I served 23 years in the Air Force as a Radio technician/TACP (Tactical Air Control Party). My job was essentially to maintain the radios that talk to the aircraft and call in air strikes for the Army. During this time, I deployed in combat situations in Panama, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. During my deployment to Afghanistan, I was awarded the Air Force Commendation medal with Valor. During a mortar attack and a potential overrun of our forward operating base, we came under small arms fire and extreme mortar/rocket attacks. The radio we were using to talk to the aircraft dropping bombs and staffing the Taliban fighters dropped its crypto key. I had to run 1.5 miles, dodging enemy fire and mortars, and then had to run back. Due to this, we were able to thwart the incursion of over 100 terrorist, and had over 50 confirmed kills. While in Iraq, I was awarded the Bronze Star medal (4th highest award in the military), for the work and actions I performed there.