Lt. Col. Mark, Maj. Michael, Maj. Charles, Maj. Mike, Capt. Haspard, Capt Gerard, Capt. James and Capt. Jason all received the Distinguished Flying Cross for exceptionally meritorious flight. Lt. Col. Thomas, Lt. Col. John and Lt. Col. Mark received the Bronze Star Medal for superior leadership. (last names are withheld for security reasons).

As part of the task force, the group was charged to fly their MC-130H Combat Talon II and execute long-range, deep-infiltration missions to airdrop desperately needed supplies to U.S. special operations forces and Northern Alliance troops deep inside Afghanistan.

The events during three of these flights earned the members the second highest-flying medal given by the Air Force and Department of Defense, the DFC.

“Flying in Afghanistan was a challenge,” said Mike, then a captain, commenting on the mission he was cited for. “It was dark, and the terrain is very rugged.”

In preparing for launch on three last-minute drop zones, and with ground forces engaging the Taliban, the mission they flew that night wasn’t like a training sortie.

“It was intense; we knew it was a critical mission.  Precision was required and you had to be on time, on target,” said Mike.

American lives depended on it, and the task force members were focused on executing their low-level runs as safely and effectively as possible.

“It was a challenge to find the drop zones under fire, but we try and plan for those things during training,” added Mike.

The crews were concerned prior to the flight, but not too tense during the mission, according to Haspard, a first timer ‘over the fence.’

“When you’re preparing to go, it’s a big unknown.  You never know if the bad guys have moved their anti-aircraft weapons from where you think they might be,” said Haspard.  “Everyone seemed very cool about whole thing, but it’s not until after it’s over you really think about it.

“Fortunately for us, normally no one sees us until we’ve gone by,” he said.

But with extremely small drop zones and under enemy fire, danger is involved.

“Precision re-supply missions were absolutely critical, and accelerated the (successful conclusion of the) war by three months,” said Col. John Mulhuland, JSOTF commander.

While supporting the Operation Enduring Freedom effort, special operators of the 7th Special Operations Squadron and 352nd Operations Support Squadron, planned and flew more than 130 low-level combat airdrops.

They flew more than 1,500 combat hours and delivered nearly two million pounds of supplies to more than 50 drop zones located in every geographic quadrant of Afghanistan, despite nearly 20 direct threat engagements.

During the first mission, which resulted in five of the citations, MC-130H Combat Talon II aircrews were assigned a low-level formation re-supply mission.  They encountered a probable surface-to-air-missile launch and observed directed ground fire during their mission, which was flown at extremely low altitudes.

Maintaining formation to their drop-zone targets, both aircraft were able to deliver thousands of pounds of war fighting material to intended targets located on the front line of combat.

“Anytime it’s your first combat sortie, you get a little nervous.  We would never place ourselves or aircraft in danger if we didn’t have to,” said Haspard.  “In putting ourselves in harms way though, it’s fair to say we saved some lives and ensured that the good guys had what they needed in order to engage the enemy.”

And the nervousness is only enhanced in the dark of night.

“I had flown in there twice before (that night), and it’s a very dark place—even with night vision goggles,” said James.  “We hit three DZ’s that night right along the front, and there was a lot commotion on both sides of the line.”

But remaining calm during stressful situations is what special operations members do best, said Mark.

“The crews did a superb job overcoming obstacles and avoiding threats while delivering precise airdrops.  That’s what makes us in Air Force special operations proud—succeeding on difficult missions,” he said.

“We don’t do it alone, and we’re lucky to be part of an organization of men and women who regularly set us up for success,” Mark added. “I can’t say enough about the fantastic job our aircraft maintainers did supporting us—it was absolutely outstanding.”

-- USAFENS --