Two Reservists receive Bronze Star Published Dec. 1, 2005 By Sandra Pishner 446th Airlift Wing McChord Air Force Base, Wash. -- An officer and a NCO, both in the Air Force Reserve, were awarded the Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony Nov. 6., with Maj. Gen. Robert Duignan, 4th Air Force commander, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., giving the award presentations. Maj. Roger Law and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Belletti both earned their awards while serving at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Major Law is a Reservist formerly assigned to the 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. He has since transferred to the 349th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Travis AFB, Calif. Major Law earned his award while assigned to the Global Mobility Task Force in Balad from April 19 to Aug. 18, 2004. While serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Major Law was the lead maintenance officer for Air Mobility Command. According to his medal citation, Major Law's execution of logistics management and combat leadership were the driving forces that helped generate more than 4,000 airlift missions using 12 different aircraft types, sustaining an unprecedented 99.2 percent on time departure rate. These airlift missions moved more than 72,600 short tons of cargo and 48,300 passengers. Additionally, Major Law directed the launch and recovery of 28 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft off-loading M-1 Abrams tanks for Army units fighting insurgents in Fallujah, Iraq. Chief Master Sgt. Robert Belletti, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 446th Airlift Wing, also earned his Bronze Star Medal while assigned to the Global Mobility Task Force in Balad from July 9 to Oct. 10, 2004. According to the citation accompanying his medal, Chief Belletti, while exposed to extreme danger from hostile rocket and mortar attacks, led more than 45 aircraft maintenance Airmen in support of strategic and tactical combat airlift crucial to coalition forces. The Bronze Star is an award Chief Belletti never thought he'd be put in for during his career. "As a kid, I always considered the Bronze Star as something you earn for valor in combat, for having done something extraordinary like you see in war movies," said Chief Belletti. "But, the Bronze Star is for outstanding achievement, and not necessarily for John Wayne war hero type actions." In his case, the Chief's "higher level" of service was key to keeping airlift moving, despite hostilities. During an F-16 aircraft in-flight emergency, Chief Belletti coordinated the quick departure of three airlift aircraft, clearing the airfield to allow the F-16 land safely. His actions allowed for critical airlift missions to proceed, and avoiding prolonged ground time that would have subjected the aircraft to possible insurgent rocket and mortar attacks. Insurgent rocket and mortar attacks were more than just possibilities in Balad. On the wall of Chief Belletti's office here is a certificate attesting to that fact - "I survived 100 attacks," reads the certificate. "I think it was more than like 125 for Major Law when he was over there," said the Chief. Despite the incoming attacks, the 32-year military veteran sees his tour of duty Iraq as the highlight of his career. "Over there, you're on the edge of the spear. You get to see the end result of your work. You know that the maintenance you do on the aircraft allows that mission to fly and that cargo to get delivered where it needs to be," said Chief Belletti. In addition to his aircraft maintenance responsibilities, Chief Belletti volunteered at the 332nd Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility, visiting, caring for, and transporting to aircraft for medical evacuation more than 120 wounded Soldiers and Marines.