23rd CES sergeant awarded Bronze Star Medal

  • Published
  • By Airman Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Senior Master Sgt. Brian Loisel, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron operations superintendent, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement during a ceremony here March 31.

Sergeant Loisel served in Iraq from April 21, 2008 to Oct. 19, 2008.

"I think it's great that I've earned this award, but it wouldn't have happened without my team," said Sergeant Loisel. "They did everything and anything that was asked of them; they didn't turn down a single mission and they always had a positive attitude while accomplishing each one."

The Bronze Star Medal is the fourth highest individual military decoration that is awarded for bravery and heroism. It recognizes meritorious service in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

During his six month deployment, Sergeant Loisel served as senior enlisted manager for the 732nd Expeditionary CES, Detachment 3, located in Baghdad, Iraq.

The citation accompanying his award reads, "While exposed to extreme danger posed by insurgent forces, Sergeant Loisel and his team traveled 3,000 miles over enemy-targeted roads to complete 100 combat logistics patrols without a single casualty. He spearheaded the acquisition of two Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, enabling his detachment to conduct independent outside-the-wire missions for the first time. Under threat of rocket and mortar attack, Sergeant Loisel provided superb leadership that enabled construction of two combat outposts worth $4 million. He built life support areas and tactical operating centers to accommodate 1,700 warriors, providing two platforms for ground maneuver operations."

"I'm very proud of him being awarded the Bronze Star Medal. It speaks volumes about his performance and professionalism as an Airman and a leader," said Lt. Col Greg Williams, 23rd CES commander. "It's also telling about the quality of Airmen that he represents in this squadron, group and wing.

"Civil engineers have a motto of 'engineers lead the way,' and Sergeant Loisel is the perfect example of that," he added.