WEBVTT 00:00.390 --> 00:02.501 Good morning ladies and gentlemen , I 00:02.501 --> 00:04.723 am major Joey brewer , the narrator for 00:04.723 --> 00:06.279 today's event . Welcome two 00:06.279 --> 00:08.390 distinguished flying cross ceremony , 00:10.670 --> 00:12.614 officiated by General mike Minihan 00:12.614 --> 00:14.559 Commander , Air mobility command . 00:14.559 --> 00:16.781 Throughout today's ceremony , you'll be 00:16.781 --> 00:18.948 given cues to stand at the appropriate 00:18.948 --> 00:21.114 times . Today's ceremony is considered 00:21.114 --> 00:23.226 an indoor event during the pending of 00:23.226 --> 00:25.448 the medals . Please feel free to gather 00:25.448 --> 00:27.337 around the formation pictures are 00:27.337 --> 00:29.448 encouraged . Military members are not 00:29.448 --> 00:31.503 in the formation are not required to 00:31.503 --> 00:33.614 stand at attention during the reading 00:33.614 --> 00:36.260 of citations as citations are red . 00:36.260 --> 00:38.560 Please hold your applause until the end 00:38.590 --> 00:40.479 as a reminder during the national 00:40.479 --> 00:42.479 anthem , our civilian guests should 00:42.479 --> 00:44.423 place their right hands over their 00:44.423 --> 00:46.900 heart . At this time we we request that 00:46.900 --> 00:49.410 all restricted area line badges be 00:49.410 --> 00:51.632 removed and that all electronic devices 00:51.632 --> 00:53.632 be silenced for the duration of the 00:53.632 --> 00:56.890 ceremony . Thank you ladies and 00:56.890 --> 00:58.723 gentlemen , please stand for the 00:58.723 --> 01:00.612 arrival of the official party and 01:00.612 --> 01:02.557 remain standing for the playing of 01:02.557 --> 01:04.612 musical honors , the presentation of 01:04.612 --> 01:06.612 colors by the Joint base charleston 01:06.612 --> 01:08.834 Honor guard , the playing of the of the 01:08.834 --> 01:10.668 national anthem by the Air Force 01:10.668 --> 01:12.501 Heritage of America Band and the 01:12.501 --> 01:14.668 invocation by chaplain , paul Harris . 02:04.620 --> 02:05.090 Right 02:26.200 --> 02:28.920 go to free 02:29.530 --> 02:30.380 homes , 03:42.170 --> 03:45.480 right shoulder home 03:50.960 --> 03:52.670 concern hearts , 04:14.460 --> 04:18.360 let us pray , creator 04:18.360 --> 04:20.680 and everlasting God for this . And 04:20.680 --> 04:23.500 every day we give you thanks this 04:23.500 --> 04:25.444 morning , Father God , we pause to 04:25.444 --> 04:27.667 honor , give honor where honor is due . 04:27.667 --> 04:29.722 Those members who have distinguished 04:29.722 --> 04:31.778 themselves by single acts of heroism 04:31.778 --> 04:33.778 and extraordinary achievement while 04:33.778 --> 04:36.000 participating in aerial flight . But we 04:36.000 --> 04:38.167 thank you for keeping them safe in the 04:38.167 --> 04:40.790 midst of danger calm in the face of 04:40.800 --> 04:43.570 turmoil and steady while hell was going 04:43.570 --> 04:46.580 on around them . We pray now as we 04:46.580 --> 04:48.747 honor these individuals in this moment 04:48.747 --> 04:51.080 and congratulate them . That we also 04:51.080 --> 04:53.470 thank you for all of those who made 04:53.480 --> 04:55.920 them receiving this high honor possible . 04:55.930 --> 04:58.310 Their fellow airmen . Now Lord in the 04:58.310 --> 05:00.650 same breath that we give you . Thanks 05:00.660 --> 05:02.549 we ask that you would continue to 05:02.549 --> 05:05.010 galvanize our minds , strengthen our 05:05.010 --> 05:08.590 hearts , fortify our resilience for now 05:08.600 --> 05:11.220 and for what is on the horizon . Help 05:11.220 --> 05:13.630 us to develop into multi capable airmen 05:13.640 --> 05:16.370 thinking outside of the box warfighters 05:16.380 --> 05:19.120 and next level thinkers to ensure that 05:19.120 --> 05:21.310 when we are called upon we're able to 05:21.310 --> 05:23.890 generate our courage , aim the pointy 05:23.890 --> 05:27.080 end at the scary place and execute so 05:27.080 --> 05:30.490 that we destroy dominate and when in 05:30.490 --> 05:32.840 your holy name we pray . Amen . 05:34.360 --> 05:34.980 Mhm 05:39.470 --> 05:42.900 Thank you to the Honor guard heritage . 05:42.910 --> 05:44.850 The heritage of America Band and 05:44.850 --> 05:47.120 chaplain Harris please be seated . 05:49.970 --> 05:50.970 Good fun . 05:54.160 --> 05:56.500 At this time we extend a warm welcome 05:56.510 --> 05:58.570 to our distinguished guests . We ask 05:58.570 --> 06:00.514 that you please hold your applause 06:00.514 --> 06:02.626 until all guests have been recognized 06:02.626 --> 06:04.403 our presiding officiant and the 06:04.403 --> 06:06.237 Commander , Air Mobility Command 06:06.237 --> 06:08.126 General Mike Minihan and his wife 06:08.126 --> 06:10.280 Ashley , Chief of Air Force Reserve 06:10.280 --> 06:12.240 Lieutenant General john Healy . 06:12.250 --> 06:14.260 Lieutenant General thomas Sharpie , 06:14.270 --> 06:16.492 United States Air Force retired and his 06:16.492 --> 06:19.100 wife Lori . Director of strategic plans 06:19.100 --> 06:20.989 programs and requirements . Major 06:20.989 --> 06:23.570 General Richard Kimble , honorable 06:23.570 --> 06:25.237 thomas carter , United States 06:25.237 --> 06:27.490 Ambassador retired and his wife erin 06:27.490 --> 06:29.670 Space forces . Civic leader MS mary 06:29.670 --> 06:32.130 Graham Command Chief Air mobility 06:32.130 --> 06:34.290 Command Chief Master Sergeant , brian 06:34.290 --> 06:36.068 cruiser Nick and his wife Karen 06:36.550 --> 06:38.910 Commander 4 3/7 Airlift Wing Colonel 06:38.910 --> 06:41.188 bobby Langford and his wife , Adrienne , 06:41.510 --> 06:44.040 Command Chief 4 37th Airlift Wing Chief 06:44.040 --> 06:46.262 Master Sergeant Ron Howard and his wife 06:46.262 --> 06:49.090 Ashley Commander 6 28 . Air Base Wing 06:49.090 --> 06:51.146 Colonel Michael Freeman , His wife , 06:51.146 --> 06:53.400 Sarah Command Chief six 28th Air Base 06:53.400 --> 06:55.344 Wing Chief Master Sergeant Rebecca 06:55.344 --> 06:57.122 Bateman and her husband , Jason 06:57.122 --> 06:59.122 Commander 3/15 Airlift Wing Colonel 06:59.122 --> 07:01.680 john Robinson and his wife Alison Vice 07:01.680 --> 07:03.513 Commander four 37th Airlift Wing 07:03.513 --> 07:05.624 Colonel David Taylor . His wife Amy , 07:05.990 --> 07:07.657 Deputy Commander , Joint Base 07:07.657 --> 07:09.768 charleston Commanding Officer , Naval 07:09.768 --> 07:11.768 Support activity charleston Captain 07:11.768 --> 07:14.330 Andrew Peterson , his wife Rayon , Air 07:14.330 --> 07:16.552 Mobility Command Civic Leader Mr George 07:16.552 --> 07:18.610 Ramsay , Air mobility Command Civic 07:18.610 --> 07:21.360 Leader , Mr Mark Bell . We also extend 07:21.360 --> 07:23.471 a special welcome to all of our award 07:23.471 --> 07:25.582 recipients , their family members and 07:25.582 --> 07:27.760 friends . Finally , we welcome all of 07:27.760 --> 07:29.816 our senior leaders from across joint 07:29.816 --> 07:32.038 base as well as our local civic leaders 07:32.038 --> 07:33.871 and honorary commanders from the 07:33.871 --> 07:33.870 charleston community 07:45.680 --> 07:47.736 Today . General Minihan will present 07:47.736 --> 07:49.958 distinguished Flying Cross to 36 of our 07:49.958 --> 07:52.430 Joint base charleston members . 57 . 07:52.430 --> 07:54.597 Joint base charleston members received 07:54.597 --> 07:56.486 recognition for their heroism and 07:56.486 --> 07:58.597 exceptionally meritorious service and 07:58.597 --> 08:00.541 achievement performed under combat 08:00.541 --> 08:02.597 conditions . Several recipients were 08:02.597 --> 08:04.541 unable to attend today and will be 08:04.541 --> 08:06.630 recognized at a later date . Today's 08:06.630 --> 08:08.797 Distinguished flying cross ceremony is 08:08.797 --> 08:10.963 the largest distinguished flying cross 08:10.963 --> 08:12.908 ceremony in decades . These airmen 08:12.908 --> 08:15.019 represent more than half of the total 08:15.019 --> 08:17.074 distinguished flying crosses awarded 08:17.074 --> 08:19.130 during Operation Allies . Refuge the 08:19.130 --> 08:21.241 formation in front of you consists of 08:21.241 --> 08:22.908 women and men who were put in 08:22.908 --> 08:25.074 extraordinary situations during the US 08:25.074 --> 08:27.297 withdrawal from Afghanistan and bravely 08:27.297 --> 08:29.519 accomplished the difficult mission from 08:29.519 --> 08:31.741 the chaotic overruns of the airfield in 08:31.741 --> 08:33.963 Kabul to terrorist bombing and navigate 08:33.963 --> 08:36.241 until the final departure of all U . S . 08:36.241 --> 08:38.740 Forces . On 30 august 2021 these men 08:38.740 --> 08:41.730 and women , officer and enlisted Active 08:41.730 --> 08:45.610 Duty Guard and reserve pilots , load 08:45.610 --> 08:48.110 Masters , Flight Nurse and Flying 08:48.110 --> 08:50.880 maintenance crew chiefs heroically flew 08:50.880 --> 08:52.824 in and out of Afghanistan , saving 08:52.824 --> 08:56.710 124,000 lives . The Distinguished 08:56.710 --> 08:58.821 Flying Cross , authorized by Congress 08:58.821 --> 09:01.690 the second of july 1926 is awarded to 09:01.700 --> 09:04.000 any officer or enlisted member of the 09:04.000 --> 09:06.510 Armed Forces of the United States for 09:06.510 --> 09:08.566 heroism or extraordinary achievement 09:08.566 --> 09:10.732 while participating in aerial flight . 09:10.732 --> 09:12.690 The design is a bronze star with a 09:12.690 --> 09:14.523 bronze cross with rays extending 09:14.523 --> 09:16.190 between the arms of the cross 09:16.190 --> 09:18.301 superimposed . On the cross is a four 09:18.301 --> 09:20.523 bladed propeller . The cross symbolizes 09:20.523 --> 09:22.634 sacrifice , and the propeller depicts 09:22.634 --> 09:24.468 flight . The Ribbon reflects the 09:24.468 --> 09:26.746 nation's colors and as a series of red , 09:26.746 --> 09:29.190 white and blue stripes . The C device 09:29.190 --> 09:31.560 was established in 2016 to distinguish 09:31.560 --> 09:33.449 an award earned for exceptionally 09:33.449 --> 09:35.393 meritorious service or achievement 09:35.393 --> 09:38.400 performed under combat conditions . 30 09:38.400 --> 09:40.567 of the 38 distinguished flying crosses 09:40.567 --> 09:42.678 presented today were awarded with the 09:42.678 --> 09:45.140 combat C device for their heroism and , 09:45.140 --> 09:47.140 extraordinary aerial achievements . 09:47.140 --> 09:49.084 These airmen have been awarded the 09:49.084 --> 09:50.973 nation's highest medal for aerial 09:50.973 --> 09:53.140 achievement , the Distinguished Flying 09:53.140 --> 09:55.196 Cross . Without further ado . Ladies 09:55.196 --> 09:56.918 and gentlemen , please welcome 09:56.918 --> 09:59.140 gentlemen in hand to the stage to share 09:59.140 --> 10:01.140 a few comments before distinguished 10:01.140 --> 10:02.751 flying cross presentations . 10:10.670 --> 10:13.000 Thank you for that . Welcome . Alright , 10:13.000 --> 10:15.620 I'm gonna project all good in the back . 10:15.630 --> 10:18.440 Here we go . Um 10:19.670 --> 10:23.230 I have 18 pages here that were prepared 10:23.230 --> 10:26.430 for me . It's a wonderful 10:26.430 --> 10:29.620 speech , my speech writer and I worked 10:29.620 --> 10:32.730 hard on it and I even edited it up on 10:32.730 --> 10:35.790 the flight here yesterday . But for me 10:35.790 --> 10:38.260 to give 18 pages of remarks while the 10:38.260 --> 10:40.149 people were honoring our standing 10:40.149 --> 10:42.290 formation would be disrespectful . So 10:42.290 --> 10:44.680 I'm just gonna speak from the heart . I 10:44.680 --> 10:46.624 took the speech this morning on my 10:46.624 --> 10:48.847 morning PT session and I boiled it down 10:48.847 --> 10:52.680 to this . Alright , 10 lines , 10:52.680 --> 10:54.730 about 14 words that will trigger a 10:54.730 --> 10:57.210 quick thought and then we can get on 10:57.210 --> 10:59.490 with what we're here for which was 10:59.500 --> 11:01.880 which is to honor the amazing airmen 11:01.890 --> 11:05.200 that stand before me . First of all , 11:05.200 --> 11:08.300 this venue is stunning . We got 11:08.300 --> 11:10.467 America's battle flag to my front , we 11:10.467 --> 11:13.130 got America's battle wagon behind me 11:13.410 --> 11:16.550 and then in the center we have 11:17.360 --> 11:19.910 America's best that are being honored 11:19.910 --> 11:23.850 today . It is a comment on who we are 11:23.860 --> 11:26.200 as americans . A comment on who we are 11:26.210 --> 11:29.060 as airmen and a comment on who we are 11:30.170 --> 11:33.360 as mobility airmen . It's a comment on 11:33.360 --> 11:36.650 the Total Force Active Duty Guard 11:36.650 --> 11:39.960 Reserve civilian . It's a comment 11:40.980 --> 11:44.160 on everybody that it takes to get a 11:44.160 --> 11:47.030 mission done the fly fix and support 11:47.650 --> 11:49.872 and certainly it's a comment on a great 11:49.872 --> 11:53.140 community mary an ambassador and mark 11:53.150 --> 11:56.020 that it takes to make a base thrive and 11:56.020 --> 11:59.060 bring all that together . So this venue 11:59.070 --> 12:01.250 is stunning . I think it's also cool . 12:01.250 --> 12:03.780 It's a little crisp this morning . I 12:03.780 --> 12:05.558 wouldn't want the weather to be 12:05.558 --> 12:07.750 completely warm because it's in the 12:07.750 --> 12:11.090 chill of this event that makes us feel 12:11.090 --> 12:14.220 alive and for the moment as we honor 12:14.220 --> 12:17.360 those before us , I owe you an apology 12:19.110 --> 12:21.330 for how long it took us to get here . 12:24.140 --> 12:27.630 15 months is too long and I own 12:27.630 --> 12:31.080 that and while there's magnitudes here 12:31.080 --> 12:33.024 that we are celebrating , there is 12:33.024 --> 12:35.080 still much work to be done and I own 12:35.080 --> 12:37.610 that part as well . So I apologize to 12:37.610 --> 12:39.721 the airmen before me , I apologize to 12:39.721 --> 12:43.220 their families and friends for how long 12:43.220 --> 12:47.100 it took to get here . The next word 12:47.100 --> 12:49.300 is pioneer . There's a pioneer aspect 12:49.300 --> 12:51.740 of what's going on before you , not 12:51.740 --> 12:55.120 just on how we look in our backgrounds , 12:56.000 --> 12:58.000 but certainly the fly fixed support 12:58.000 --> 13:00.222 that there's much more than just flyers 13:00.222 --> 13:02.556 receiving a distinguished flying across . 13:02.556 --> 13:04.611 It recognizes who we are as mobility 13:04.611 --> 13:06.833 airmen , that it takes all of us to get 13:06.833 --> 13:10.820 it done extremely cool and a 13:10.820 --> 13:13.042 Total force aspect of , well that we're 13:13.042 --> 13:15.264 not just recognizing active duty , that 13:15.264 --> 13:17.209 there's guardsmen and other venues 13:17.209 --> 13:19.209 being recognized and certainly some 13:19.209 --> 13:21.431 reservists in the future and reservists 13:21.431 --> 13:23.560 here today , it takes all of us . It 13:23.560 --> 13:25.850 reminds me that the investment of the 13:25.850 --> 13:28.780 collective , the collective is how we 13:28.780 --> 13:31.180 get it done . And regardless of your 13:31.180 --> 13:33.124 proximity to the flight deck , the 13:33.124 --> 13:35.124 flight station or the flight line , 13:35.124 --> 13:37.236 everybody has a role in us being here 13:37.236 --> 13:41.170 today . And appropriately , 13:41.170 --> 13:45.140 family is next that nothing we do can 13:45.140 --> 13:48.650 be done without families . And whether 13:48.650 --> 13:50.430 you grew up in a house that's 13:50.430 --> 13:53.620 represented today or family extended 13:53.620 --> 13:55.287 beyond our last names and our 13:55.287 --> 13:57.342 upbringings , collectively , we come 13:57.342 --> 14:00.700 together as a family . Families are 14:00.700 --> 14:02.867 hard on each other . Families surround 14:02.867 --> 14:05.450 themselves with love and families are 14:05.450 --> 14:07.600 what bridge us when the times are 14:07.600 --> 14:09.820 toughest and that is wonderfully 14:09.820 --> 14:13.100 represented today , the next line is 14:13.100 --> 14:16.640 words to action . It's one thing to say , 14:16.650 --> 14:19.640 we respect and we appreciate and it's 14:19.640 --> 14:21.862 another thing to actually carry out the 14:21.862 --> 14:23.940 actions that do that . And while I'm 14:23.950 --> 14:26.340 very , very appreciative of what's 14:26.340 --> 14:28.507 happening today , I know that we don't 14:28.507 --> 14:30.730 do things for ribbon or metal that we 14:30.730 --> 14:33.890 do things for others and we do things 14:33.890 --> 14:37.720 for each other . The Distinguished 14:37.720 --> 14:40.970 Flying Cross , 1926 Other Notables , 14:40.980 --> 14:44.360 Charles Lindbergh Hap Arnold The 14:44.360 --> 14:47.890 Doolittle Raiders and so many 14:47.890 --> 14:51.760 more remind us that today is a 14:51.760 --> 14:54.730 day of significance . And while this is 14:54.730 --> 14:58.370 the fourth highest metal and certainly 14:58.370 --> 15:00.000 the highest medal for flying 15:02.350 --> 15:05.930 that it still falls short of thanking 15:06.360 --> 15:09.230 these patriots for what they did In 15:09.230 --> 15:13.180 those 17 days today . 15:13.180 --> 15:15.310 These people , these airmen , these 15:15.310 --> 15:18.860 mobility airmen . These americans will 15:18.860 --> 15:22.110 leave this hangar highly decorated 15:23.510 --> 15:25.900 and we can never confuse someone with a 15:25.900 --> 15:28.970 lot of decorations with someone who is 15:28.970 --> 15:32.350 highly decorated . And even if this 15:32.350 --> 15:34.420 were the only medal on their chest , 15:36.290 --> 15:38.346 they would be considered and will be 15:38.346 --> 15:42.070 considered highly decorated . Warrior 15:42.070 --> 15:44.810 Code demands 15:46.150 --> 15:48.206 that we understand that we do things 15:48.206 --> 15:50.261 for others and we do things for each 15:50.261 --> 15:53.350 other . It demands that we understand 15:53.350 --> 15:55.128 the difference between a lot of 15:55.128 --> 15:57.350 decorations and highly decorated and it 15:57.350 --> 16:00.070 demands that of all the things we can 16:00.070 --> 16:03.260 give today . The highest in the warrior 16:03.260 --> 16:06.690 code is that we give those that we're 16:06.690 --> 16:09.470 honoring our eternal respect for the 16:09.470 --> 16:12.870 actions over the battle skies of 16:12.870 --> 16:16.040 Afghanistan and then finally , the last 16:16.040 --> 16:19.070 word is tenacity . Tenacity 16:19.660 --> 16:23.500 fills the gap between what we actually 16:23.500 --> 16:26.720 have and what we wish we had 16:27.420 --> 16:29.950 when executing missions and chaps 16:29.950 --> 16:33.520 called this out wonderfully tenacity to 16:33.520 --> 16:36.410 generate the courage to aim the point 16:36.410 --> 16:40.320 in to the scary place and execute . 16:41.500 --> 16:44.760 I do not worry one bit about this 16:44.760 --> 16:48.090 nation about this air force and about 16:48.090 --> 16:51.060 our mobility family's ability to 16:51.060 --> 16:53.330 generate tenacity because you're 16:53.330 --> 16:55.810 looking at it standing right before me 16:55.820 --> 16:58.390 and with that tenacity , nobody that 16:58.400 --> 17:01.240 comes against us stands a chance . All 17:01.240 --> 17:04.520 right , are we ? Good . That was quick . 17:04.530 --> 17:07.390 That wasn't 18 pages . We could not be 17:07.390 --> 17:09.446 more happy to be here with you today 17:09.446 --> 17:11.612 and it's time to pin some long overdue 17:11.612 --> 17:13.557 medals on some heroes . Let's go . 17:17.500 --> 17:19.660 Lieutenant Colonel Alex pell Bath , 17:19.670 --> 17:22.120 Mission commander , Aircraft commanders 17:22.120 --> 17:24.810 Major Justin Cherry . Maybe maybe your 17:24.810 --> 17:27.890 curry be wooden Major Will Kuchins , 17:28.390 --> 17:30.990 Captain J . Campbell Captain Spencer , 17:30.990 --> 17:34.550 Dewey crew members . Lieutenant Colonel 17:34.550 --> 17:36.790 Brandon Coleman Major Ryan versus 17:36.920 --> 17:39.270 Captain Mark Altobelli . Captain 17:39.270 --> 17:41.640 Charles . Armstrong Captain Christopher 17:41.640 --> 17:45.600 Brown , Captain Hally , Co captain 17:45.610 --> 17:48.490 Banda chaudhry Captain Amanda Ephedrine , 17:48.500 --> 17:51.380 Captain Garen Galston , Captain Kevin 17:51.380 --> 17:53.670 Hart , Captain , Christopher Hoffman . 17:53.680 --> 17:56.440 Captain Raya McFarlane Captain Andrew 17:56.440 --> 17:58.273 Parella , Master Sergeant , liam 17:58.273 --> 18:00.496 McPhail , Master sergeant Joshua martin 18:00.496 --> 18:02.273 mass . Sergeant eric Beatrice , 18:02.273 --> 18:04.440 Technical Sergeant , jerry , Daniels , 18:04.440 --> 18:06.329 Techno sergeant Samuel , weaver , 18:06.329 --> 18:08.218 Techno sergeant Ethan Schaffner , 18:08.218 --> 18:10.329 Techno sergeant Brett . Yoakum Techno 18:10.329 --> 18:12.440 sergeant , David Rick , Tech Sergeant 18:12.440 --> 18:14.670 Chase Gauci Sergeant Justin Lyle's 18:14.770 --> 18:16.826 Staff sergeant Alex , Herman , Staff 18:16.826 --> 18:19.159 Sergeant , Sean Patton , Staff Sergeant , 18:19.159 --> 18:21.600 Nicholas Miller as staff sergeant . 18:21.600 --> 18:23.822 Zachary Lewis , Staff Sergeant , robert 18:23.822 --> 18:26.156 Gillespie , Staff Sergeant Tyler Slavin , 18:26.330 --> 18:28.640 Staff Sergeant , Brandon mala kata , 18:29.200 --> 18:31.460 Staff sergeant , Cory grimes , Staff 18:31.460 --> 18:33.700 sergeant , Manny Gomez , Senior airman 18:33.700 --> 18:35.890 Christopher Sims , Staff Sergeant Dane 18:35.890 --> 18:38.320 Schultz , Staff Sergeant Trevor Woods , 18:38.330 --> 18:40.610 Staff Sergeant Matthew link , Senior 18:40.610 --> 18:42.610 airman Christopher . Warman , Staff 18:42.610 --> 18:44.554 sergeant Cody schulz distinguished 18:44.554 --> 18:47.320 themselves by extraordinary achievement . 18:52.320 --> 18:53.987 Where's your family Right now 18:56.610 --> 19:00.450 continue . These 19:00.450 --> 19:02.450 members distinguished themselves by 19:02.450 --> 19:04.228 extraordinary achievement while 19:04.228 --> 19:06.283 participating in aerial flight while 19:06.283 --> 19:08.210 engaged in military operations 19:08.220 --> 19:10.387 involving conflict against an opposing 19:10.387 --> 19:13.300 foreign force as air crew of 437th 19:13.310 --> 19:15.480 Airlift Wing at him . Karzai 19:15.490 --> 19:18.080 International Airport Kabul Afghanistan 19:18.090 --> 19:21.790 on 30 . August 2021 on this date 19:21.800 --> 19:24.040 five aircraft departed Al Udeid Air 19:24.040 --> 19:26.290 base . In . Qatar on the final flight 19:26.300 --> 19:28.450 into Afghanistan to land at Hamid 19:28.450 --> 19:30.900 Karzai International Airport Upon 19:30.900 --> 19:33.011 arrival into the airspace surrounding 19:33.011 --> 19:34.980 the Kabul airport . Air defense , 19:34.980 --> 19:37.390 artillery flares and heavy machine gun 19:37.390 --> 19:39.370 fire were observed on the approach 19:39.380 --> 19:41.547 without , with further reports placing 19:41.547 --> 19:44.260 rooftop snipers in the area . Despite 19:44.260 --> 19:46.427 the hazardous conditions , the aircrew 19:46.427 --> 19:48.649 landed their aircraft under the control 19:48.649 --> 19:50.649 of combat controllers in a no light 19:50.649 --> 19:52.871 environment and expeditiously conducted 19:52.871 --> 19:54.982 a set of pre briefed ground maneuvers 19:54.982 --> 19:57.149 to minimize the time on the ground and 19:57.149 --> 19:59.260 the extreme threat environment At the 19:59.260 --> 20:01.482 completion of ground maneuvers and full 20:01.482 --> 20:03.260 accountability of all remaining 20:03.260 --> 20:05.482 American forces on board the aircraft , 20:05.482 --> 20:07.538 the order to depart the airfield was 20:07.538 --> 20:09.760 given assuming the risk for departure . 20:09.760 --> 20:09.580 With no controllers and a compromised 20:09.580 --> 20:11.720 airfield . The air crew departed as a 20:11.720 --> 20:13.820 formation from Hamid Karzai 20:13.820 --> 20:16.310 International Airport . The leadership , 20:16.320 --> 20:18.160 courage and decisiveness of the 20:18.160 --> 20:20.140 aircrews directly ensured the 20:20.140 --> 20:22.870 culmination of Allies Refuge , an 20:22.870 --> 20:24.870 operation that ultimately airlifted 20:24.870 --> 20:28.550 124,000 individuals . The professional 20:28.550 --> 20:31.270 competence , aerial skill and devotion 20:31.270 --> 20:33.214 to duty displayed by these aircrew 20:33.214 --> 20:35.270 reflect great credit upon themselves 20:35.270 --> 20:38.080 and the United States Air Force . The 20:38.080 --> 20:39.969 next distinguished flying crosses 20:39.969 --> 20:42.191 presented are to accrue from the 3 15th 20:42.191 --> 20:44.680 airlifting who delivered a baby under 20:44.680 --> 20:47.150 terrible conditions in flight while 20:47.150 --> 20:50.350 saving 456 vulnerable Afghans . 20:51.200 --> 20:53.750 Lieutenant Colonel Trey , Adams , Major 20:53.750 --> 20:56.600 David Gant Captain Dennis Conner , 20:56.610 --> 20:59.470 Captain Leslie Green , Master Sergeant 20:59.470 --> 21:01.470 Leah Schmidt and Technical Sergeant 21:01.470 --> 21:03.680 Dennis Hyatt distinguished themselves 21:03.680 --> 21:05.624 by extraordinary achievement while 21:05.624 --> 21:07.513 participating in aerial flight as 21:07.513 --> 21:10.060 Aircrew from the 701st airlift Squadron 21:10.070 --> 21:13.590 315th Airlift Wing in direct support of 21:13.590 --> 21:16.790 allies . Refuge on 23 august 2021 . 21:17.530 --> 21:19.641 On this day , the crew were tasked to 21:19.641 --> 21:21.752 fly from Ramstein Air Base Germany to 21:21.752 --> 21:24.520 make Karzai International Airport Kabul 21:24.520 --> 21:27.440 Afghanistan to evacuate refugees . On 21:27.440 --> 21:29.950 arrival in Kabul , the aircrew rapidly 21:29.950 --> 21:32.330 and efficiently loaded more than 456 21:32.330 --> 21:35.170 vulnerable Afghan refugees . Once all 21:35.170 --> 21:37.281 passengers were safely on board , the 21:37.281 --> 21:39.503 air crew departed for Al Udeid Air Base 21:39.503 --> 21:41.720 Guitar . Upon arrival value deed , the 21:41.720 --> 21:43.887 crew entered a lengthy holding pattern 21:43.887 --> 21:45.720 during which two female refugees 21:45.720 --> 21:47.942 blockade themselves in the laboratory , 21:47.942 --> 21:50.053 one of whom was actively giving birth 21:50.500 --> 21:52.611 Despite limited medical equipment and 21:52.611 --> 21:54.611 only one trained medic on board the 21:54.611 --> 21:56.790 crew safely delivered a healthy baby 21:56.800 --> 21:58.967 while still on approach at 600ft above 21:58.967 --> 22:02.500 the ground , with nothing available to 22:02.500 --> 22:04.611 safely sever the umbilical cord . The 22:04.611 --> 22:06.611 crew cut a lanyard and tied off the 22:06.611 --> 22:08.250 umbilical cord . The aircrew 22:08.250 --> 22:10.361 coordinated with responding emergency 22:10.361 --> 22:12.583 medical services and fire department to 22:12.583 --> 22:14.472 expedite the deep planning of the 22:14.472 --> 22:16.306 mother and baby along with other 22:16.306 --> 22:18.194 vulnerable passengers . The swift 22:18.194 --> 22:20.250 actions of the fight . Nurse Captain 22:20.250 --> 22:22.194 Green , the load masters find crew 22:22.194 --> 22:24.194 chief and pilots of the flight deck 22:24.194 --> 22:26.250 resulted in the complete recovery of 22:26.250 --> 22:28.361 the mother and the safe delivery of a 22:28.361 --> 22:30.417 healthy baby girl . The professional 22:30.417 --> 22:32.583 competence , aerial skill and devotion 22:32.583 --> 22:34.472 to duty displayed by the air crew 22:34.472 --> 22:36.528 reflect great credit upon themselves 22:36.528 --> 22:38.639 and the United States Air Force . The 22:38.639 --> 22:40.583 final distinguished flying crosses 22:40.583 --> 22:42.361 presented . Go to the air crews 22:42.361 --> 22:44.306 involved in multiple dangerous and 22:44.306 --> 22:46.139 chaotic breaches of Hamid Karzai 22:46.139 --> 22:47.972 International Airport on several 22:47.972 --> 22:50.083 occasions , scared Afghan civilians , 22:50.083 --> 22:51.972 Taliban fighters and numerous bad 22:51.972 --> 22:54.139 actors breached the airfield perimeter 22:54.139 --> 22:56.361 and put the air crews and aircraft in a 22:56.361 --> 22:58.361 perilous situation . These air crew 22:58.361 --> 23:01.420 responded heroically . Major joe Grant 23:01.420 --> 23:03.910 kelly , Captain ken Giovanni di 23:03.910 --> 23:06.680 Giovanni Lieutenant john Michael 23:06.680 --> 23:09.810 Hollerin , Staff Sergeant Kevin Coleman , 23:09.820 --> 23:12.060 Senior Airman christian Hoffmann 23:12.070 --> 23:14.020 Technical Sergeant Dennis Gonzalez 23:14.020 --> 23:16.030 furman distinguished themselves by 23:16.030 --> 23:17.860 extraordinary achievement while 23:17.860 --> 23:19.916 participating in aerial flight while 23:19.916 --> 23:22.027 engaged in direct support of allies . 23:22.027 --> 23:25.740 Refuge in august of 2021 during the 23:25.740 --> 23:27.796 delivery of quick reaction forces to 23:27.796 --> 23:29.520 Kabul Afghanistan to support 23:29.520 --> 23:31.650 noncombatant evacuation operations 23:31.660 --> 23:34.160 Following a rapid Taliban take over the 23:34.160 --> 23:36.327 security perimeter of the airfield was 23:36.327 --> 23:38.770 breached and thousands of people rushed 23:38.770 --> 23:41.130 to the aircraft during a complex 23:41.140 --> 23:43.196 offload . The crews were directed to 23:43.196 --> 23:45.580 execute an immediate evacuation . The 23:45.580 --> 23:47.302 crews readied the aircraft for 23:47.302 --> 23:49.080 departure and overcame a severe 23:49.080 --> 23:50.858 electrical malfunction during a 23:50.858 --> 23:52.580 perilous moment . Do the quick 23:52.580 --> 23:54.840 reactions of the fine crew chief , the 23:54.840 --> 23:57.007 aircrew taxi with helicopter escorts , 23:57.007 --> 23:59.007 accomplished all critical preflight 23:59.007 --> 24:01.173 checklists and takeoff calculations to 24:01.173 --> 24:02.896 ensure a safe departure out of 24:02.896 --> 24:05.062 Afghanistan arriving safely at the air 24:05.062 --> 24:07.360 base Guitar . The air crews leadership , 24:07.370 --> 24:09.770 decisiveness and courage in the face of 24:09.770 --> 24:11.603 a dangerous and life threatening 24:11.603 --> 24:14.050 situation , save the lives of six 24:14.060 --> 24:16.260 aircrew and 12 passengers on board the 24:16.260 --> 24:19.260 aircraft . The professional competence , 24:19.270 --> 24:22.140 aerial skill and devotion to duty 24:22.140 --> 24:24.400 displayed by the air crew reflect great 24:24.400 --> 24:26.660 credit upon themselves and the United 24:26.660 --> 24:30.050 States Air Force at this time , As the 24:30.100 --> 24:32.760 minute hand continues to pin , pin the 24:32.760 --> 24:34.982 medals on the recipients , feel free to 24:34.982 --> 24:36.816 come up and take pictures as you 24:36.816 --> 24:38.927 remember , gets pinned on and the Air 24:38.927 --> 24:41.149 Force band will pay some light music in 24:41.149 --> 24:40.640 the background . 26:52.740 --> 26:55.660 Yeah , he was calling . 27:22.380 --> 27:23.380 Thank you . 30:54.430 --> 30:55.170 Yeah . 31:37.790 --> 31:38.300 Mhm . 32:06.260 --> 32:07.260 Hey , my man . 32:12.160 --> 32:14.160 Okay , we're good . He's gonna come 32:14.160 --> 32:16.216 back up now . Thank you guys so much 32:16.216 --> 32:15.100 for good . 33:06.670 --> 33:07.670 Walking back up . 34:05.210 --> 34:07.360 Congratulations to all of our war 34:07.360 --> 34:11.100 recipients . Yes , 34:11.930 --> 34:15.870 Yeah , congratulations to all 34:15.870 --> 34:17.814 the award recipients and thank you 34:17.814 --> 34:19.759 General Minihan for presiding over 34:19.759 --> 34:22.100 today's ceremony . What ? 34:24.060 --> 34:24.480 Four 34:31.380 --> 34:33.100 order form .