Logistics Airman earns BSM

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Hearing a room called to attention during a commander's call is not uncommon; however, it is unusual to hear the order following a Bronze Star Medal presentation to a staff sergeant.

Staff Sgt. Victor Snyder earned a BSM while deployed to Camp Vance at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, as the non-commissioned officer in charge of fixed wing movements.

While in Afghanistan, a Midlothian, Va., native was part of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan where he served on an 11-man joint force team. Numerous lives depended on his ability to direct intra-theater airlift in support of multi-national special operations forces. Sergeant Snyder's duties included: coordination of air-drops for troops-in-contact, emergency air-land movements for dislocated special forces with exhausted mission critical resources and troop movements for the unit and command leadership elements around Afghanistan.

In addition, the 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman managed several platform and program movements with security of defense visibility, and had significant impact on the Afghan Police Force. He also mitigated manning shortfalls from early departure of personnel in leadership positions and provided guidance, and expertise to junior Soldiers when necessary.

Sergeant Snyder overcame several obstacles to successfully accomplish this mission.

"It was a challenge unlike anything I've ever encountered before," he said. "Everything was constantly changing and the ops tempo was relentless. Even during the few hours I wasn't at work, I still couldn't get work out of my thoughts. I was there, even when I wasn't there. Everything considered, I know I am a stronger Airman because of my experiences with the CJ-SOTF-A."

Overall, Sergeant Snyder said the positive impact his job had on those outside the wire outweighed the challenges of accomplishing the mission.

"(The stress of covering these challenges was randomly mitigated) when we heard whispers of teams that had come under enemy fire or encountered an improvised explosive device and were still able to successfully accomplish the mission without anyone getting hurt, it was calming," Sergeant Snyder said. "Too often, we learned of our Brothers in Arms who got wounded or worse, and you just want to make sure you do everything you can to see that it doesn't happen again."

Army leadership appreciated efforts Sergeant Snyder made to ensure tasks were successfully accomplished.

"I was once asked if I wanted to extend, not knowing that the battalion commander had already called my squadron commander asking to extend me, and my immediate response was, 'If the unit needs me to,'" he said. "I was ready to do whatever was asked of me for the unit, and I learned a lot about the value and importance of having strong and consistent leadership. I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything and I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Unfortunately his homestation commander, Lt. Col. Randall Warring, had to deny the request due to the high volume of logistic planner deployment taskings.

"This (request) is a direct reflection on his chain of command's admiration of his dedication to duty and direct combat mission impact," Colonel Warring said.

When Sergeant Snyder learned he would receive a BSM, he did not know what to think.

"When I found out I was speechless," he said. "When I looked back and reflected on everything I had done and accomplished, I knew what I had done was important, but it was nice to know the deployed unit leadership recognized everything I gave the unit."

Unlike Sergeant Snyder, it was no surprise to Colonel Warring that his Airman received this recognition.

"I was not surprised, Sergeant Snyder has always brought his A-game," the colonel said. "He's been the lead logistics planner for numerous 4th Fighter Wing and Force Support deployments the past couple of years. The FS deployments proj-O's know he's a great planner and does whatever it takes to achieve the mission at hand. Earning the Bronze Star while deployed is above an MSM or DMSM, so for a staff sergeant to earn that level of recognition is a direct reflection of how the CJ-SOTF leadership viewed his contributions to the CJ-SOTF fight."

In addition, to earning a BSM while deployed, Sergeant Snyder also received an Army Achievement Medal.