185th ARW Airmen Recognized for Combat Action

SIOUX CITY, IA – The Air Force Combat Action Medal was awarded to retired Staff Sgt. Leanna Guevara, retired Staff Sgt. Jon L. Pinkleman, Staff Sgt. Megan Huber, and Tech. Sgt. Thadeus E. Miller, current or former members of the 185th Air Refueling Security Forces, on November 3, 2013 during a ceremony in Sioux City, IA. The recipients were involved in combat during their deployments to Iraq in 2005 and 2006. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Tech. Sgt. Oscar Sanchez/Released)

Airmen Recognized for Combat Action

Published Dec. 7, 2013
By MSgt. Bill Wiseman
185th ARW Public Affairs

SIOUX CITY, IA -- SIOUX CITY, IA - Four members of the Iowa Air Guard's 185th Iowa Air Refueling Wing, Sioux City, Iowa, were awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal (AFCAM) at a recent ceremony in Sioux City.

Tech. Sgt. Thadeus E. Miller, Staff Sgt. Megan M. Huber, retired Staff Sgt. Jon L. Pinkleman and retired Staff Sgt. Leanna Guevara received the medal at the ceremony.

This is an extremely hard medal to earn, said Col. Brian Miller, commander of the 185th Air Refueling Wing.

The recipients were members of the 185th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Flight and earned their medals for their actions while deployed in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2005 and 2006. The Airmen provided security to three separate convoys that were attacked by enemy forces.

The AFCAM may be awarded to any airman from Airman Basic to Colonel that participated in active combat, either on the ground or in the air as part of their official duty. This award, first awarded in 2007, came about as a direct result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the war in Iraq.