From Leut Greg Keeley
in Washington
An Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Maj Steve Jobson, has been awarded the US Bronze Star for meritorious service, while participating in an exchange with a US Army unit in Afghanistan.

In a ceremony held at the Embassy of Australia to announce the award, Maj Jobson was congratulated by Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Thawley, and the Head of Australian Defence Staff, Maj-Gen Simon Willis.

Maj Jobson has just completed a two-year reciprocal exchange with the United States 82nd Airborne Division, which included six months service as a pilot in Bosnia-Herzegovina and a six month tour in Afghanistan as an Assistant Operations Officer on an aviation task force headquarters.

“It’s been great working with a unit full of highly motivated, professional soldiers and officers,” he said

“I’ve learned how to put a whole lot of moving pieces together into one plan and put that plan into motion, as part of a large, complex operation. I felt very proud to be an Australian serving over there.”

Maj Jobson was presented the Bronze Star in country by Maj-Gen John R. Vines, the Commanding General of the international coalition against terrorism in Afghanistan in a ceremony at Bagram Air Field, the main Coalition base in Afghanistan.

He is the second Australian awarded the Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan, following the award in July to the former CO SF Task Group Lt-Col Rowan Tink.

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