Two NCOs receive combat medal

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Capling
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An NCO from the 325th Security Forces Squadron and one from the 325th Civil Engineer Squadron were awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal during the Commander's Call ceremony here March 14.

Staff Sgt. Cesar Flores, 325th SFS flight chief and Staff Sgt. Jonathon Morrison, 325th CES explosive ordinance disposal craftsman, were presented the award by Col. Darryl Roberson, 325th Fighter Wing commander.

Sergeant Morrison earned his medal July 21 while conducting a route clearance mission in Iraq. His team was targeted and fired upon by an improvised explosive rocket. The rocket came within 10 meters of the sergeant's vehicle and detonated nearby. Sergeant Morrison immediately deployed a robot, established area safe, and gathered materials from the device for intelligence purposes.

"Staff Sgt. Morrison is a proven warrior," said Master Sgt. Dennis Robison, 325th CES first sergeant. "He simply embodies our core value of service before self."

Sergeant Flores earned his medal June 15 while assigned to the 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in Iraq as a truck commander. During a vehicle mounted patrol, the sergeant's vehicle was hit with an explosively formed projectile. Despite suffering wounds to the back of his head and hands, he was able to counterattack the enemy and help his driver move their wounded gunner out of harms way to perform combat life-saving techniques.

"Sergeant Flores is a top-notch NCO that leads from the front," said Major Paul Quigley, 325th SFS commander. "The Combat Action Medal was well deserved for such heroic actions."

Sergeant Flores said the award brought back both good and bad memories from his deployment.

"It felt overwhelming to say the least," he said. "Out of all my medals, this has meant the most because of the magnitude."