Major receives Bronze Star for achievements

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dillon White
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  A 341st Missile Wing warrior was presented with a Bronze Star medal Oct. 22 during a senior NCO and officer call at the base auditorium. 

Maj. Natalie Bonetti, 341st MW inspector general, received the medal from Maj. Gen. Roger Burg, 20th Air Force commander, for her meritorious achievement as the 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, from July 11, 2008 to July 9, 2009. 

The major led 214 Airmen during four consecutive four-month Air Expeditionary Force rotations and executed the Base Operating Support-Integration by facilitating a 500 percent increase in programs from the Army, as well as management of more than $100 million in assets. 

"It was a great opportunity and I learned a lot," Major Bonetti said. "It was an honor. I can't think of anything more rewarding than command in a combat zone." 

Following the BOSI, Major Bonetti's group ran all the installation's morale, welfare and recreation programs, USO tours, three fitness centers and swimming pools, four dining facilities and four satellite dining facilities that ran meals to servicemembers on the flightline. 

The group also maintained the ability to lodge 25,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, contractors and civilian employees. This included integrating Army and Air Force lodging policy, guaranteeing equity and quality of life for 15,000 servicemebers. 

"It was another challenge," she said. "I have a track record of walking into a position with the ultimate goal of making it better for my successor." 

The major continued by saying that working in a joint environment was rewarding.
"The services are different, but ultimately, we have a common goal and work jointly to get there," she said. "We had Soldiers working in our dining facility and we were integrating culturally disparate services with the majority of the BOSI functions and new joint policy." 

The major's implementation plan for providing life support services for some 28,000 coalition personnel became a Department of Defense benchmark. 

"Malmstrom is fortunate to have Major Bonetti on board," said Col. Michael Fortney, 341st Missile Wing commander. "Our team needs highly motivated professionals to help execute our mission. As the wing's inspector general, I'm sure she will continue to excel."