OSI agent receives Bronze Star Medal for supporting operations at Bagram Airfield

  • Published
  • By James C. Dillard
  • OSI Public Affairs
OSI HQ QUANTICO, Va. --  For her support and defense of operations at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan from September 2009 through March 2010, Special Agent Dusty Lee was awarded the Bronze Star Medal August 6.

Lee was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Detachment 2405 during this time period. According to her citation, Lee excelled at setting the blueprint and way ahead for EDet. 2405 for several facets of their mission there, including neutralizing insurgents. She pioneered new threat data collection methods through counterintelligence resources.

She said she was surprised to learn that she would be receiving a Bronze Star.

"I feel honored to have received the Bronze Star," she said. "I did not deploy with the thoughts or intentions of receiving a medal, let alone a Bronze Star. I have to thank my fellow agents at EDet. 2405 and our leadership for their support."

Like so many service members, Lee relied on support from not only her fellow agents, but also from her family back home.

"I have to give thanks to my family for always being there to support me and my career choice," she said. "My husband and I both come from military families; therefore we understand the sacrifices that go along with serving your country. I would like to say a sincere thank you to my husband and son for all their love and support."

Lee also had the opportunity to work with Army Special Forces and the New Zealand Special Air Service.

"Working with the Army Special Forces and the New Zealand Special Air Service was a very educational experience," she said. "The ability to work alongside different organizations that have different roles, but share the same desire to accomplish the mission, was phenomenal."

Because of the efforts of Lee and her fellow agents, the service members stationed at Bagram Airfield were able to work in a safer environment. Her detachment's work led to a reduction of rocket attacks at Bagram Airfield by 67 percent, and that means more Airmen will be coming home to their families.