Col. Lee DePalo, 563rd Rescue Group commander, presents the Bronze Star Medal to Maj. Patrick O’Rourke during a commander’s call at the Officers’ Club here July 25. Major O’Rourke was awarded the Bronze Star for his meritorious service as a combat rescue officer while deployed to Afghanistan from May 5, 2006 to May 7, 2007. During this period, while exposed to extreme danger from hostile machine gun fire and rocket attacks, Major O’Rourke courageously led his team of four pararescuemen during recovery operations of a crashed CH-47 helicopter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alesia Goosic)