Kirtland officer awarded Bronze Star

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (KRQE) - A Bronze Star was awarded today to an officer at Kirtland Air Force Base for his accomplishments during his deployment to Afghanistan.

Maj. Johnathan Zulauf supervised about a dozen airmen and led day-to-day operations of the largest air expeditionary squadron in Afghanistan.

"It's a humbling experience; it absolutely is," Zulauf said. "The amazing things the airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines do each and every day in Afghanistan is a true testament of partnership, leadership, throughout all the services, so this small representation is humbling, definitely."

Zulauf planned and executed more than 150 combat patrols in Kabul. At one point his convoy was even held at gunpoint by militants.

Zulauf also said it was really his family that made the sacrifice while he was away on deployment.