The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Major Eric W. Blair, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving with the 4th Battalion, 3d Brigade, Border Transition Team, 2d Region Border Transition Team, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, from 30 March 2006 to 30 March 2007. Major Blair’s outstanding deduction to duty during combat operations in Iraq as a Border Transition Team Operations Officer contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Iraq Assistance Group, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, and the United States Army.
NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
Major Eric Blair distinguished himself through his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of service to the United States Army as a battalion Border Transition Team (BTT) Operations Officer and Advisor, while stationed at Forward Operating Base NIMUR in Sinjar, Iraq, from 30 March 2006 to 30 March 2007, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM V. Major Blair served as the Operations Officer for his U.S. soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion BTT and served as the operations and maneuver advisor to his 4th Battalion Department of Border Enforcement (DBE) Iraqi counterparts in Ninewa Province along the Iraqi/Syrian border for OIF V. Major Blair’s close relationship with his Iraqi counterparts resulted in their mastery of the Troop Leading Procedures, the OPORD process, and the key components of the MDMP. Major Blair taught his Iraqi counterparts the purpose of Mission Essential Task Lists and jointly evaluated the Iraqi’s performance of each of those tasks, thus ensuring the submission of the most accurate possible data for the crucial, monthly Transition Readiness Assessments. Major Blair’s insistence on his U.S. Soldiers’ possessing clearly defined objectives for every border visit greatly speeded the positive effects that his team had on the Iraqi Battalion’s combat readiness. His efforts focused his team’s efforts and thus greatly facilitated the Iraqi Battalion’s advancement on the TRA and their becoming capable of sustained, independent border security operations. Major Blair willingly put his combat arms skills to use by personally participating in numerous live combat patrols with dismounted Iraqi border patrolmen. His participation ensured the safety of those men and enabled him to provide valuable feedback to the Iraqi commander on the combat readiness of his Iraqi soldiers. Major Blair served as the second in command of the 4th Battalion BTT and also served in the dangerous and challenging position of lead vehicle commander and primary navigator for all combat convoys. His confident guidance and accurate reporting of an IED attack against his team in Mosul, Iraq, demonstrated Major Blair’s superior combat leadership. His efforts prevented undue injuries or deaths to his teammates. Major Blair’s punctual, comprehensive situation reports to his U.S. brigade team leader as well as his close coordination with his brigade level operations cell counterpart were testament to his diligence and devotion to team work. Major Blair is an outstanding combat leader who has done superb work in the harsh conditions of this Iraq War.