Sgt. Erica McRell awarded Bronze Star for heroism

Dyess honors 'two warriors' with medals for Afghanistan service
Reporter News
By Christopher Collins
Posted January 24, 2014

PHOTO BY Joy Lewis/Reporter-News
Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing Commander, Sgt. Erica McRell, and her service dog, Jonny, begin the ceremony to honor McRell with a Bronze Star on Friday at Dyess Air Force Base.

For U.S. military personnel serving in Afghanistan, danger can loom around every corner.

That became abundantly clear to Sgts. Erica McRell and Rafael Rhodes, two Dyess Air Force Base personnel who were awarded medals at a Friday event at the base for their bravery in the line of duty.

“We’re going to honor two warriors,” said Brig. Gen. Glen VanHerck, 7th Bomb Wing commander.

McRell was awarded with the Bronze Star for leading a team of embedded Army Special Forces members through hostile Afghan territory in search of buried improvised explosive devices.

“She was living out in the countryside, sleeping in tents every night, taking care of business,” VanHerck said. “She’s getting the Bronze Star for heroism.”

While leading the team, McRell and her canine partner, Jonny, located more than 50 IEDs. U.S. troops and Afghan civilians are often targets of these devices.

“She saved many, many lives,” VanHerck said. “We appreciate your service.”

Rhodes was also honored after his encounter with an IED — but in his case, the bomb exploded underneath the military vehicle he was traveling in as part of a convoy. After the bomb exploded, Rhodes and other members of the convoy came under enemy fire.
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