628th CEF Engineers awarded for deployment achievements Published Sept. 30, 2009 By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Sandstorms, intense heat and lack of creature comforts did not thwart the men and women of the 628th Civil Engineer Flight from accomplishing their various missions during their recent deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during the summer of 2009. Eighteen 628th CEF Airmen were awarded a total of 24 decorations for their achievements by the Air Force and Army for their dedication to duty and achievements during their recent deployment. Those awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. The engineers of the 628th fulfilled a range of support missions in Southwest Asia. Those range of jobs included airfield pavement evaluations and oversight of various projects including design and construction. By definition civil engineering involves the conception, design, construction, and management of structures and altering geography to suit human use. Military engineering also requires strategic support away from the front lines, such as construction or maintenance of airfields, roads, bridges, and hospitals. "The level of stress was intense from the time of our arrival," said Col. Ronald Sims, 628th CEF commander and recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization International Security Assistance Force Medal. Colonel Sims served as the Air Forces Central A7 Forward Pavement Condition Index Survey Team commander in Southwest Asia. "I led an airfield pavement survey team which performed pavement condition surveys at multiple locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait," he said. "Our surveys of the airfields required us to physically walk over the airfield pavements. After a couple of months of walking on pavement in a hot desert environment some of us had problems with our feet and knees. It was a challenge to stay healthy and not get injured," said Colonel Sims. "The number one lesson learned during this deployment was to stay flexible," said Lt. Col. Robert S. Brown, 628th CEF readiness program manager. Colonel Brown was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service. Colonel Brown served as the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Facility Engineer Team 4 commander. He led a team of Airmen who were tasked to provide engineering support for the Army's 10th Mountain Division which was assigned as the Multi-National Division - South. Colonel Brown also served as the base master planner for the headquarters relocation out of Bagdad. "The challenges and opportunities that I enjoyed the most were the ever-changing mission requirements," he said. "My team's headquarters was in Bagdad at the beginning of our deployment. Our headquarters was required to move another location before we completed the time of our deployment. The new facility had to be completed in less than 90 days from the day the decision was made for the move. More than 60,000 square feet of office space and command control facilities were completed on time and under budget," said Colonel Brown. It was not unusual for the deployed 628 CEF Airmen to immediately take charge and get into the action after arriving. "We were working 12-hour shifts during the first week of our arrival," said Major Andre Wright, recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Major Wright served as the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron military construction project management officer-in-charge. He was responsible for all processes that dealt with Army-funded construction. Two of the projects Major Wright was responsible for included the completion of a 24-hour dining facility and the construction of an overhead protection for a fitness center. "One of our biggest challenges was communicating with the local workers," he said. "Because of the language barriers it was difficult to communicate the processes to them for getting on base to perform the work. "I enjoyed the mission I was assigned to. It was exciting to know that I was a part of a team that was responsible for completing real-world missions that had real-world impact," said Major Wright. The following is a list of the men and women of the 628th who were recognized for their service in Southwest Asia: BRONZE STAR MEDAL Lt.Col. Robert S. Brown, Jr. Lt.Col. Scott A. Carlin Lt.Col. Earle B. Combs, IV Maj. Daniel D. Connors Lt.Col. Edward W. Hogan Lt.Col. Stephen R. Koenig Lt. Col. Christopher T. Whitehead (presently assigned as 94th CES commander) MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL Col. Ronald D. Sims Maj. Brett D. Hansen Lt.Col. Michael A. Bohls Maj. Charles M. Butts Capt. Matthew A. Gill Chief Master Sgt. Ward R. Durant AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL Maj. Andre J. Wright 1st Lt. Patricia M. Barbisch ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL Lt.Col. Edward W. Hogan Tech. Sgt. Russell H. Darnell (2) ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL Maj Andre J. Wright Capt. Samuel B. Gardner NATO NON-SECTION 5 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE MEDAL Col. Ronald D. Sims Lt.Col. Michael A. Bohls Maj. Brett D. Hansen Chief Master Sgt. Ward R. Durant Staff Sgt. Walter I. Bennett
