Perspective: Earning a Bronze Star, itching to re-deploy

Waiting for Explosive Ordnance Disposal to confirm the scene is safe, Master Sgt. Albert Schneider (front, right), prepares to collect evidence and obtain pictures. The EOD team from Paliwoda, Iraq, and Sergeant Schneider's Weapons Intelligence Team had just arrived at the scene of two improvised explosive devices detonations targeting civilian vehicles on Main Supply Route Tampa

It’s often said the best defense is a good offense. Master Sgt. Al Schneider proved that point by hunting down and neutralizing improvised explosive devices, such that there were no coalition troop casualties in his area of responsibility during his six-month tour in Iraq.

For his efforts, Schneider earned the Bronze Star, presented by Gen. Paul V. Hester, commander of Pacific Air Forces, on April 9.

Schneider, assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Civil Engineer Directorate as the command explosive ordnance disposal superintendent, led a team of one soldier and two airmen in the hunt to destroy IEDs near Forward Operating Base Paliwoda, Iraq.

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