Special Agent Maziarz awarded Bronze Star Published Dec. 18, 2014 By John Parker Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- An Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander was awarded the Bronze Star on Dec. 8 for combat and leadership actions that included halting rocket and mortar attacks against Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for four months. Special Agent Michael J. Maziarz, commander of Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 114 at Tinker AFB, was awarded the medal in a Tinker Club ceremony attended by his family, base leaders and dignitaries from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Special Agent Maziarz's former commander, Col. Christopher Holton, commander of the Air Force Special Investigations First Field Investigations Region at Wright- Patterson, praised Agent Maziarz for his meritorious service as OSI operations officer at AFOSI Expeditionary Detachment 2413 at Kandahar from Dec. 5, 2013, to May 5. Agent Maziarz led planning, support and combat actions outside the airfield for Task Force Black, charged with protecting airfield personnel and aircraft. Colonel Holton said the unit was so effective at eliminating hostile threats that special forces units and other base defenders wanted to know their tactics. "This small unit had such a dramatic impact that one company was outperforming the entire brigade," the colonel said. He added, "What they've done over a period of time is they made a name for themselves." The presidential citation said Agent Maziarz "skillfully managed the dynamic targeting process for the unit, receiving more than 15 authorizations to engage high-value targets within the Regional Command South area of operations who were actively attempting to attack Kandahar Airfield through indirect fire and complex, high-profile attacks." Specific actions in the citation included: · He personally planned, coordinated and led a 75-person combined joint ground assault force, resulting in the capture and long-term detention of two high-value Taliban commanders actively planning to attack friendly forces. · Agent Maziarz's efforts led to the capture of 10 high-value named objectives and eight enemy combatants killed in action, resulting in the total mitigation of indirect fire attacks against Kandahar Airfield for 120 consecutive days, the longest span in the history of the airfield, the citation said. · He individually spearheaded a critical initiative to establish a nationally validated requirement for active signals intelligence, full-motion video and kinetic engagement support dedicated solely to Expeditionary Detachment 2413 operations, a first in Air Force Office of Special investigations history. · Agent Maziarz's expertly planned and executed multiple detainee operations integrating U.S. Army units, Coalition Forces special operations units, Afghan national security forces, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and close air support assets. "I'm truly humbled to be standing here today," Agent Maziarz said at the ceremony. "This medal represents more than just me. It represents the sacrifice, hard work and relentlessness of the men and women of Task Force Black and their families. Looking back, I'm overwhelmed at how incredible those men and women were and still are." He praised task force members for silencing daily rocket attacks in "the place where the Taliban was born." "It was magnificent how we showed our fellow Airmen that we could protect ourselves and our airfields and do it better than anybody else," the agent said. "It was magnificent that we walked in darkness, faced the enemy and returned home to our loved ones. "To say that I am proud to have been a member of that unit is an understatement," he added. Agent Maziarz thanked his wife, Emily Masnica, his parents, Joseph and Kathy Maziarz, and extended family in attendance. Also attending were Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Demalis, superintendent, AFOSI 1st Field Investigations Region, Wright-Patterson; Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, commander, Air Force Sustainment Center; Col. Christopher Azzano, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander; and Col. Jay Bickley, commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing. The Bronze Star is awarded for service not involving flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force. It is one of four medals awarded for heroism.