Misawa AB Airman receives Combat Action Medal

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jamal Sutter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Although impossible to compensate servicememers for the physical pain, mental anguish and heartache often suffered while in the field, receiving the Air Force Combat Action Medal is a milestone in any Airman's career.

Special Agent Askia Cochran of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 623 was presented the AFCAM here recently by Col. Sarah Garcia, AFOSI Region 6 commander, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Agent Cochran served as a counterintelligence agent, conducted intelligence gathering and targeting operations to deter and neutralize threats to Iraqi civilians and Coalition Forces operating throughout Iraq, during his deployment to the Middle East from August 2007 to January 2008.

Agent Cochran earned the AFCAM while recovering a weapons cache with Special Agent Hillary Zuege and their interpreter on Sep. 30, 2007. The unit was attacked by an insurgent group conducting heavy machine gun and mortar attacks. The insurgent group was held back by ground fire from the unit and Apache air support, and the cache was secured and removed from the area.

Although proud to be presented the medal, Agent Cochran remained humble in light of the recognition.

"Receiving the Combat Action Medal shows that our organization cares about what we do and acknowledges our efforts," Agent Cochran said. "Although we don't serve our country for the recognition or praise, I am grateful to have been awarded this medal in honor of those who fought beside me and those who continue the fight."

With more Airmen deploying and being called into theater, Agent Cochran remains positive while the Nation takes part in an ongoing war.

"The event did not change my perspective of deployments," he said. "It only solidified the fact that there is a real threat to Coalition Forces and innocent civilians, and with more Airmen conducting 'outside-the-wire' missions, that threat must be taken seriously."

Airmen are eligible for the Air Force Combat Action Medal if their primary role includes performing duties in a combat zone, either on the ground or from the air, by entering into an unsecured area away from an established installation, according to the criteria listed in Air Force recognition programs. While performing their duties, they must have come under fire or fire upon an enemy to qualify.

A combat zone is defined as a geographic area for which an Airman receives imminent danger or hostile fire pay.

The medal is designed to evoke Air Force heritage, scarlet with diagonal yellow stripes - adapted from the art insignia on the aircraft of Gen. Billy Mitchell, who coordinated the first air-to-ground offensive in history. Moreover, the AFCAM features an eagle grasping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other. The arrows signify preparedness for war while the olive branch represents a goal of peace, according to official Air Force wear guidance.