[Times photos: Kinfay Moroti]
Lt. Gen. John Baker, left, encourages four Bronze Star recipients to smile after receiving their awards at MacDill Air Force Base Wednesday. Maj. Jeanette Voigt, from left, Chief Master Sgt. Lloydette Joseph, Master Sgt. Raymon Washington and Master Sgt. Michael Thompson were recognized for their service during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Lt. Gen. John Baker, left, salutes after giving Master Sgt. Michael Thompson a Bronze Star, signifying "heroic or meritorious achievement or service," at MacDill Air Force Base on Wednesday.
TAMPA - They stayed behind the front lines. But they worked relentlessly to ensure that the United States controlled the skies.
And for that, four members of the Air Force - two men, two women - received the Bronze Star medal on Wednesday in honor of their performance during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.
The Bronze Star is awarded to service members who distinguish themselves through "heroic or meritorious achievement or service" during military conflict.
Wednesday's recipients at MacDill Air Force Base were Maj. Jeanette Voigt, Chief Master Sgt. Lloydette Joseph, Master Sgt. Raymon Washington and Master Sgt. Michael Thompson. They didn't do anything overtly heroic. They simply worked hard and made the job easier for pilots and troops.
Among their accomplishments: keeping aircraft flawlessly maintained, keeping aerial refueling operations running smoothly, orchestrating the schedules and movements of dozens of air crews, and helping pave the way for ground troops.
Each honoree was courageous, one colleague said.
"I don't think too many people understand the level of sacrifice that took place over there the past year and a half," said Lt. Gen. John Baker, vice commander of Air Mobility Command, who was on hand to present the medals.
"You should be proud of who you are and what you do. This country would not be where it is today without what you do."
About 150 fellow service members, most dressed in camouflage fatigues, stood at attention as the four honorees received their medals. After each one, they let out shouts and applause.
Washington struggled for words. He had returned from a vacation Wednesday, only to learn he would receive the medal that day.
"It still really hasn't hit me," he said. "I'm completely flustered."
Voigt felt much the same, though she had a bit more advance notice.
"It was really a surprise and an honor," she said. "The whole time we were over there, we were just trying to get the missions done."
All four were quick to spread the credit to others.
"This award certainly isn't a solo award," Thompson said. "Winning an award like this, you can't do alone."
