Defense Meritorious Service Medal: Keesler lineman recognized for service in Afghanistan Published Nov. 5, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Tanya Holditch Keesler News editor KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- Staff Sgt. Stuart Miller, 85th Engineering Installation Squadron, was recently awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his actions while assigned to Headquarters International Security Assistance Force, Kabul, Afghanistan. The DMSM is awarded "to recognize exceptionally meritorious service performance and to honor an individual's accomplishments over a sustained period in a joint environment," according to the Central Command's guidebook. Sergeant Miller served as a lineman in the Signal Support Group from March 2 to Sept. 3, a portion of which he served as the noncommissioned officer in charge, a position normally held by a senior noncommissioned officer, after the line chief was sent home injured. Sergeant Miller was part of a quick reaction communication team that restored communication networks when they were damaged due to insurgent attacks, fires or any other damage-causing incidents at forward operating bases. On one such occasion, his three-member team responded to a Turkish unit in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, that needed their network repaired after a rocket attack left members isolated from NATO communications. "After they got attacked, we got dispatched to the FOB Airborne (Army 101st Airborne forward operating base), but there was no convoy between Wardak and the FOB, so we stayed the night," said Sergeant Miller, whose team often traveled by whatever transportation was available. Just after midnight, insurgents at a nearby Taliban training camp launched five 107mm rockets at the Army base. One of the rockets landed less than 20 meters from Sergeant Miller's position. "The (101st Airborne) camp suffered casualties from a previous attack and were already minimally manned," Sergeant Miller explained. "While the Army was responding to insurgents outside the wire, I grabbed my weapon and gear and went to their command post. The three of us remaining did a sweep searching for casualties and damage." The three then posted at known vulnerable points around the camp's perimeter, which allowed the Army troops to load vehicles without fear or delay so they could carry on their mission, he said. "When the 'all-clear' was given, we took a convoy to Wardak and within six hours they had communications," he said. They then went back to the 101st Airborne camp, again awaiting transportation back to their home base HQ ISAF. "There were attacks throughout the night, and I volunteered to post at the front gate for extra vigilance," explained Sergeant Miller. "The next morning, the insurgents came into the black zone, which is an area where movement isn't allowed by anyone." They monitored vehicle movement, alerted the command post and relayed information about whether or not attacks were ordered, based on the intelligence they received, he said. In addition to these events, Sergeant Miller also served as an assistant convoy commander while transporting equipment vital to the mission. He deployed to six forward operating bases completing more than 180 communication network repair and installation projects. He said one of the most difficult things he faced while deployed was climbing towers to do repair work. "You are a prime target and you never know who is looking at you," he said.