeant Brooks. "The Air Force has acknowledged our actions in an event that not every Airman will take part in."

Sergeant Brooks was performing a security sweep of the perimeter of the airfield when he and a security forces teammate were stopped by a pair of U.S. Marines. The Marines warned Sergeant Brooks and his teammate that unidentified individuals were approaching the base and crossing barriers and terrain at an alarming rate. The group realized they must engage the enemy.

As the four Americans approached barriers being used as cover by the insurgents, they began taking enemy fire. The makeshift team returned fire, but the two Marines were forced to fall back. Sergeant Brooks, meanwhile, was still engaged with the combatants when his wingman was injured by a grenade. Though still under fire, Sergeant Brooks began providing emergency first-aid to the Airman. As news of additional enemy forces were approaching the perimeter circulated, Sergeant Brooks realized he must get his teammate to safety immediately. He raced to the base hospital with the wounded Airman, providing assistance and reassurance along the way.

Once he ensured that the injured Airman arrived safely and was in medical care, Sergeant Brooks refocused his attention. He returned to the fight, manning a 50-caliber machine gun until a helicopter gunship arrived to provide aerial reinforcement.

"This happened half-way through our six-month deployment so we were in a routine," Sergeant Brooks said. "We were doing a common perimeter check and just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

"I'm grateful and happy the Air Force chose to recognize us with these medals," he added. "It's good to know they heard what we did and our actions didn't go unnoticed."

In addition to Sergeant Brooks' actions on that day, Airman Echols also took action. 

He was posted in a perimeter tower providing perimeter security for the base populace when 12 to 15 rounds of indirect fire impacted the installation near his post. Reports went out over the radio of more than 25 insurgents armed with rocket propelled grenades, AK-47 rifles and suicide vests. They had penetrated multiple sectors of the perimeter. Scanning the base perimeter from his observation tower, Airman Echols observed two insurgents advancing toward his position. One insurgent was killed by a sniper in an adjacent tower, but the other kept advancing towards Airman Echols using covering fire. Echols returned fire with the support of a mobile fire team. The insurgent was hit and fell to the ground behind a mud wall being used for cover. The insurgent then re-appeared and advanced, coming within 25 meters of his position. Echols once again returned fire, killing the enemy insurgent.

"It was nerve-racking," Airman Echols said. "I hear a lot about Airmen who deploy and nothing ever happens, so to be involved in something so dramatic during my first deployment was an experience to say the least."

"I wasn't orginially tasked for this particular deployment and I went on short-notice," he continued. "It was a good experience though - I had faith in my team and my leadership. Hopefully my next deployment will be low-key."