ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Kahill, 227th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), received a Bronze Star Medal at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base, New Jersey, May 4, 2025.
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to United States service members who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone.
“Staff Sergeant Kahill’s leadership, dedication, and professionalism exemplify Army and Air Force core values, and his actions reflect great credit upon himself,” said Master Sgt. William Reed, 177th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant.
Kahill was deployed as a JTAC to CENTCOM, from 30 March 2024 to 15 Nov. 2024. He was one of two New Jersey Air National Guard JTAC’s to be deployed during this timeframe and this was his first deployment.
His meritorious service helped to complete approximately 30 airdrops over a landing zone, with zero incidents, provided supplies and lifesaving blood, and fortified the landing zone’s capabilities. He provided more than 50 hours of JTAC support for multiple repatriation missions, allowing more than 5,000 displaced persons and approximately 2,000 family units to be repatriated to their home country.
He ensured the airspace was clear by reacting quickly to more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles launched from Iran. Within his first two weeks of arriving, he requested close air support and ensured that a vehicle that was firing rockets at the landing zone was taken out swiftly.
Kahill served four years of active duty before transferring over to the 227th ASOS.
“Staff Sgt. Kahill, absolutely awesome dude,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Roske, 227th ASOS commander. “You truly achieved greatness while deployed, extremely proud of you, and thank you to your parents and girlfriend for allowing you to take the deployment.”
The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Casing of the Colors of the 227th ASOS, marking the transition of the 227th to the 108th Wing as the 227th Cyber Operations Squadron. With the 227th ASOS closing, Kahill will be transferring to another CONUS ASOS unit.
“I was just happy to be able to go over there and accomplish the mission,” said Kahill. “I am glad everyone was able to come home.”