Bronze for Laughlin Airman:

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For his actions as senior life support advisor and lead combat patrol gunner, TSgt. Natividad Ruiz Jr. received a Bronze Star Medal. Ruiz deployed to Iraq from Laughlin AFB, Tex., serving at an Iraqi Training Base in Diyala Province with the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team. Capt. Ken Hall reports that the training Ruiz provided led to the Iraqi assumption of life support operations six months earlier than anticipated. He led combat patrols over more than 1,000 miles of hostile terrain, protecting explosive ordnance disposal technicians and dismounted combat patrols.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org