Bronze Star recipients

Two Ramstein-based Airmen were recently presented with high military decorations for their exceptional work. Maj. Gen. Paul J. Fletcher, commander of the 16th Air Force, presented two Airmen with the Bronze Star, given for their heroic or meritorious acheivement or service.

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Lt. Col. Wayne Canipe, 4th Air Support Operations Group, was awarded the Bronze Star Sept. 19 at Ramstein. Colonel Canipe was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom March to September 2005 as the commander of the 1st Detachment 4th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron for the Combined/Joint Task Force.  He was responsible for the planning and integration of fixed wing close air support for the 173rd Airborne Brigade providing 451 CAS and 342 electronic warfare missions.

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Chief Master Sgt. Roger Cross, 4th Air Support Operations Group, was awarded the Bronze Star Sept. 19 at Ramstein. Chief Cross was deployed to Camp Victory, Iraq, January to May for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Under his direction, the 4th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group organized and directed combat operations for 260 Airmen with 21 Air Force Specialty Codes at more than 30 geographically separated locations in an area of 58,000 square miles.  Among other accomplishments, Chief Cross supervised a fleet of 113 vehicles valued at more than $15 million and directed the upgrade of slick HMMWVs to MRC-Lites.
(Courtesy of USAFE Public Affairs)