TSgt. Ronnie Brickey, an explosive ordnance disposal instructor at the US Air Force Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, Fla., received a Bronze Star medal, his fourth overall, for his work as an EOD team leader during his most recent deployment to Afghanistan. “Sergeant Brickey will tell you, ‘I was just doing my job,’ but the job he chooses to perform is vastly different from other jobs,” said Col. Eric Ray, USAFSOS commandant, in Air Force Special Operation Command’s May 15 release. As team leader, Brickey was responsible for disposal of more than 6,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance items, 70 improvised explosive devices, and 24 weapons caches. Among his accomplishments, he successfully disarmed a sophisticated IED with an anti-tampering device that would have prompted detonation with movement in excess of three millimeters and performed lifesaving medical treatment on two Army soldiers struck by an IED, said AFSOC officials. Brickey said the award was truly an honor. “I really appreciate it,” he said. (Hurlburt report by Rachel Arroyo)
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.