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AFDW Airman earns AF-level EOD award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chyenne A. Adams
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
Air Force District of Washington --  Air Force officials have recognized the outstanding performance and exemplary service of an Air Force District of Washington civil engineer staff action officer.

Senior Master Sgt. Mark J. Thrower, explosive ordnance functional manager assigned to AFDW Logistics, Installations and Mission Support (A4/7), was awarded the Maj. Gen. William D. Gilbert Award in the enlisted category. The award is based on significant accomplishments, mission impact, resourcefulness, initiative, teamwork, and quality of work.

"We are incredibly proud of Senior Master Sergeant Thrower and the outstanding contributions he makes to AFDW," said Col. Peter Sartori, A4/7 director. "Sergeant Thrower was just awarded his second Bronze Star at the last AFDW commander's call for his exceptional bravery; this award distinguishes his tremendous accomplishments year round."

Some of Sergeant Thrower's accomplishments include leading a team of 33 EOD technicians with a 100 percent success rate and zero casualties during a six-month deployment to Afghanistan. He coordinated responses to IEDs threatening more than 4,000 Operation Enduring Freedom service members from the United States, Afghanistan, Romania, Australia, and Lithuania; while planning EOD support to 18 major operations and 298 missions - destroying 331 IEDs.

At his home station here at Joint Base Andrews, he facilitated the return for four EOD Airmen wounded in action, ensuring they had a family liaison officer assigned to assist them and their families. He was also responsible for oversight to the team of emergency responders protecting 95,000 personnel and aircraft valued at more than $1 billion.