First Lt. Michael Small received a Bronze Star for leading and helping organize the first Air Force-only Security Forces unit to conduct law and order operations on an Army facility—Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. Under his watch, the airmen handled more than 10 mortar and rockets attacks, a rape investigation, and provided security support for several VIPs. The Army submitted Small, who is an instructor with the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
