ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Aeronautical Division: U.S. Army Signal Corps

1 August 1907
The foundation of the Air Force really began in 1907 when
the Aeronautical Division of the Signal Corps was created to
facilitate the use of the new technology of the observation
balloon and “aero plane” for the United States Army.
Corporal Edward “Eddie” Ward and PFC Joseph Barrett
were the first two enlisted airmen assigned. The new
Aeronautical Division was highly technical, and only the
Signal Corps accepted only the most skilled enlisted
mechanics for the new division—legends like Corporal
Vernon Burge and Corporal Frank Scott soon joined. 1Lt
Frank P. Lahm, one of the great leaders in Air Force and
AETC history, joined the division in September as the
fourth active member.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Mexican Punitive Expedition

14 March 1916 – 7 February 1917
America’s first use of the Airplane for an operational expedition took
place in 1916, almost two years after the beginning of World War I, and
after Americans such as Frederick Libby had already attained ace
status serving with foreign nations.  Members of the 1st Aero Squadron,
using already antiquated Curtiss JN-3 aircraft until they were replaced
with problematic Curtiss R-2s, 11 officers and 82 enlisted men became
the first expeditionary Air Force in American history.  The 1st Aero
Squadron conducted only reconnaissance and some “show of Force”
missions.  Capt Benjamin Foulois was to learn much from the
difficulties of logistics and guerrilla attacks as he assumed control of
the Expeditionary Air Force in France in 1917.  1Lt John Brooks long
career as a member of the 1st Aero Squadron began in 1915.  He was
cited for heroism as a cavalry officer, became the wartime commander
of Call Field in Wichita Falls, TX, and ended his career as a Major
General leading the last strike on the Kurile Islands in World
War II. 
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

St Mihiel/Western Front Offensive

12 – 15 September 1918

The great 1,500-plane allied “Air Army” conceived by Col

Billy Mitchell revolutionized warfare.  Under Mitchell’s
command, and reporting directly to General Pershing, the
largest combined air force of World War I roamed
throughout the St Mihiel sector supported day and night
offensive operations and made a decisive impact on what
had previously been a stalemated trench war.  Flying in
sometimes almost zero visibility, “no fail” aviators like Capt
Carl Spaatz of the 13th Aero Squadron (later the first CSAF
in 1947) helped end the First World War and revolutionize
air/land doctrine forever.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Hickam Field, Hawaii: Surprise Attack

7 December 1941
A dark day in the history of the United States was nonetheless
punctuated by acts of great valor and selflessness, while at the same
time ushering into to the national consciousness that air power was the
future of conflict. Lt Kenneth Taylor was one of the very few pilots
stationed near Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor to fly in defense of the
installations, and along with Lt George Welch received the
Distinguished Service Cross for fighting against overwhelming odds in
P-40B Tomahawks.  Taylor was credited with at least two aerial
victories that day.  Fighting to save lives, Hickam’s Chief Nurse 1Lt
Annie Fox set up triage areas and improvised field bandages and
treatments for the many wounded in the attacks.  She received a Purple
Heart for extraordinary heroism in combat conditions—the first woman
to win the award in combat (the medal was not only for wounds, but
served in place of the Bronze Star until 1943).  Fox’s Purple
Heart was changed to a Bronze Star in October, 1944. 
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Tokyo: Doolittle’s Raid

18 April 1942
In April 1942, the United States struck the heart of the Japanese
empire with a surprise raid of its own.  Led valiantly by MoH
recipient Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle, 18 B-25B “Mitchell” medium
bombers launched from the U.S. S. Hornet early on the morning
of 18 April and hit industrial and military targets around Tokyo
and Yokohama, Japan.  One aircraft, Plane #13 piloted by 1Lt
Edgar McElroy even put a small bomb into the Japanese aircraft
carrier Ryuho—thanks to his stellar bombardier, MSgt Robert
Bourgeois (for which he received the DFC).  None of the bombers
were shot down, although gunners on the B-25 were credited
with a few Japanese fighters.  Running low on fuel and light, all
but one of the B-25s were abandoned or crashed in China
(one slipped away to Vladivostok, USSR where the crew
was interned).
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Midway Island: Pacific War Turning Point

4-7 June 1942
Although the Battle of Midway was largely a naval battle, the Army Air Forces provided B-
17s, B-24s and torpedo carrying B-26 Marauders to defend the island from invasion and
provide long-range reconnaissance.  In this capacity, the Army Air Forces delivered the
first attacks against the large force of Japanese carriers early on 4 June 1942.  The Army
Air Forces also bore the brunt of the assault on Midway Island when the Japanese finally
launched their aerial bombing attacks.

Capt James F. Collins, piloting a B-26 leading the formation of Torpedo-carrying

Marauders, was subjected to intense fire and attacks at sea level by Mitsubishi A6 M
Zeros.   His B-26 was subject to repeated attacks and three of his five crewmen were
wounded.  Though his B-26 was badly damaged with more than 180 holes throughout the
airframe, his was only one of two Marauders to make it back to Midway.  Maj Gen
Clarence Tinker, 7 AF/CC,  flew an extended mission attacking Wake Island as the
Japanese forces retreated from Midway and his aircraft was shot down over the North
Pacific on 7 Jun1942, making General Tinker the first General Officer killed in combat
during World War II—and the first General officer Airmen ever killed in combat.  Tinker
was the first Native American to be promoted to Major General and Tinker AFB, OK is
named in his honor.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Bismarck Sea: New Guinea

1 March 1943

A tireless advocate of tactical air power and innovation Maj Gen George
Kenney altered the course of air interdiction forever as commander of
the 5th Air Force in World War II.  He allowed his combat crews to try
innovative strategies in attacking Japanese strongholds and surface
ships; everything from daring airborne assaults behind enemy lines, to
parafrag bombs and skip bombing.  Ultimately, using an idea he had
for a “commerce destroyer” medium bomber developed under the
direction of the engineering genius Maj Paul I. Gunn, B-25 and A-20
strafer-bombers devastated a convoy of 8 troop ships and four
destroyers bound for an invasion of New Guinea.  In the Battle of the
Bismarck Sea, all of the ships were destroyed by the new commerce
raiders without any assist by naval aviation.  It was one of the most
lop-sided battles of World War II and changed forever the strategic
dynamic of naval surface warfare.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Wilhelmshaven: Air Offensive, Germany

27 January 1943

The first heavy bombing mission of Germany itself by the 8th Air Force,
the attack on Wilhelmshaven was a watershed event in the history of
World War II.  After months of attacks on the relatively close-by French
mainland and harbor facilities, by January the USAAF had sufficient
strength to attack the German homeland with B-17F Flying Fortresses. 
Though not escorted by fighters, pioneering Group commanders like
Col Curtis E. LeMay and Col Frank Armstrong of the 305th and 306th
Bomb Groups respectively, revolutionized the conduct of heavy
bombing missions with tight box-formations providing defense in depth
for the bomber stream, and had begun straight-in, “no-jink” methods of
bomb delivery which allowed precise strikes even against hoards of
Luftwaffe fighters and clouds of flak.  64 B-17 and 27 B-24D bombers
made the pioneering attack, at the cost of one B-17 and two B-24s lost,
32 B-17s and 11 B-24s damaged—this despite a
force of almost 75 Luftwaffe fighters defending the target.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Schweinfurt: Black Thursday

14 October 1943
Considered one of the greatest air battles of World War II and Air Force history, the raid
on the ball bearing plants—everything that moved depended on bearings—clustered
around Schweinfurt, Germany, was hoped to be a decisive blow against a key industry. 
This was the second 8th Air Force mission to Schweinfurt in World War II; the first had
been a split mission with half the planes hitting Regensburg and the other half hitting
Schweinfurt 17 Aug 1943.  The second mission was aptly called “Black Thursday.”   Fully
60 B-17s were lost over the continent and another five written off in crashes, and dozens
more damaged badly in the long unescorted mission (only 50 of 257 B-17s were
undamaged).  The bombing was nonetheless immensely accurate despite tremendous
losses.  In the horror of the day there was great heroism—especially in the unrecorded
deeds of the dead and missing.  SSgt Louis Lonsway, a tail gunner on a B-17, fought off
dozens of attacks, and saved the lives of all aboard his B-17 by fighting a raging fire with
his bare hands—he received the nation’s second highest award, the Distinguished Service
Cross.   SSgt Winston Toomey was one reason the bombs were amazingly accurate.  He
stayed at his bombardier position after being badly wounded and refused aid and stayed
at his post till the drop signal had been received.  He died of his wounds.  Like Lonsway,
he also received the DSC.  Altogether at least five DSCs
were awarded for Black Thursday.  It is perhaps fitting that no single individual
was awarded a Medal of Honor in a battle of so much heroism and
sacrifice—it was the standard for the day.
www.airman.af.mil
ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Ploesti: OPERATION TIDAL WAVE

1 August 1943
One of the most audacious air attacks of all time, TIDAL WAVE was hoped to cripple
the oil refineries of Rumania at Ploesti and Campina, depriving the Third Reich of
vital petroleum for its military operations.  Under leadership of the 9 AF (along with
many relocated Second Air Division aircraft) B-24D Liberators flew hundreds of
miles at extreme low level from airfields in North Africa.  Some 178 Liberators took
part in the mission and 54 did not return.  Lt Col Addison Baker led the 93rd Bomb
Group and his B-24 was hit badly entering the target area.  Though he could have
aborted and crash-landed, he elected to lead the bombers over the target to ensure
mission success.  He and his crew died after bombing the target for which he won
the Medal of Honor.   Lt Lloyd Hughes’ B-24 was hit by flak on the way into the
target area and was streaming fuel when he elected to continue on to the target. 
The refineries were already ablaze when he dropped his bombs, and his B-24 caught
fire as he egressed the target area.  Again, he selflessly bore into the target area
when he could have elected to jettison his bombs and land away from the target. 
The entire air battle was fraught with dangers at low altitude and bravery was
exemplary in the face of stunning odds.  It as the most decorated air
mission of all time with five Medals of Honor and 56 Distinguished Flying
Crosses conferred.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Berlin: Consolidated Mission of 8 AF & 15 AF

24 March 1945
By the time the Tuskegee Airmen made it to Berlin, the air war over Europe was
reaching its climax. The Luftwaffe had assembled secret weapons in the form of
rocket fighters and jet fighters, and was throwing everything it had into the defense
of Berlin. The 332nd Fighter Group, under the leadership of Col Benjamin O. Davis
Jr., had fought prejudice, supply inconsistencies, and out-fitting with four different
types of aircraft (P-40s, P-39s, P-47s and P-51s) within the previous year. By the
time of the consolidated Berlin mission, the “Red Tails” had earned a reputation for
protecting bombers and their crews like no other fighter group. To escort bombers
from their base at Ramitelli, Italy, all the way to Berlin required they appropriate the
longest range fuel tanks available for the P-51 (which was done by a consignment of
supply NCOs in “Operation Fuel Tank”), plus defy orders by doubling their planned
escort when their relief group did not show up at the planned rendezvous. Thus,
the Tuskegee Airmen’s most famous mission ensued—1600-miles round trip and
the longest 15 AF mission of World War II. They tangled with the Luftwaffe for an
extended period over the very heart of the Third Reich. 1Lt Roscoe Brown, later a
superintendent of schools in New York City, downed a Me-262A jet fighter from JG-
7 while protecting the bomber stream. The Tuskegee Airmen shot down a
total of three jets that day and earned the coveted Distinguished Unit
Citation for the exemplary conduct over Berlin.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Japan: MATTERHORN
15 June 1944 – 14 August 1945
Air power ended the Second World War.  Rather than millions of casualties and possibly
the destruction of Japanese culture forever,  air power, though devastating, was able to
end the war with a prolonged siege and terribly costly invasion—which may have been
resisted to almost the last person.  As well, the hordes of Kamikaze aircraft kept in
reserve to attack the invasion fleets were never used.  Instead, B-29 Superfortresses,
escorted by long range fighters were able to range with impunity over the whole of Japan
and eventually cause the unconditional surrender of a proud and stubborn enemy.  SSgt
Henry Erwin, unlike his predecessors who won the MoH in Europe, received the Medal of
Honor for a crew action.  He carried an intensely hot magnesium flare to the co-pilot’s
window and hurled it out, saving the lives of his entire crew but horribly burning himself
in the process.   Despite long odds, “Red” Erwin survived after enduring more than 40
operations.  SSgt Erwin was a tireless advocate for the enlisted force and visited
numerous hospitals and VA centers throughout his long life.   Col Paul Tibbetts, who had
taken part in the first bombing missions of the war in Europe, helped end the war in the
famous B-29 “Enola Gay” named for his mother.  Upon Colonel Tibbetts’ shoulders lay the
awesome responsibility of the success of the atomic mission and 509 th Bomb Wing.  He
was one of the greatest leaders in Air Force history.  Though the damage caused by the
Hiroshima attack was extreme, ending the war early proved to be
the better alternative and probably saved countless lives.  Colonel Tibbetts bore
his great responsibility with grace and dignity throughout his life and was always
a model for the Air Force Core Values.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Berlin: BERLIN AIRLIFT

24 June 1948 – 12 May 1949
After the activation of the Air Force as a co-equal and separate military service in
September 1947, the new service had less than a year before it was challenged to the
maximum extent possible by Soviet ground blockade of Berlin in June 1948. The Soviets,
as one of four conquering powers after World War II had been given control of a swath of
Eastern Germany with the proviso that the former capital of the Third Reich would be
divided into zones of occupation by the four powers. The Soviet Union bristled at the
Western enclave within the Warsaw Pact nations, and actively sought to intimidate the
United States, Great Britain and France out of Berlin. The saber rattling so close to the
end of World War II was especially deflating and unnerving, but the United States stayed
firm with confidence in its Air Force and aerial logistics. Berlin was kept alive through a
hastily assembled aerial armada of transport aircraft—many bought back for military
service after having been sold for pennies on the dollar as surplus. 1Lt Gail Halvorsen
gained fame as the “Candy Bomber” by directing small packages of candy to the suffering
children of Berlin out the pilot’s window of his C-54 when he was on final approach. TSgt
Lloyd G. Wells was a heroic casualty in the Airlift; one of 31 Americans who lost their lives
saving the beleaguered city. Many fine histories of the airlift have been written; maybe
the best account was legendary commander Lt Gen William H. Tunner’s “Over the Hump.”

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

MiG Alley: Defense of the Republic of Korea

6 December 1950 – 27 July 1953
All too soon, the United States returned to war in 1950 as North Korea, with the
permission and prodding of the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea.
Airmen were to suffer the first six fatalities of the war for the United Nations
intervention on 26 Jun 1950. Whereas combat jets had flown sorties in World
War II, Korea was to mark the beginning of a new age of jet vs. jet combat.
From December of 1950 thru the beginning of the uneasy “ceasefire” in July
1953, American jet fighters combated MiG fighters in North Korea—sometimes
in defense of bombing missions such as the one where Sgt Harry Lavene
became the first aerial gunner to successfully engage a MiG-15 and score an
aerial victory high above North Korea on 9 Dec 1950. On that mission the RB-
29 on which Lavene was a gunner was jumped by two new Soviet MiG-15s.
Lavene was able to shoot one down, but the RB-29 was badly damaged and
crashed on return to Johnson AB, Japan—though he survived. Capt Joseph
C. McConnell became the leading ace of the Korean War with 16 aerial victories
in an F-86 Sabre—like the leading American ace of World War II, he also died
tragically as a test pilot shortly after the end of the war. McConnell died testing
the F-86H Sabre at Edwards AFB, CA on
25 Aug 1954.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

North Vietnam: ROLLING THUNDER I & II

2 March 1965 – 2 November 1968
The Rolling Thunder air campaign of Vietnam was the first truly modern air campaign of
the jet era. Lasting more than three years, Rolling Thunder attacked enemy targets
throughout Vietnam—the most dangerous of which was Route Package Six near Hanoi
and Haiphong—the most hotly defended ground target complex in the world at the time.
Route Package Six missions were so dangerous they could be flown only by the fastest
and best trained fighter pilots of that generation generally flying F-105D “Thunderchiefs
(Thuds)” or F-4C/D/E “Phantoms.” Many of the longest residents of the Hanoi Hilton and
other POW camps had been brought down in Pak Six missions during Rolling Thunder.
One of the greatest and most decorated Airmen of all time was then-Maj George “Bud”
Day (Medal of Honor, AF Cross, Silver Star). Day was the leader of American prisoners
and remained a key proponent of veteran’s life until his death in 2013. One of the
greatest heroes of AF History lost his life through torture at the hands of his North
Vietnamese captors, Capt Lance Sijan. Prior to his capture, and with multiple fractures
from ejection (including a skull fracture), Sijan evaded capture for 46 days! Also awarded
the Medal of Honor, his courage and honor are still recognized today with the annual AF
Sijan Award for valor. While the stories of America’s brave POWs cannot be condensed
adequately into a single paragraph, multiple biographies and histories attest to their
legacy and sacrifice and are “must-reads” for Air Force professionals hoping to
live to the Core Values.

www.airman.af.mil
ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

North Vietnam: OPERATION BOLO

2 January 1967
In late 1966, the USAF was not permitted to bomb North Vietnamese airfields and could
only destroy enemy fighters in the air. Col. Robin Olds, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW)
commander, former Tuskegee Airman Col Dan “Chappie James, Vice Commander, and
the wing's tactics officer, Capt. John "J.B." Stone devised a masterful plan to lure and
trap North Vietnamese MiG-21s by mimicking an F-105 bombing formation on radar. On
Jan. 2, 1967, 8th TFW F-4D Phantoms entered North Vietnam from the west using the
same route, altitude, and formation as an F-105 bomb strike. The three four-ship flights
were named Olds, Ford and Rambler. They also carried and operated the same electronic
jamming pods used by the Thuds. The North Vietnamese took the bait, and the MiGs
came up to intercept what they thought was an F-105 strike. At the same time, 366th
TFW F-4s came into North Vietnam from the east to block the MiGs' escape to China and
to orbit their bases, preventing the MiGs from landing. Despite some problems caused by
weather, OPERATION BOLO proved extremely effective. During the 12-minute
engagement, seven North Vietnamese MiG-21s -- about half of their operational force --
were shot down with no USAF losses. Four days later, another ruse, this time mimicking
an F-4 reconnaissance flight, shot down two more MiG-21s. These crippling losses greatly
reduced MiG activity for several months as the Soviets undertook a radical retraining
program.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

North Vietnam: LINEBACKER II

18-29 December 1972
As President Richard Nixon sought to drive the North Vietnamese leadership back to the negotiating
table, a massive Christmas season bombing campaign was devised over key targets in North Vietnam
in Hanoi and Haiphong. B-52D/G/H Stratofortresses flew over the densely defended air space of
North Vietnam. During these operations, Air Force and Navy tactical aircraft and B-52s commenced
an around-the-clock bombardment of the North Vietnamese heartland. The B-52s struck Hanoi and
Haiphong during hours of darkness with F-111s and Navy tactical aircraft providing
diversionary/suppression strikes on airfields and surface-to-air missile sites. Daylight operations were
primarily carried out by A-7s and F-4s bombing visually or with long-range navigation (LORAN)
techniques, depending upon the weather over the targets. In addition, escort aircraft such as the Air
Force EB-66s and Navy EA-6s broadcast electronic jamming signals to confuse the radar-controlled
defenses of the North. The Strategic Air Command also provided KC-135s to support the in-flight
refueling requirements of the various aircraft participating in Linebacker II operations. The impact of
the bombing was obvious in the severe damage to the North Vietnamese logistic and war-support
capability. By 29 December 1972, the 700 nighttime sorties flown by B-52s and 650 daytime strikes
by fighter and attack aircraft persuaded the North Vietnamese government to return to the conference
table and had badly degraded their air defense and command networks. On the first night of
bombing, SSgt Samuel Turner was able to score an aerial gunnery victory over the MiG-21 from the
tail position of B-52D 56-676. One of two such victories in history, Turner’s aircraft is on display at
Fairchild AFB, WA. 1Lt Robert J. Thomas, lost his life on the first night of the bombings as Co-Pilot of
B-52G “Charcoal 01.” The crews of the Stratofortresses that night reported “wall-to-wall” SAMs.
Though the United States lost 15 B-52s and several other strike aircraft through the 10-day
campaign, the resulting disaster drove the Vietnamese to the negotiating table and allowed
the U.S. to withdraw from the war.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Kuwait City: DESERT STORM

17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991
One of the greatest and most successful air campaigns in history, DESERT STORM so
thoroughly degraded Iraqi capabilities and combat power that it facilitated the liberation of
Kuwait after a mere three days of a ground campaign by coalition forces. Though The A-10
Thunderbolt II, or “Hog” was supposed to be retired in short order after the DESERT STORM,
its performance was so outstanding—especially in the search and rescue support role, that the
aircraft has soldiered on to the present day. On a rescue mission of 21 January, 1991, Capt
Paul Johnson received the Air Force Cross for repeatedly protecting a downed pilot by
suppressing his capture by enemy forces. The pilot was eventually rescued thanks to the
dogged work of Johnson—who later became the first pilot to successfully land an A-10 on a
single wing spar in manual reversion when a SA-13 missile hit his starboard wing. Col David
Eberly endured 43-days harsh treatment when his F-15E Strike Eagle was downed by a SAM
over Iraq on 19 January. He was the senior ranking POW of the war, and received a DFC for
his actions leading up to the shoot-down, as 4 FW Commander. He lost 45 pounds in captivity.
Overall, the Air Force flew over 65,000 sorties during Operation Desert Storm and accounted
for 31 of 35 kills against fixed wing aircraft, and three additional helicopter victories. The Air
Force flew 59% of all sorties, with 50% of the assets and incurred only 38 % of the losses. The
mission capable rate for Air Force aircraft was 92 % --- higher than peacetime standards and a
testimony to the dedication of Air Force maintainers. Further the Air Force destroyed
communications, command and control, armor, and personnel/ logistics targets
throughout the theater and continuously hammered the Iraqi infrastructure.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Somalia: RESTORE HOPE

3 October 1993
On 3 Oct 1993, as part of Operation RESTORE HOPE, the First Battle of Mogadishu,
Somalia, took place—better known in the popular media as “Blackhawk Down.” The
battle was the result of a special operations plan to capture a warlord who had been
menacing the peace and seizing food and other aid from the starving population of
Somalia. Airmen played a special role in saving lives under extremely arduous
conditions. Pararescueman TSgt Timothy Wilkinson received the Air Force Cross for
heroism for his bravery in a 15-hour firefight—the First AF Cross received by an enlisted
Airmen since the Mayaguez crisis of 1975. After an Army MH-60 Blackhawk helicopter
had been shot down by a rocket propelled grenade, Sergeant Wilkinson conducted a fast
rope insertion into the crash site and came under extremely heavy enemy fire from three
directions. In the initial rescue effort, he repeatedly exposed himself to intense small arms
fire and grenades to clear debris, provide emergency medical treatment to the survivors,
and extract dead and wounded members of the crew from the wreckage. Combat
Controller SSgt Jeffrey Bray innovatively marked targets and ensured the survivors of the
crash and rescue made it through the night by calling in “Danger Close” airstrikes from
AFSOC gunships, which allowed the group to be extricated 4 October. For his valor and
coolness under fire, Bray received the Silver Star. A third Airman,
MSgt Timothy Fales also received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions
as a Pararescueman in company with TSgt Wilkinson.

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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Kosovo: ALLIED FORCE

24 March 1999 – 10 June 1999
During ALLIED FORCE, the United States led a NATO coalition to
liberate Kosovo from a Serbian invasion and to stem the tide of ethnic
cleansing which had plagued the Balkans for almost a decade. In the
process of the 2.5 month air campaign, the Air Force lost two aircraft,
but no pilots and the larger mission resulted in no loss of life for
coalition forces—an extraordinary achievement in the annals of air
power. Lt Col Dan Zelko survived a shoot-down in his F-117A
Nighthawk, Vega 31, 27 March 1999. The “Stealth” aircraft was hit
with a radar guided SA-3 missile when Lt Col Zelko opened the missile
bay and the aircraft began reflecting radar again. Then-Capt John A.
Cherrey led the Combat Search and Rescue mission in an A-10A
Thunderbolt II. In a daring effort Captain Cherrey closed on the
downed pilot and made a daring decision to proceed with the rescue
despite almost no visibility. For his effort, Cherrey received the Silver
Star; the first of two he has thus far received before being assigned to
HQ AETC.
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ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

ENURING FREEDOM: ANACONDA (Robert’s Ridge)

2-5 March 2002
Part of Operation Anaconda, the Battle of Takur Ghar 3-4 Mar 2002 was to be one of the most famous
engagements in contemporary AF history. ANACONDA had been designed to encircle and destroy
remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaeda retreating to mountain redoubts in South Eastern Afghanistan.
The operational plan misjudged the location and strength of the enemy Force at Takur Gar mountain, and
a planned insertion of a Special Operations force (Razor 3) landed near too enemy heavy weaponry, and in
the process of a rapid redeployment out of range, Navy Seal Neil Roberts fell to the ground after a barrage
of RPGs and heavy machine gun fire rocked their MH-47E, which was able to land three miles away. The
epic fight which ensued took place in trying to recover Roberts--another helicopter, Razor 4, picked up the
Razor 3 team at their forced landing site, flew them back to rescue Roberts on the 10,000-foot
mountaintop. TSgt John Chapman, a Forward Air Controller, helped lead the fight. After egressing from
Razor 4, Chapman advanced on an enemy position, killing two of the enemy. When the team became
pinned down by fire from three directions, Chapman broke cover to rush another enemy position, but was
killed. His action saved the lives of the team by allowing them to break contact and move down the
mountain away from the ambush. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross. An hour
later, another helicopter, Razor 1, arrived carrying a Ranger team and four Air Force personnel joined the
fight. SrA Jason Cunningham. Unfortunately, Razor 1 was hit with multiple RPG warheads and riddled
with machine gun fire that killed or wounded several of those onboard as it landed amidst a camouflaged
enemy stronghold. Cunningham, a Pararescueman, treated the wounded and moved them out of the
burning helicopter. For several hours, and without regard for his safety, Cunningham returned fire and
repeatedly moved casualties out of the line of fire. His actions to save others exposed him to
direct fire, and he was mortally wounded while carrying an injured helicopter crewman, bleeding
to death before he could be evacuated. Cunningham was also posthumously awarded the
Air Force Cross for his selfless acts.
www.airman.af.mil
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ENDURING FREEDOM: COMMANDO WRATH

6 April 2008
On 6 Apr 2008, then-SrA Zach Rhyner participated in the fierce ground battle of the Shok
Valley in Afghanistan as a Forward Air Controller. He was inserted into a village within
the valley embedded with Special Forces Operating Detachment A #3336. The team had
been ordered to hunt for an enemy insurgent leader, and Rhyner accompanied them to
direct air support if needed. Like the Battle of Robert’s Ridge, the force of Army Rangers
found itself exposed immediately under heavy fire from well-armed, concealed enemy
strongpoints. Members of the Special Force ODA team were hit rapidly and a pitched
fight ensued to tend to and extricate the wounded and dead. Rhyner called in close Air
Support from standby F-15E Strike Eagles, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, and AH-64 Apache
gunships. Over the course of the seven hour battle, Rhyner directed over 50 attack runs
on enemy strongholds—often as he was returning fire on the enemy. For his coolness
under extreme pressure, he was awarded the Air Force Cross. Capt Prichard Keely, a
Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) on a 335 FS F-15E was in constant contact with Rhyner
and helped direct the ground forces as enemy forces moved about the battle area, using
the Strike Eagle’s targeting pod as an observation tool. Keely won the Jabara Award for
Airmanship for his efforts in the battle.

www.airman.af.mil
ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

IRAQI FREEDOM: Baghdad

20 March 2003 – 15 December 2011
Over the course of almost a decade, the Air Force supported IRAQI Freedom in almost
every way possible, with Airmen, men and women, providing courageous service, from
close air support and covering sorties, to airlift aircraft that even supplanted ground
convoys to avoid IEDs and insurgent attacks along the long lines of communication. The
Air Force provided essential medical care from Balad and other points as needed within
the country. Airmen also replaced infantry and Army specialists in providing “in lieu of”
(ILO) support for traditional ground missions such as convoy support and fire
suppression missions. Security Forces Airmen, such as A1C Elizabeth Jacobson, found
themselves under attack repeatedly during their AEF rotations. Airman Jacobson*
became the first female Airman to be lost in active combat in OIF, 28 Sep 2005, when her
vehicle struck an IED near Safwan, Iraq. She received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart
posthumously, and the Goodfellow South Gate was named in her honor. Then-Capt
Kimberly Campbell provided close Air Support in an A-10 Thunderbolt II relatively early in
the war, pressing home attacks 7 April 2003 as ground forces were engaged in Baghdad,
Iraq. In the process of supporting advancing coalition troops, Campbell’s A-10 was
heavily damaged in the tail section by AAA, and she piloted her aircraft back to Kuwait
without hydraulic pressure in Manual Reversion—the first such landing
since DESERT STORM. For her heroic actions, she received the Distinguished
Flying Cross.

www.airman.af.mil *A1C Jacobson was assigned to the 17 SF at Goodfellow AFB

ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

Global War on Terror: Bagram AB

27 April 2011
Providing training in the field to the liberated Afghanistan National Armed Forces required
steadfast courage and unwavering commitment to service. On occasion, such trainees
had been infiltrated or turned in loyalty by insurgents, making the job of an Air Advisor
work only the stout of heart. It was a mission dedicated to the future prosperity of
Afghanistan and a selfless commitment on the part of America’s Airmen. Two such brave
and honorable Airmen were killed when a student turned Insurgent attacked Bagram Air
Base 27 Apr 2011. The 99th Flying Training Squadron’s Maj Jeff Ausborn, on duty for a
year’s deployment as an air advisor, was killed in the firefight along with Captain Nathan
Nylander, an Air Force Meteorologist. The shooter was an Afghan Colonel who was
trusted by the Air Advisor cadre, and he walked into a command center at Kabul Airport
and began to indiscriminately fire at men with whom he had built a friendly relationship.
Hearing the gunshots, Captain Naylor moved to the sound of the gunshots, drew his own
weapon and shot down the shooter. Unfortunately, as he tended to the wounds of his
wingmen, the shooter took aim and began to fire at Nylander and others while on the
ground. Nylander was killed helping his fellow Airmen, and doubtless saved many lives,
for which he received the Silver Star. Ausborn and seven others also died of their
wounds. Major Ausborn received the Bronze Star. Everything Airmen do requires
sacrifice.

www.airman.af.mil
ROFESSION OF ARMS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: LEGENDARY AIRM

USAF: Air Superiority

July 1972 - Present
With the initial operating capability of the F-15 Eagle, The United
States cemented its lead in air superiority for a generation, but really
continued a proud tradition which dates back to the Normandy
landings—America’s ground forces have been mostly safe from enemy
air action for 70 years. This superiority comes with a price: terror and
other enemy tactics that are designed to wrest away the initiative that
the world’s greatest Air Force enjoys—vigilance is required of all
Airmen. Since DESERT STORM, the leading Air Force Fighter aces
have been Capt Cesar Rodrigues, with three aerial victories: a MiG-23
and MiG-29 in DESERT STORM, and another MiG-29 aircraft over the
Balkans in ALLIED FORCE. Capt Robert “Wilbur” Wright also scored
three aerial victories over three Serbian J-21 Jastreb aircraft over the
Balkans in Operation DENY FLIGHT. The F-22 and F-35, so-called
Fifth Generation Fighters are designed to continue this
superiority into the distant future.

www.airman.af.mil