Bronze Star for safety chief Published Jan. 28, 2009 By Airman 1st Class David Salanitri 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Lt. Col. David Poage, 81st Training Wing safety office chief, was awarded the Bronze Star Jan. 21 for his work as commander of Laghman Provincial Recon-struction Team in Afghan-istan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As commander of the PRT from January to November 2008, Colonel Poage provided security, governance and post-conflict reconstruction to the people of the province. While deployed, Colonel Poage helped rebuild more than 50 infrastructures, led over 300 combat support missions in a hostile area and had oversight of 86 troops. The 21-year Air Force veteran has served at Keesler for nearly 2½ years. Among many duties here, his section conducts an over-all accident prevention program for the welfare of every member of the Keesler community. "Getting the Bronze Star is great, but is only the icing on the cake," said Colonel Poage. "I told the troops I was deployed with that awards will be written up and not everyone will receive the Medal of Honor, but we all know what we did here." The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and 9th highest award among U.S. military decorations. The award recognizes single acts of merit and meritorious service accomplished with distinction. Colonel Poage has been deployed around the world, including duty in the United Arab Emirates, Southwest Asia, Israel and Kuwait. Colonel Poage leaves Keesler in February to join the Air and Space Operation Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.