Malmstrom master sergeant awarded bronze star for service in Iraq

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eydie Sakura
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  One member of Team Malmstrom received a Bronze Star Oct. 25 for his efforts in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom April 2006 to 2007. 

Master Sgt. Paul Tranetzke, 341st Missile Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, was deployed to Al Kasik, Iraq, with the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron as a senior enlisted military advisor, and showed exceptionally meritorious service while engaged in ground combat operations against the enemy. 

"[The deployment] was a truly amazing experience and I doubt I will ever have that type of opportunity again in my career," the Bronze Star recipient said. "It is definitely nice to be recognized with this award for a major effort; time away from family and friends, but at the same time, it brought back a lot of memories that were kind of put in storage, so [the award presentation] was an emotional time for me as well." 

During the ceremony, more than 100 security forces members and wing leadership packed the wing's conference room to honor and congratulate their fellow Airman on his accomplishments. 

"Sergeant Tranetzke and his four-man team executed transition efforts for an Iraqi army base defense battalion and showed them how to patrol outside the wire," said Col. Steve Asher, 341st Security Forces Group commander, at the ceremony. "He's a hero who did the right thing and wasn't afraid to go outside the wire to protect the base." 

Sergeant Tranetzke oversaw base entry control point operations, processing more than 28,000 personnel and 3,600 vehicles; he led and trained Iraqi patrols on more than 900 combat missions covering 94 square miles; and he secured more than 30 landing zones in order to safely evacuate more than 40 Iraqi soldiers and civilians injured by insurgents. 

His actions as convoy commander during multiple small arms fire and improvised explosive device attacks were critical to mission success without injuries or loss of equipment. 

"He helped build schools and water wells," Colonel Asher said. "His team reduced their attacks on base by 98 percent. He was also personally given a tip that resulted in the Army Delta Force finding the second largest weapons cache near Mosul. I am very humbled to be here today to present this award."

 The Bronze Star recipient said his tour in Al Kasik was the most rewarding deployment in his 19 years in the service, and spent his whole tour "outside the wire" and living side-by-side his Iraqi counterparts. 

"Everything I did, every day, meant something, and the results of my efforts were seen immediately," Sergeant Tranetzke said. "There was a lot of danger and destruction, but I still wouldn't trade it for [another deployment] anywhere else. I got to truly make a difference and experience what Iraqis are like, all the while contributing first-hand to what our nation is doing, every day, to make a more stable future for Iraq." 

The Bronze Star is awarded to military servicemembers who distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.