Seabee Base Airmen awarded Bronze Stars

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Curtis Jennings
  • 366th Training Squadron Detachment 6
NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION, MISS --  Two Airmen assigned to Naval Construction Training Center-Gulfport were awarded Bronze Stars March 30 for actions while deployed to Afghanistan. 

Tech. Sgts. Timothy Bayes and Wendell Snider work as structures instructors at NCTC, teaching apprentice level vertical construction methods in the Air Force- unique portion of the Army, Navy and Air Force combined training institution. 

The Air Force unique portion hones the member's skills in the sheet metal fabrication and welding portions of the required training. Sergeant Bayes also instructs the roof, installation, maintenance, inspection and repair advance level course. 

Both instructors were deployed in 2008 for 365-day mission assignments to two different locations in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Sergeant Bayes was recognized for exceptionally meritorious service as Superintendent, S-5 Engineer for the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team. 

Sergeant Bayes provided engineering expertise to more than 50 projects valued in excess of $250 million that provided security, governance and employment opportunities to 473,000 Afghan people. 

Sergeant Bayes mentored the Afghan locals in areas of design, construction phasing and contract review, and anti-corruption practices leading to the development of a critically needed quality control program. His efforts heightened relationships between provincial government engineers and construction contractors, and verified masonry contractors capabilities for 100 percent construction improvements. 

He also participated in more than 140 ground assault convoy missions through the most intense improvised explosive device areas covering 3,800 square kilometers of battle space in Afghanistan. 

Sergeant Snider served as noncommissioned officer in charge of PRT Gardez; Combined Task Force 82, Inter-national Security Assistance Force. 

Sergeant Snider led the $120,000 security system enhancement project for the governor's compound, improving safety and security for the Paktya governor and numerous district leaders that worked inside the compound. 

Sergeant Snider supervised and ensured quality construction of a 19,000-square-foot $1.3 million Center of Education Excellence in Gardez; the first of its kind in the city. The center is intended to positively influence more than 200 children each year in an effort to mitigate Taliban and Al-Qaida dominance in the city of Paktya. Currently, hundreds of children migrate to Pakistan to fulfill their educational needs. 

He also conducted 130 civil engineer quality assurance and site survey missions spanning 55 convoys that ensured precise scopes, accurate estimates and $13.3 million dollars worth of quality construction in central and western Paktya.