Great actions on deployment earn captain Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  When the time comes for servicemembers to deploy it should be more than just going on another deployment and doing the same routine.

Capt. Reid Touchberry, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of plans and programming, did exactly that and received the Bronze Star at Misawa Air Base, June 13, 2012 for his actions on his recent deployment to Camp Sierra, Afghanistan.

"Capt. Touchberry's superior leadership and mentorship facilitated the outstanding quality of construction and facility support provided to the Afghan National Police," said Army Brig. Gen. Terence Hildner, Deputy Commander of general-support operations on the deployment. "His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself."

While in Afghanistan, Touchberry was the engineer for the Afghan national police and went on over 120 convoys as convoy commander with fellow servicemembers throughout the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul Province. He also delivered more than 50 boxes of school supplies to five schools in the local area.

Touchberry said the biggest thing was to make sure the people of Afghanistan can begin to do things on their own.

"I don't want to have people who come after me to worry about Afghanistan," said Touchberry. "I want our actions over there to make a difference."

Along with convoys and delivering school supplies, increasing the security of Kabul Province was a big thing while we were there, said Touchberry. Ten gates were built on the deployment to increase security around the area.

Touchberry and other servicemembers provided support and efforts to prepare for the future success of Afghanistan, said Hildner.

"You never do the work you do for an award," said Touchberry. "You do it to make sure your time over there is worthwhile."