24th SOW Special Operations Surgical Team receives Bronze Star Medals Published April 17, 2024 By Capt. Savannah Stephens 24th Special Operations Wing BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- From Aug. 19, 2021 to Sept. 1, 2021, a six-member Special Operations Surgical Team, assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, established and maintained vital surgical capabilities in support of the joint task force and coalition forces in Kabul, Afghanistan. The team’s hard work facilitated the critical care air evacuation of 55 patients in 15 hours, the most expeditious casualty evacuation of its size in United States Air Force history. Over two years later on Mar. 9, 2024, a ceremony was held at the University of Alabama - Birmingham hospital to present the six-member team Bronze Star Medals for their heroic actions. U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Psilos, 720th Special Tactics Group commander, presided over the ceremony. “We strip each member of their individuality, train them to work and fight together, and they are able to achieve incredible things like conducting advanced trauma care and life-saving surgery in tents, aircraft, or out in the open,” said Psilos. “To do so day-in and day-out, with little sleep because their brothers and sisters are emboldened to fight harder knowing that if mortally wounded, there’s a SOST standing ready to save them, is an incredible thing.” The U.S. Air Force members who received the Bronze Star Medal are: Lt. Col. Adam Braden, Anesthesiologist Maj. Jesse Payne, Critical Care Nurse and team lead Maj. Omar Rokayak, General Surgeon Maj. Colin King, Emergency Physician Master Sgt. Brandon Blake, Respiratory Care Practitioner and team sergeant Tech. Sgt. Ryan Bygraves, Operating Room Technician “Every single Special Operator standing before you is receiving the same award,” said Psilos, “Not because everyone gets a trophy, but because there is beauty and honor in knowing that each contributed to a valiant and heroic effort that led to life-saving actions and their recognition today.” The citation reads, “During this period, while exposed to extreme danger from a motivated adversary, hostile bombings, sniper fire, and mortar attacks, the member established and maintained vital surgical capabilities in support of the joint task force and coalition forces. His team displayed the highest degree of professionalism, sound judgement, and technical competence while conducting noncombatant evacuation operations and a mass casualty incident. His superb medical skills, combined with his untiring pursuit of excellence, were major factors in the joint task force’s success. His diligent work facilitated the critical care air evacuation of fifty-five patients in fifteen hours, the most expeditious casualty evacuation operation of its size in United States Air Force history. Without a doubt, service members and civilians are alive today because of the expertise and dedication of the member. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by the member in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.” “It is an honor to stand before this team and recognize them in front of their families, peers, and the nation. They have answered the call well,” said Psilos. A SOST is a team of active-duty Air Force medical professionals, including a trauma surgeon, emergency physician, nurse anesthetist, surgical scrub technician, critical-care nurse and a respiratory technician. Members of SOST's train and support Special Operations Forces all over the world but are assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and perform clinical duties at Level-1 Trauma Centers located at University Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nev., and the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala.