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4 airmen receive Sijan award

Four airmen, three in ground combat roles, are the recipients of the 2008 Lance P. Sijan Award for leadership.

First given in 1981, the award is named for the first Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor.

Sijan was shot down over Vietnam in 1967, evading capture for 45 days despite severe injuries. He later died in a prisoner-of-war camp and was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism.

The Air Force announced this year’s honorees June 29. They are:

* Junior enlisted: Tech. Sgt. Scott Woodring, joint terminal attack controller, 17th Air Support Operations Squadron, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.

Woodring spent 150 days deployed as a member of a special operations task force and volunteered to stay another 90 days because of personnel shortages. One month into the extended stay, Woodring was critically wounded but still called in close-air support strikes.

“Whether deployed or at home, Woodring endeavored to mentor and challenge over 60 Army, Navy and Air Force personnel ...” his citation said.

Today, Woodring works out of Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

* Senior enlisted: Senior Master Sgt. Michael Bobbitt, squadron enlisted leader, Air Force District of Washington, Washington, D.C.

Bobbitt was cited for his leadership of 101 airmen in 34 career fields. He also served as president of a Top Three group and a chapter of the Air Force Sergeants’ Association.

Bobbitt is assigned to Yokota Air Base, Japan.

* Junior officer: Capt. Thomas Eckel, explosive ordnance disposal instructor, Detachment 3,366th Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

Eckel earned praise for a deployment to Afghanistan, where he led an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team that disarmed 96 improvised explosives. At Sheppard, he oversaw two EOD training units with a staff of 52. He also helped raise $138,000 for an EOD memorial.

Eckel is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

* Senior officer: Maj. James Hughes Jr., director of operations, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Hunter was recognized for his five months as the squadron’s acting commander, supporting his airmen who served 16,060 combat days and developing the unit’s budget as it prepared to add 30 positions.

Hughes is assigned to Bolling Air Force Base, Washington. D.C.

Lance P. Sijan’s entry in the Military Times Hall of Valor