Bronze Star presented to Kadena major

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady
  • 18th Wing
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Hunziker of the 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was presented the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service May 21, 2012.
Hunziker was the commander of the 442nd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan from January 2011 to January 2012 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Performing his first duty as a commander, he was directly responsible for achieving key coalition counterinsurgency operational objectives and strengthening the military relationship with Afghanistan's National Security Forces. His keen understanding of the air advisor mission allowed for the smooth integration of the initial international Air Advisor Team, consisting of Belgian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian and Latvian aircraft maintenance professionals resulting in a cohesive NATO air advisory operation at Kandahar Air Field.

"Being able to do the mission, lead my unit, and work with the Afghans was a great feeling," said Hunziker. "My folks did an awesome job. They built upon the groundwork there to help the Afghans become an independent Air Force."

He coordinated the day to day operations of 27 American military, NATO, and coalition maintenance professionals who were responsible for training, assisting, and equipping 195 Afghans soldiers in order to develop a capable and professional Kandahar Air Wing Maintenance Group. Working alongside senior Afghan Air Force leadership, he developed a sustainable flying program for the Kandahar Air Wing that increased combat flight hours available to the Afghan National Army's 205th and 215th Corps by 33 percent.

Similarly, his outstanding professional knowledge proved invaluable to Kandahar Air Wing's successfully generating over 2,000 combat sorties, moving roughly 440,000 pounds of cargo, transporting more than 12,100 passengers, and evacuating more than 70 wounded warriors.

"It is always an honor to receive an award, but to have it presented by your senior leadership and in front of your peers is a honor I will never forget," said Hunziker.