GFAFB Airman receives Bronze Star Published Dec. 18, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Anastasia Wasem 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A facility inspection technician from the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron was recently awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan. Tech. Sgt. David L. Cheney was presented the award by Col. Don Shaffer, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander, at a ceremony Dec. 17. The Bronze Star is awarded for heroism or for meritorious achievement in ground combat. Sergeant Cheney earned this award for a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team. "After spending over 15 years in the Air Force, it was very satisfying to be a major player in such an important mission," he said. During his deployment, Sergeant Cheney and the PRT were responsible for more than 120 construction and humanitarian projects valued at more than $108 million. He was one of three members of the engineering section of the PRT. "I did not volunteer because I was hunting a medal; it was because I wanted to help build schools for the children so they could be better educated," said Sergeant Cheney. "When you see children attending a school that you helped build, it is all worth it." Tech. Sgt. Cheney is also being awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Force Combat Action Medal and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization International Security Assistance Force Medal.