Tyndall captain earns meritorious medal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christopher Reel
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A 325th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron captain was awarded the Bronze Star Medal Dec. 13 at the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group auditorium.

Capt. Emily E. Harris, 325th AMXS logistics officer, distinguished herself by exceptionally meritorious service in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from Feb. 20 to Aug. 27, 2013 during her deployment to Afghanistan.

The Bronze Star is the fourth highest military decoration. It is awarded to a service member in any branch of the military service who performed heroic or meritorious achievement or service to individuals in ground combat.

While on her deployment, Harris filled the shoes as North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission-Afghanistan end-use monitoring OIC and deputy logistics officer, and managed a team of eight personnel from four countries. It was their responsibility to handle EUM functions, property transfers and Regional Support Command-North unit supply.

"EUM is a congressionally mandated program to ensure the security and accountability of all U.S. defense articles provided to Afghan National Security Forces," said Harris. "This includes an annual 100 percent serial number inventory of all night vision devices, routine inspections of small arms, vehicles and communication equipment."

During her deployment, her and her team completed 40 inspections, consisting of 1,300 weapons and night vision devices worth more than $150 million.

In addition to EUM duties, her and her team coordinated the transfer and meeting NATO Training Mission -Afghanistan to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, which has 17 branches.

"We also oversaw all the supply and billeting operations in Regional Support Command-North. We maintained accountability of 3,100 assets worth approximately $36.9 million," Harris said.

The Kings Park, NY native's actions shined on all levels.

"We are extremely proud of Emily's accomplishments while being deployed as well as her receiving the Bronze Star Medal," said Maj. Kevin D. Kobithen, 325th AMXS maintenance operations officer and Harris' supervisor. "She was gone for about one full year with all of the schools and training she had to complete before she went to Afghanistan. She did her job and she excelled at it."

During that year she learned and experienced more than many will ever have the opportunity to.

"It was a good experience where I was afforded the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of great people in a joint and coalition environment. It was an opportunity that most people don't get in the Air Force to work with the Army and be on the ground, outside-the-wire interacting with the Afghans on a regular basis. It was great to advise and mentor the ANSF and see the direct impact we are having on their mission, especially as we get to transfer more and more responsibility to the ANSF.

Though it was a great experience, it doesn't mean it didn't have its challenges.

"Planning and coordinating missions to all the ANSF units in the North was really difficult," said Harris. "The units moved around and we needed the exact grid coordinates to plan missions. We also had to figure out which ANSF units had mentors and if they did, find out who they were and coordinate our visit through them."

Emily is a terrific maintenance officer, explained Kobithen.

"I know she will continue to lead from the front as she did while being embedded with the Army during her deployment in Afghanistan," Kobithen said. "She was so good there that the Army asked to keep her for an additional three to four months, but we needed her back here to get the 95th up and running. She has all the right tools to stand-up and lead our new combat coded unit. I am very happy to have her on our team!

"This medal is just a testament to her tremendous work ethic and professionalism. Emily positively represented the Air Force and Team Tyndall, and we are glad to have her back," added Kobithen.

Receiving this award has been overwhelming, she explained.

"I was just trying to do the job the Air Force and Army asked me to do to the best of my ability. I was fortunate to work with a great team at Regional Support Command-North who worked hard to support the EUM and property transfer missions.

"I couldn't have done this without my Regional Support Command-North logistics and engineer teams, and all their hard work in accomplishing the mission on a daily basis," she said. "We also had a great group of soldiers from the Guam National Guard, the 294th Infantry Battalion, Alpha Company, who ran our convoys and provided our personal security detachment when we were out and on the ground. Their professionalism and dedication enabled my team to focus on the mission and not worry about the security aspect."