USAFE Members Receive Bronze Star

Maj. Gen. Mark Schissler, U.S. Air Forces in Europe director of the Plans, Programs and Analyses Directorate, presents the Bronze Star to Lt. Col. David Sumera, USAFE Plans, Program and Analyses chief of the Europe and Eurasia Branch, Feb. 14, 2011, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Colonel Sumera was deployed as the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron commander from July 12, 2009 to July 6, 2010. He received the Bronze Star for providing leadership to the second largest communications site in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, generating 6,300 combat sorties directly supporting 3,500 events of troops-in-contact with the enemy. He ensured continuous communications were available throughout the AOR with providing support and connectivity to various aircraft. The Bronze Star is awarded to a person in any branch of the military service who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces on or after Dec. 7, 1941, shall have distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. It can also be awarded for heroism while serving with friendly forces engaged in combat against an opposing military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sarayuth Pinthong)