EOD Airman receives Incirlik's first AFCAM

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Stanton
  • 39th Air Base Wing, Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  An Airman from the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight was presented Incirlik's first Air Force Combat Action Medal Aug. 29.

Senior Airman Benjamin McCullough, 39 CES EOD journeyman, was awarded the AFCAM for combat action that took place while on a six-month deployment to Iraq in September, 2007, where he was working with the U.S. Army's 130th Engineering Battalion out of the Baghdad International Airport.

The AFCAM may be awarded to Airmen that have directly participated in active combat, either in the air or on the ground, as part of their official duty.

"While on a route clearance mission, a rocket propelled grenade was fired at our vehicle and flew over our hood missing us by only a foot or two," Airman McCullough recalls of the event.

This particular incident was one of many Airman McCullough faced while deployed.

"Getting attacked was an everyday thing during the deployment," he said.

One attack that sticks in his mind the most was the first time his platoon was hit by an improvised explosive device.

"It was our first trip from a forward operating base outside of Kirkuk to a patrol base. We had five trucks; mine was in the middle," he said. "The number two truck was hit with the IED and had the back tire blown to pieces. I've been around explosions my entire career, but when one detonates right in front of you, your heart rate goes up. You wonder who's hurt and who's not. You realize you're not in Kansas anymore!"

Airmen in the EOD career field are routinely deployed to places such as Iraq and Afghanistan and take part in many combat actions.

"It's great to see EOD warriors being recognized for the danger we face while deployed," said Staff Sgt. Adam Cole, 39 CES EOD. "When it comes to the war on terror, we have a very large role in neutralizing the IED as the terrorist's weapon of choice. Airman McCullough receiving this medal is proof on paper that we are a highly trained force dedicated to this fight."

As an EOD journeyman, Airman McCullough's basic duty is to render safe all ordnance or IEDs. While deployed, he disarmed or "rendered safe" more than 35 IEDs, more than 10 unexploded ordnance and participated in more than 15 post-blast operations. He was also a part of more than 25 route clearance missions where a team would go "outside the wire" and drive around Baghdad looking for IEDs set up on the roads.

"All we had time to do was work, sleep or eat," he said. "It's like a camping trip that never ended in which you also get shot at."

Despite the numerous attacks Airman McCullough and his team endured while deployed, he said he would do it all over again.

"It was an experience, and experiences are the only things you get in life," he said. "They make you who you are."

As the first Incirlik Airman to receive this medal, Airman McCullough was called in front of a packed club ballroom during the base's monthly recognition ceremony.

"It's always nice to get a little recognition for the work you do," he said. "It was great to be the first Incirlik Airman presented this award, but I'm sure I'm the first of many. With the Air Force's war-fighter culture and us working jointly with the Army, it will become more prevalent."