Civil Engineer Airman awarded Bronze Star Published March 7, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Col. Scott Enold, the 39th Mission Support Group commander, presents the Bronze Star medal to Capt. Matthew Lapham, from the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron, Feb. 17, 2011, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Captain Lapham deployed as the 506th Explosive Ordinance Disposal flight commander and served with Joint Task Force Troy supporting 1st Brigade of the 1st Armored Division. During his time in Iraq he led 32 Airmen, six soldiers, four contractors and two interpreters to complete 597 successful missions. He also supported over 16,000 coalition forces and over one million local civilians across a 42,000 square-mile battle space in Iraq. Captain Lapham's work with Iraqi Security Forces helped improve and increase Iraqi SF capabilities. The Bronze Star is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces on or after Dec. 7, 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. It can also be awarded for heroism while serving with friendly forces engaged in combat against an opposing military.