Two Utah ANG Airmen receive Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Maj. Krista DeAngelis
  • 151st ARW/PA
Two Airmen from the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah Air National Guard, were recently presented Bronze Stars at an awards ceremony during the base's Family Day August 1. Bronze Stars are awarded for bravery, acts of merit or meritorious service.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Bullivant and Tech. Sgt. Barry Duffield were awarded the medals for meritorious service for serving as team leaders in the 506th Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight while deployed to Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. The deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Tech. Sgt. Bullivant:
During the deployment, Sergeant Bullivant was recognized for leading 136 missions, accumulating 550 combat hours and enduring 11 enemy attacks against his team. He destroyed 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 16 suspect and hoax IEDs, 2,127 enemy ordnance items and 1,800 pounds of explosives.

On December 3, 2007, Sergeant Bullivant's convoy was struck by an IED during a 12-hour combat patrol. He ensured the scene was cleared and led a post-blast investigation on the platoon commander's vehicle where he had to secure additional IEDs. He assisted the commander with finding a safe return route home and mitigated further loss of life. He also provided crucial support to the U.S. Secret Service on March 18, 2008 during Vice President Cheney's visit to the Kirkuk region. He directed airport searches, cleared 41 motorized vehicles and secured the motorcade route to the Kurdish president's palace.

Tech. Sgt. Barry Duffield:
Sergeant Duffield was recognized for the destruction of 48 IEDs and five vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices during his deployment. He accumulated 373 combat hours conducting 125 combat missions and was responsible for clearing 2,540 miles of critical and alternate supply routes through Iraq.

On February 18, 2008, Sergeant Duffield's combat leadership skills were put to the test while responding to an IED threat. Sergeant Duffield performed a post-blast analysis of the IED's damage while under concentrated machine-gun fire less than 100 meters away. He directed his vehicles to maneuver and return fire silencing enemy fighting positions and enabling all patrols to safely clear the fire-fight location and return to base sustaining no loss.