Edwards Airman honored with Combat Action Metal

Col. Nancy Wharton, 95th Air Base Wing vice commander, presents the Air Force Combat Action Medal to Senior Airman Oscar Ortega, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit technician, during a ceremony at the Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate Main Conference Center Sept.16. On Sept. 16, 2006, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Airman Ortega and two other EOD technicians also from Edwards, Master Sgt. David Larriva and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Last, disarmed three improvised explosive devices in a kill zone after enduring gunfire from the enemy. Once they completed their reconnaissance for more IEDs, the Airmen gathered into their Humvee. As soon as Airman Ortega, who was the driver, put their vehicle into reverse, another hidden IED exploded and launched them into the air. The two sergeants survived, but Airman Ortega received some hearing damage. (Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William O’Brien)