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Airman receives Combat Action Badge, prepares for new challenge with Army

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt Brannen Parrish
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --   A 931st Security Forces Squadron Airman received the Combat Action Badge, May 5, for his actions following the explosion of a roadside bomb in Iraq.

The combat action badge may be awarded to any military servicemember who was present, actively engaging or being engaged by enemy forces and satisfactorily performs in accordance with the approved rules of engagement.

In 2008, Tech. Sgt. Gregory Podobensky was deployed to Iraq and served with the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, a subordinate unit to the Army's 42nd Military Police Brigade.

His squad was responsible for conducting patrols and clearance sweeps to make sure the roadways were safe for travel by Afghan civilians and military convoys.

"Driving down those roads for 10, 12 or 14 hours a day, you really have to have attention to detail," said Podobensky. "After a few months you start to memorize the area you are patrolling, so you start to notice anything that's out of the ordinary, whether it's a soda can standing upright in the middle of the road or a patch of dirt that's darker than the surrounding area."

On Jan. 5, 2008, Podobensky's squad was performing a sweep of a roadway when they spotted an anomaly near the road. As the squad began inspecting the device to determine whether it was an explosively formed projectile, it detonated sending shrapnel toward the squad and causing minor damage to a vehicle.

Podobensky, who was about 20 meters away, responded immediately. He established a cordon and began searching for the culprit who had detonated the device.
Lacking the fortitude to stay and fight, the insurgents ran away. Podobensky and the squad secured a landing zone for a British explosive ordnance disposal team in-bound via helicopter.

"No one was hurt and there was minimal damage to our vehicle," said Podobensky. "I was glad to get out of there unharmed."

Podobensky was recently accepted into the Army's Interservice Physician Assistant program. The 30-month program includes members from all services.

"I've always had an interest in math, science and medicine," he said. "I'm sad to say goodbye to the Air Force, but I'm excited about the new opportunity to take care of servicemembers and their families."

The June unit training assembly will mark Podobensky's final days with the 931st Air Refueling Group.

Lt. Col. Edward Hunn, commander, 931st SFS said the unit will miss Podobensky.

"Tech. Sgt. Podobensky is an outstanding NCO and Security Forces member," Hunn said. "We hate to see him go but we are very proud of him and wish him well in his service for the Department of the Army."

Although he will serve his country in a different branch of the military, Podobensky said he is proud that he earned the decoration during his Air Force career.

"Every time I put on that Army uniform, it will be a reminder to me, something that I will know, I earned while serving in the Air Force," he said. "I'm sad to leave but I'm also excited about starting a new career that allows me to take care of servicemembers and their families."

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