17th Contracting Commander awarded Bronze Star Medal Published Dec. 17, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Erica Rodriguez 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Maj. Seth Hamilton, 17th Contracting Squadron Commander, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal here, Dec. 13, for his meritorious achievements while serving in Afghanistan, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. During his deployment in Afghanistan, Hamilton served as Chief of Contracting from February 2012 until August 2012. He lead a joint team of 20 contracting professionals, completing more than 700 contract actions, valued at over 100 million dollars supporting the Regional Command East mission. The results of his leadership included reducing the flow of illegal weapons and money to insurgents and supporting the Afghanistan government. Hamilton's leadership also helped provide better economic stability to the eastern Afghanistan region. "The more contracting we did with local vendors, the more money we were able to pump back into the local economy which enhanced the winning of the hearts and minds of the locals that were in that area because they could then support their families," Hamilton said. Hamilton also oversaw the awarding and solicitation of over 15 contracts for Armed Security Guard services valued at 37 million dollars which as a result employed more than 1,700 Afghans, increased force protection, and allowed military members to go outside the wire and effectively perform combat missions. Hamilton's exceptional leadership and devotion to the mission has earned him the Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest combat decoration. "I'm definitely proud of my time serving in Afghanistan," Hamilton said. "I feel like I'm a witness to some of the great things we got to accomplish out there."
