Nellis captain wins Bronze Star for his actions in Afghanistan

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Sept. 19, 2002 | 9:40 a.m.

An Air Force special tactics operator now assigned to Nellis Air Force Base is the fifth person at the base in recent weeks to be awarded the Bronze Star for action in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Capt. John Traxler, now assigned as the 6th Combat Training Squadron operations flight commander at Nellis, deployed to Afghanistan in early November 2001. He was cited for his work in facilitating effective fires in support of ground forces throughout Afghanistan.

In August three officers and a noncommissioned officer at the base received Bronze Stars for other action in the war on terrorism.

According to base officials, Traxler, traveling on patrol with ground forces, planned, coordinated and executed fire support duties in the delivery of more than 700,000 pounds of explosives -- destroying enemy tunnels, facilities, vehicles and troops.

Youngest at Afghan air base

A Las Vegas soldier has been pointed out by Army officials as the youngest soldier presently serving at Bagram air base in Afghanistan. The Fayetteville Observer Online, Fayetteville, N.C., recently reported on Army Pvt. Eddie Roberts, who turned 18 on Tuesday.

According to the Observer story, when Roberts is not on patrol in the mountains he pitches in on a variety of details around the base including keeping a field kitchen at the base supplied with fresh water. The Las Vegas soldier is happiest though, when he is marching the steep hills around the base in search of the enemy, the Observer reported.

Roberts, who attended Las Vegas High School, is the son of Dan and Carla Cote of Las Vegas. A former Junior ROTC cadet at Las Vegas, he joined the Army on Sept. 24, applied for parachute training and is now a member of the 82nd Airborne Division home based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

In brief

During the eight weeks of training, Velasquez and Burciaga received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions.

During the six weeks of training, Wheeler and Williams studied the Air Force mission, organization, and customs; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training and special training in human relations.