Thank You, the Army Way

Twenty-nine airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s Det. 3 received Army cavalry combat spurs on Oct. 20 for their efforts in building more than 25,000 square feet of housing and administrative offices at Forward Operating Base Hunter, Iraq, for soldiers of the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. They were awarded the spurs, representing cavalry service in a combat zone, during the ceremony at which they turned over the symbolic base key to the soldiers. “The golden combat spurs we were awarded today are the highest honor I have received in any of my deployments in the Air Force,” said TSgt. Charles Tolbert, the detachment’s electrician. He continued, “To say I am very proud is an understatement.” The airmen recognized their Army brethren with certificates of achievement and challenge coins. Det. 3 is also responsible for building FOB Garry Owen, from which members of the 1st Calvary Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team plan to orchestrate their effort to counter weapon smuggling along the southeastern Iraq-Iran border. (FOB Hunter report by Army SSgt. Mark Schenk)