SSgt James Sparks, a 22 STS combat controller, was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for his actions during a 2012 deployment to Afghanistan. 

Attached to an Army special forces team, he was able to integrate airpower into 26 combat missions where he controlled 142 different aircraft maintaining fire superiority. 

His actions resulted in the neutralization of five key leaders, 14 enemy killed in action and three captured.