HQ USAFE member awarded Bronze Star

  • Published
  • By Capt. Elizabeth Culbertson
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
Ramstein Air Base, Germany --  A member of U.S. Air Forces in Europe headquarters staff received the Bronze Star medal here recently.

Lt. Col. Craig W. Romero was recognized for his achievements as deputy commander for the 379th Maintenance Group, Al-Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 11, 2005 through June 16, 2006.

Gen. Tom Hobbins, USAFE commander, presented the award during a staff call Sep. 5.

During his service in Qatar, Colonel Romero led the generation of over 26,000 combat sorties totaling over 94,000 flying hours in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and Combined Joint Task Force HORN OF AFRICA.

Colonel Romero also rectified spiraling C-130J fleet mission capability rates by acquiring more than $13 million of spares support and spurring a system program office engine bypass valve and nozzle contamination investigation, resulting in a thirty-five percent C-130J mission capability increase.

Colonel Romero orchestrated U.S. Central Command's first centralized intermediate repair functions for C-130 propulsion and C-130 and KC-135 wheels and tires. By shifting repair functions from Europe and establishing operations at Al-Udeid AB, he reduced the transportation demand on Air Mobility Command, saving $672,000 in shipping costs and eliminating transportation queues by 367 days.

The Bronze Star is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who shall have distinguished him or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.