Special agent earns Bronze Star Published June 13, 2014 By Donovan Jackson 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- A student at Squadron Officer School was awarded the Bronze Star Monday in front of more than 700 of his peers. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent Adam Kurzen received the medal for meritorious achievements while assigned to AFOSI Expeditionary Detachment 2405 in Afghanistan. According to the award citation, while stationed at Bagram Air Field, Kurzen led 23 combat support missions while mitigating risks from improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and various ambush attacks in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Additionally, Kurzen directed the effective utilization of 24 informants while performing 80 meets that generated 250 intelligence information reports. The intelligence gained from the informants helped to identify 189 targets, as well as the location and neutralization of five weapons caches concealing 46 rockets and two IEDs. Ultimately, his efforts helped to capture seven Taliban insurgents. The removal of these threats enhanced the security of more than 40,000 base personnel. The special agent led his team through Operation Steel Trap, which identified a terrorist financing operation involved in the theft of military equipment on Bagram. His leadership led to the termination of the company's contract, the ejection of 42 workers involved in the theft and the recovery of more than $600,000 in mission critical assets. "The Squadron Officer College's mission is to develop company grade officers as leaders of integrity ready to fly, fight and win in air space and cyberspace," said Maj. Josh Watkins, chief of the commander's action group at SOC. "An important aspect of that leadership is taking the time to recognize people for their accomplishments. Taking the opportunity to present the Bronze Star medal to Special Agent Kurzen in front of 750 of his peers was a great way to demonstrate that." Kurzen said that he was humbled by the honor. "I cannot think of a more humbling experience than to be presented with this award," said Kurzen. "Although it is quite the honor, this ceremony would not exist for me if it were not for the efforts of my team. We were very passionate about the mission we did there, and we were simply fulfilling our duties."