The Air Force has awarded a second Bronze Star medal to SMSgt. Ken Pettibone, an explosive ordnance disposal technician at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, for his actions while deployed for more than a year to Iraq—his fifth deployment to Southwest Asia. This time, Pettibone led a weapons intelligence team at forward operating bases, investigating the aftermath of improvised explosive devices. (Spangdahlem report by SMSgt. Cheryl Toner)
The dramatic and sprawling two-day operation to save the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran on April 3 involved hundreds of personnel, dozens of aircraft—and multiple close calls.