Delaware Air National Guard colonel receives Bronze Star Medal for duty performed in Afghanistan

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WILMINGTON, Delaware --  U.S. Air Force Colonel Carol A. Timmons, Director of Joint Forces, Delaware National Guard, was presented with the Bronze Star Medal on Saturday, Feb. 5, by Maj. Gen. Francis Vavala, Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard, during a ceremony inside Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware National Guard at First Regiment Road in Wilmington. About 100 troops from the Delaware Army and Air National Guard attended the ceremony. Colonel Timmons is a resident of Rehoboth Beach, Del.

Colonel Timmons received the medal after distinguishing herself by meritorious achievement while the deputy commander, 455th Expeditionary Operations Group, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, from May 3 to Sept. 3, 2008 and while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force near Bagram Airfield. During this period she directed the activity of nine squadrons and more than 700 Airmen to provide close air support, electronic attack, combat search and rescue, combat airlift and airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation throughout Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, orchestrating multiple weapons systems to include F-15s, A-10s, C-130s, HH-60s and EA-6 Prowlers.

"Dedication to the Delaware Air National Guard flying mission and leadership of multiple combat units while deployed overseas are two hallmarks of Col. Timmons' service. Her selection as a Bronze Star Medal recipient for meritorious performance during her 2008 deployment to Afghanistan is recognition of Col Timmons' high quality of airmanship and support for her fellow wingmen," said Maj. Gen. Francis Vavala, Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard. "She is a true Delaware National Guard, and Delaware, icon. I can't think of many who represent the organization as well as she does."

Colonel Timmons has 34 years of military service, joining the Delaware Air National Guard in February 1977 after graduating from William Penn H.S. in New Castle, Del. She then served in the Delaware Army National Guard and in the Air Force Reserve before returning to the Delaware ANG. As a military pilot she has over 5,000 flying hours in the C-130E, C-130H2, C-141B, T-37, T-38, TH-55, and UH-1H. She has held various positions of increasing responsibility in the Delaware National Guard, and is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. She has completed over 20 months of deployments in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, including aircrew and staff positions.

Colonel Timmons' civilian occupation is First Officer for United Airlines flying Boeing 767/757 commercial passenger aircraft with over 8,000 hours of total flying time. She is a member of the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame, 2004, and the Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame, 2007.

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