Special Agent receives Bronze Star for saving Airman’s life Published March 10, 2014 By AFOSI Public Affairs Air Force Office of Special Investigations QUANTICO, Va. -- Special Agent Nicolo Solarino, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment. 217, received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, at a ceremony held at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., Nov. 26., for heroic actions taken while under enemy attack during a deployment in 2004. At the time, Solarino was a Senior Airman assigned to the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in Southwest Asia "When I was growing up, I knew I wanted to do one of two things: join the military or become a cop," Solarino said. "Security Forces afforded me the opportunity to have both sides of the coin." On Sept. 11, 2004, he was performing customs inspections on personnel and equipment when his post came under attack. A 107 millimeter rocket detonated nearby and he was thrown approximately 10 feet. Once he recovered, he assessed his surroundings and noticed a fellow Airman down and suffering from life-threatening injuries. "I could see the fear in Nic [Solarino's] eyes and I know he could see it in mine," said Senior Airman Brian Koflage (Ret.), wounded warrior. "I was laying there, legs and hand gone, but I was still conscious. I just remember Nic [Solarino] telling me that everything was going to be okay while he worked to save my life." While still under enemy fire, Solarino made his way back to his tent and retrieved SABC supplies, personal protective equipment and Koflage's identification. Once Solarino returned, he and another Airman continued to perform emergency medical care on Koflage, all while using their bodies to shield him from subsequent rocket attacks.