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The Dragon Lady Meets the Challenge The U-2 in Desert Storm |
Appendix 2
Document 1
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Bryan K. Anderson for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as a U-2 Aircraft Commander in
western Iraq on 22 January 1991. On this date, Captain Anderson
was tasked by Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) to
precisely locate suspected Surface-to-Air (SAM) sites in a large
area of western Iraq. Although Captain Anderson had preplanned and
studied this mission, the sheer tasking of the mission necessitated
almost continuous dynamic retasking once airborne in the operating
area. Continual replanning of mission tracks for over nine hours
in a single-seat aircraft was significantly complicated due to the
vast area requiring imaging. Combat Air Patrol (CAP) was not
available for the entire region. Captain Anderson received his
initial targets from the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM)
ground site enroute to the operating area. Several hours later,
after imaging the area, Captain Anderson flew the aircraft so as to
reestablish link with the USCENTCOM ground site. Additional
tasking was given to pinpoint the exact locations of several
targets. Again, Captain Anderson flew back into the hostile area.
While enroute to the new track, Captain Anderson received a Mayday
call from a downed F-15E aircrew. Captain Anderson immediately
turned toward the approximate location given by the aircrew and
loitered in the area until he passed on the coordinates to the
Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft and
Search-and-Rescue (SAR) forces were activated. Still Captain
Anderson continued farther into Iraq to complete his mission.
Totally due to his extraordinary persistence he did, in fact, image
and provide the exact latitude and longitude of four SA-2 sites,
several SA-3 batteries, and numerous Anti-Aircraft Artillery sites.
All of the SA-2 sites were later confirmed as destroyed, one which
had not been indicated previously by any other intelligence source.
The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty
displayed by Captain Anderson during this extremely complex mission
reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. RECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 2
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Gregory D. Augst for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander near
Khafji, Saudi Arabia, on 30 January 1991. On that date, Captain
Augst flew a critical high altitude reconnaissance mission to
pinpoint Iraqi troops attacking United Nations Coalition forces.
Ground commanders, unsure of the precise scale of the attack, were
dependent on Captain Augst's current intelligence to formulate
Coalition strategy. Poor visibility and rapidly changing
circumstances made ascertaining clear imagery extremely difficult.
To accomplish the task, Captain Augst deviated from his preplanned
track and developed his own strategy for collecting the critical
data needed by Coalition ground forces. By using his high altitude
vantage point, Captain Augst determined that obstructing weather
would eventually move out of the area, leaving the target area
clear. But to remain on-station meant a lengthy extension to an
already extremely long flight. Despite this fact, Captain Augst
volunteered to extend well past his original mission recall time.
More importantly, instead of loitering over the cloud covered
target area, he utilized his time by imaging other areas that later
proved essential to the successful Marine campaign at Failaka
Island. Finally, with weather no longer a factor, Captain Augst
returned to Khafji and delivered clear photographic intelligence
that confirmed the small probing nature of the Iraqi attack.
Additionally, during this time Captain Augst played an active role
in the Search-and Rescue of a downed A-10 pilot evading behind
enemy lines. Placing himself at risk by maintaining radio contact
with the pilot, Captain Augst maneuvered around Surface-to-Air
Missile threats to obtain the exact location of the downed airman.
The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty
displayed by Captain Angst during this highly successful mission
reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
CHARLES W. HINKLE, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 3
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major Blaine L. Bachus be awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander near western Iraq on 12
February 1991. On that date, Major Bachus flew a high altitude
reconnaissance mission to locate and verify suspected fixed SCUD
sites. The importance of this mission was accentuated in that
intelligence had indicated previous SCUD missile launches from this
area were bound for Israel. While enroute to the area Major Bachus
received new tasking for a SCUD site in the Qasr Amij E area. He
planned and verified the proposed track and indeed changed the
track to avoid overflying Iraq Surface-to-Air Missile sites. For
the next two hours Major Bachus searched for and subsequently found
the Qasr Amij E SCUD fixed launchers. Shortly after his
verification of the site, the precise coordinates were passed to
United States Central Command's targeting cell for destruction by
airborne bombing assets. Later, same day imagery confirmed the
launchers were destroyed. With several hours remaining in his
flight, Major Bachus flew east in Iraq at the request of Army
Central Command to image three separate Iraqi artillery batteries.
United Nations Coalition forces had no imagery of these sites and
needed exact targeting data for strike force tasking. Bombing
missions were planned for all three sites; however, Major Bachus
discovered that only one of the batteries was operational and the
other two were mere decoy locations. With this timely discovery,
two elements of an airborne strike force were diverted to secondary
targets. The remaining element continued to the artillery battery
validated by Major Bachus and completely destroyed it. Major
Bachus, because of his quick thinking and precise airborne flight
planning during this one sortie, provided essential imagery leading
to the destruction of significant Iraqi armament. The professional
competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major
Bachus reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air
Force.
<signed>
CHARLES W. HINKLE, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major Charles D. Braymer be awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander near Khafji, Saudi Arabia,
and the southern border of Kuwait on 31 January 1991. On this
date, Major Braymer deviated from his preplanned mission track to
provide vital damage assessment of fighting in the town of Khafji.
United Nations (UN) Coalition ground commanders desperately needed
real-time information that only Major Braymer could provide from
his high altitude vantage point. During the following several
hours Major Braymer was able to confirm the exact disposition of
enemy forces in and just north of the town. He found over 50
percent of the Iraqi armor destroyed or disabled and pinpointed
exact locations of the remaining operable units. This information
allowed the on-scene UN Coalition commander to formulate overall
strategies that culminated in the sound defeat of Iraqi forces.
Although the desperate need for his unique imagery still existed,
Major Braymer was again retasked for an even higher priority target
area. Already several hours into his scheduled nine hour sortie,
Major Braymer repositioned his aircraft to aid in the
Search-and-Rescue of a downed United States Air Force C-130
aircraft. He knew the effort would extend him beyond his planned
duration but calculated exactly how long he could loiter with his
remaining fuel. For over an hour Major Braymer worked in concert
with several other airborne assets to pinpoint the exact location
of the crash site. Since only the general location of the C-130
was known Major Braymer steered his aircraft's sensors to search
large areas of land. Despite deteriorating weather conditions
caused by haze and smoke from oil fires, Major Braymer navigated to
image these areas from virtually every possible direction. Major
Braymer's efforts enabled other newly arrived airborne platforms to
concentrate their search on what proved to be the correct location.
The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty
displayed by Major Braymer reflect great credit upon himself and
the United States Air Force.
<signed>
CHARLES W. HINKLE, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 5
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Lieutenant Colonel James E. Burger be awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as TR-1 Aircraft Commander over Iraq
on 18 January 1991. On that date, Lt Colonel Burger was tasked to
locate and verify Iraqi SCUD launchers being used against Israel.
The international importance of this sortie, allowing Israel to
remain out of the conflict, made substantial success an absolute.
Israeli involvement could have shattered the somewhat tenuous
cohesiveness of the United Nations (UN) Coalition forces assembled
against Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's military forces. Although
the mission was planned to search large areas of Iraq, Lt Colonel
Burger was retasked in-flight to image a suspected concentration of
SCOD missile launchers deep into northern Iraq. Unlike any normal
mission, Lt. Colonel Burger had to coordinate, plan, and certify the
proposed changes to his mission. This task alone is not an easy
one, especially in the single-seat, high altitude environment.
Even so, Lt. Colonel Burger deviated from the planned orbit and
proceeded north, well into Iraq. Despite limited fuel reserves
from the long drive north, Lt. Colonel Burger managed to position
his aircraft so that on-board sensors enabled ground site personnel
to confirm the presence of ten SCUD missile launchers. The precise
latitude and longitude of each launcher was passed to United States
Central Command's targeting cell. Within one hour of Lt. Colonel
Burger's verification, all ten SCUD missile sites were destroyed by
a strike package of F-111, F-15, and B-52 aircraft. Entirely due
to Lt. Colonel Burger's intelligence imagery gathering, Secretary of
Defense Richard Cheney was able to brief the successful destruction
of SCUDs the next day. The professional competence, aerial skill,
and devotion to duty displayed by Lt. Colonel Burger reflect great
credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 6
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Domenick M. Eanniello be awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander near the
western border of Iraq on 19 February 1991. On that date, Captain
Eanniello heard radio transmissions indicating a United Nations
(UN) Coalition fighter aircraft had crashed behind enemy lines.
Despite having just completed an extremely long high altitude
mission, Captain Eanniello deviated from his planned route back to
base and established an orbit over enemy territory in the vicinity
of crash site. Despite knowing that multiple radio transmissions
could possibly give away his own position, Captain Eanniello
initiated repeated calls to the downed airman. Working with a
variety of airborne resources, he managed to establish radio
contact with UN Coalition Search-and-Rescue (SAR) teams. Even so,
the remote location of the suspected crash site necessitated
Captain Eanniello's presence on-station while an organized search
could be safely executed behind enemy lines. Realizing this,
Captain Eanniello began a series of manual fuel computations to
determine the exact amount of time he could remain on-scene.
Although fatigued from the long mission and subsequent loiter over
enemy territory, Captain Eanniello remained the focal point for all
SAR operations. Finally, having reached his absolute minimum fuel
to return to base, Captain Eanniello established contact with the
downed pilot and conveyed his position to SAR personnel already
enroute. Not long after his departure back to base, SAR personnel
successfully recovered the pilot. The diligence, perseverance and
courage displayed by Captain Eanniello exceeds that expected of any
professional airmen. This unusual and identifiable act of selfless
devotion to duty is deserving of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 7
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major Gary R. Edelblute be awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight as TR-1 Aircraft Commander in the Kuwait Theater of
Operations on 24 February 1991. On that date, Major Edelblute was
airborne as the only high altitude reconnaissance platform during
the start of offensive ground operations into Iraq and Kuwait.
Continually, Major Edelblute quickly responded to dynamic tasking
from the United States Central Command TR-1 ground site. With
substantial and exacting intelligence data compiled from previous
U-2tTR-1 assets the ground commanders knew where to concentrate the
offensive thrust. However, Major Edelblute was able to provide
hour-by-hour imagery updates of precise enemy front-line armor and
troop movements, exact assessment of inflicted damage, and Iraqi
strategies for second echelon reinforcements. The initial ground
campaign progressed faster than seemed possible. Due to this fact,
Major Edelblute was again asked to deviate still farther north into
Kuwait and eastern Iraq. Although this dictated a mission over
nine hours in his single-seat aircraft, Major Edelblute quickly
planned and verified the new mission track and provided an airborne
map of enemy locations, movement, and capabilities for United
States Marine forces as they continued to thrust north. On two
more occasions Major Edelblute extended his mission due to collect
absolutely essential imagery. Without hesitation, Major Edelblute
went far beyond normal demands of an airman and obtained imagery of
attacking ground forces that only he could provide. The
professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty
displayed by Major Edelblute reflect great credit upon himself and
the United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 8
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Nathan E. Green for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as a U-2 Aircraft Commander, near
Kuwait City on 29 January 1991. On that date, Captain Green was
specifically tasked by United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) to
obtain imagery intelligence of Iraqi troop concentrations and armor
locations in the Kuwait Theater of Operations (KTO). As the only
high altitude reconnaissance platform in the KTO, Captain Green was
required to deviate off of his preplanned track as additional
tasking was received from the USCENTCOM Senior Blade ground-site.
After more than six hours in the KTO Captain Green obtained imagery
of a group of Iraqi naval vessels moving south along the Kuwait
coast toward Saudi Arabia. Immediately the ground site alerted
USCENTCOM commanders via secure telephone. In the meantime,
Captain Green deviated off his track and given new coordinates to
establish an orbit off-shore from the position of the Iraqi
vessels. From his real-time imagery, the ground site was able to
pinpoint the present location of the vessels, establish the speed
and direction of movement, and indicate extent and configuration of
possible Iraqi armament. This precise data was continually
up-channeled to USCENTCOM. With the information in-hand, they
dispatched British Royal Navy helicopters with Sea Skewer missiles
to intercept the vessels. For this entire time, Captain Green
remained on the scene extended his sortie length beyond ten hours,
and, in fact, confirming the actual destruction of several vessels.
Captain Green's superb ability to quickly respond to dynamic
tasking and willingness to exceed the demands of a normal mission
enabled United Nations Coalition forces to negate any possible
tactical or propaganda advantage Iraqi commanders might have hoped
to gain. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion
to duty displayed by Captain Green during this highly successful
mission reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air
Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 9
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major David R. Hensley be awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight as TR-1 Aircraft Commander near, southeastern Iraq on
8 February 1991. On that date, Major Hensley flew a critical high
altitude reconnaissance sortie to provide specific targeting data
for United Nations (UN) Coalition forces. Enroute to his orbit
Major Hensley encountered a pressurization problem in the
aircraft's Q-Bay, the primary housing area for his inertial
navigation unit. Using a variety of techniques, Major Hensley
determined that by leaving the gear down, speed brakes out, and
power setting higher than usual, sufficient pressurization existed
to keep all systems on-line. Continuing on-track, Major Hensley
observed the launch of a SCUD missile from southeastern Iraq. He
maintained visual watch of the launch location and immediately
steered his aircraft in that direction. Major Hensley deviated
off-track into unknown or unconfirmed threat areas and passed the
approximate latitude and longitude of the launch location to the
sensor ground site. Unlike any normal mission, Major Hensley, while
airborne, plotted and verified a ground track to relay to the
ground site enabling them to develop a collection plan that would
ensure identification of the SCUD's location. Time and accuracy
were of the essence and Major Hensley provided both. In less than
one hour after his visual sighting, the SCUD launch site was
located, verified, and destroyed. With several additional hours
remaining to fly, Major Hensley returned to his original preplanned
track for more collection. Within a short time the ground site
identified a suspected ammunition dump in southeastern Iraq. Once
again Major Hensley deviated from course. With only a moment's
notice, Major Hensley developed a plan to position his aircraft to
enable the sensors to reacquire the suspected target. Despite
having to loiter over enemy territory for prolonged periods of
time, Major Hensley relocated the ammunition dump and pinpointed
its position for targeting. Later results showed the ammunition
dump was a forward location and, therefore a vitally important
target to prevent Iraqi resupplies going into the Area of
Responsibility (AOR). Even after all of his accomplishments while
responding to dynamic tasking, the ground site still had vital
targets left to image on the original orbit. Major Hensley
calculated his fuel reserves and extended his mission to enable all
remaining targets in the AOR to be covered. The professional
competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major
Hensley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air
Force.
<signed>
CHARLES W. HINKLE, Colonel, USAF
Commander.
Document 10
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Richard S. Jackson for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as a TR-1 Aircraft Commander over
Kuwait and eastern Iraq on 25 February 1991. On that date, Captain
Jackson flew a high altitude reconnaissance mission tasked by
United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) to precisely locate Iraqi
ground forces. The ground campaign continued at the initial
blistering pace into the second day. USCENTCOM ground commanders
desperately needed the current intelligence imagery and exacting
locations that only Captain Jackson's airborne platform sensors
could provide. He took off knowing that unlike any normally tasked
mission, once in the Kuwait Theater of Operations almost minute by
minute dynamic retasking and in-flight track planning and verifying
would be required. Immediately upon contact with the USCENTCOM
ground site, Captain Jackson was tasked to concentrate on Iraqi
armored units in northern Kuwait. Even though his new flight path
required Captain Jackson to fly over the confirmed Surface-to-Air
site at Basara, Iraq, he remained in the area to provide the
imagery. This imagery was continually passed through the USCENTCOM
ground site to the ground forces commanders as the battle was
waging. Strategic choke points were found as a direct result,
allowing United Nations (UN) Coalition Forces to initiate and
complete the planned flanking movement eastwardly to cut off the
Iraqi retreat out of Kuwait. The bulk of Iraqi tanks, armor and
artillery pieces and troops were captured. Due to Captain
Jackson's continually changing airborne tracks, the Iraqi ground
forces that were not captured were targeted and destroyed by UN
Coalition forces. The professional competence, continual aerial
skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Capt Jackson during this
highly successful mission reflect great credit upon himself and the
United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 11
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major John J. Jacobson be awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in J
aerial flight as TR-1 Aircraft Commander over southeastern Iraq on
28 January 1991. On that date, Major Jacobson was tasked to fly a
high altitude reconnaissance mission to pinpoint exact locations of
Republican Guard units in Iraq and the Kuwait Theater of
Operations. Repeatedly during the sortie Major Jacobson was
required to deviate from the mission track. He accomplished this
even though it meant flying the aircraft closer to known
Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) sites than planned. In fact, he flew
directly over an unconfirmed but operational SAM site in order to
accomplish the newly tasked imaging. Previous to this mission
other intelligence sources indicated that Iraqi forces would, as
another terror tactic, utilize SCUD missiles to launch attacks on
United Nations (UN) Coalition forces. Great concern existed that
these SCUD missiles would contain chemical payloads. The
implications of such an attack would be devastating and so the
priority tasking from United States Central Command to find SCUD
sites was obvious. While returning to his original orbit from an
incursion farther north into Iraq, Major Jacobson did indeed find
a battery of SCUD launchers. Again, he deviated from track and
remained in the area to image the site from all angles. Major
Jacobson verified a number of operational SCUD launchers. In fact,
one SCUD was being readied for use at that moment. Airborne bomber
assets were redirected to the precise location to attack each site.
Subsequent intelligence imagery confirmed the complete destruction
of the launchers and, as a result, no missiles were fired toward UN
Coalition forces on that night. The professional competence,
aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Jacobson
reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. . RECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 12
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Michael J. Masucci for award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander over Iraq
on 23 January 1991. On that date, Captain Masucci flew a critical
high altitude reconnaissance mission to determine the disposition
of enemy troops in Iraq. This sortie required Captain Masucci to
penetrate deep into northern Iraq in his single-engine aircraft,
outside the glide range of any suitable alternate. During the
flight, Captain Masucci was instrumental in advising the ground
site of breaks in cloud cover that allowed for maximum use of the
optical sensor carried on-board. When imagery revealed troops,
truck convoys, and artillery pieces, Captain Masucci established an
orbit allowing long-term collection to determine the destinations
of enemy movements and the rate of travel. On several occasions
Captain Masucci was -forced to maneuver extremely close to
Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) sites. Even so, he remained
on-station in precisely the right location. The intelligence data
derived from this imagery proved absolutely essential during the
early planning stages of the war. After more than seven hours of
collection, Captain Masucci was advised by an Airborne Warning and
Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft that a United States Air Force
F-15E had crashed behind enemy lines. AWACS controllers forwarded
a general location to Captain Masucci and requested his assistance
in searching for the downed crew. While continuing to avoid SAMs,
Captain Masucci deviated from his preplanned route of flight and
coordinated with ground site personnel to employ the sensor to aid
in the search. During this process Captain Masucci was required to
recalculate his fuel reserves so that a minimum fuel could be
established for return to base. Having accomplished the
computations, Captain Masucci volunteered to remain over enemy
territory well beyond his scheduled departure time. Although his
search proved unsuccessful, the selfless efforts displayed by
Captain Masucci at the completion of an already long sortie over
enemy territory are deserving of the recognition associated with
the Distinguished Flying Cross.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 13
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Mark C. McDonald for award of the Distinguished
Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in
aerial flight as TR-1 Aircraft Commander over Iraq on 22 February
1991. On that date, Captain McDonald flew a critical high altitude
reconnaissance mission to provide specific targeting data for
United Nations (UN) Coalition Forces. Once established on-track,
Captain McDonald observed the launch of a SCUD missile from
southeastern Iraq. As he watched the misdirected flight path of
the missile move closer to his aircraft, Captain McDonald initiated
an evasive maneuver to remain well clear. The missile detonated
within three miles of the TR-1 he was flying. With the visual
identification of an actual launch site, Captain McDonald proceeded
immediately off his preplanned routing to image the SCUD location.
Time and accuracy were of the essence and Captain McDonald provided
both. Unlike any normal mission, Captain McDonald, while airborne,
plotted and verified a ground track to relay to the ground site
enabling them to develop a collection plan that would ensure
identification of the SCUD missile site. Despite constant
maneuvering to avoid Surface-to-Air Missile threats, he positioned
the aircraft to facilitate a precise latitude and longitude of the
site. These coordinates were quickly passed to the United States
Central Command's targeting cell. In less than one hour after his
visual sighting, the SCUD launch site was located, verified, and
destroyed. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion
to duty displayed by Captain McDonald reflect great credit upon
himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 14
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major James M. Milligan, Jr. be awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in
aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander over Kuwait and
southeastern Iraq on 4 Feb 1991. On that date Major Milligan was
tasked to fly the second high altitude reconnaissance mission for
the war within lethal range of Iraqi SA-2s. [deletion] This
critical mission was tasked to photographically verify the presence
of SA-2 missiles at suspected SAM sites not visually verified
previously due to haze and smoke. Within minutes of entering the
lethal range of Iraqi high altitude air defenses, Major Milligan
received indications on his radar warning gear that he had been
acquired by an SA-2 target tracking radar. Major Milligan
immediately executed evasive maneuvers which successfully placed
him beyond the missile's range. Knowing the importance of imaging
all suspected SAM sites, Major Milligan calculated the nearest
point at which he could reestablish his route clear of the active
site. After continuing his route within range of suspected SA-2
sites for another sixty minutes, Major Milligan again received
indications on his radar warning gear that he had been acquired and
fired upon. Being in the center of multiple suspected SA-2 sites,
Major Milligan displayed uncommon situational awareness and
airmanship by maneuvering his aircraft to safety. Once again Major
Milligan reestablished his route and placed himself in grave danger
in order to accomplish the mission. As a result of Major
Milligan's persistence and disregard for personal safety, numerous
missile sites were identified and subsequently destroyed. In
addition, Major Milligan verified the absence of missiles at sites
previously reported [deletion]. The success of this mission was
directly responsible for opening previously denied airspace over
Kuwait and southeastern Iraq to subsequent U-2 sorties. These
sorties provided invaluable tactical intelligence which
substantially increased the quality of individual target
development and bomb damage assessment. The amount of high
resolution photography required for this intelligence increased
dramatically after Major Milligan's mission. The heroism and
devotion to duty displayed by Major Milligan during this extremely
hazardous mission reflect great credit upon himself and the United
States Air Force.
<signed>
RICHARD A. YOUNG, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 15
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Joseph G. Pacheco for the award of the
t Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as a TR-1 Aircraft Commander over
Kuwait and eastern Iraq on 22 February 1991. On that date, Captain
Pacheco flew a night high altitude reconnaissance mission to
locate, confirm and verify the strength of Iraqi Republican Guard
units. The general area of these forces were well known; however,
their mobility made pinpoint targeting extremely difficult. Later
events revealed precise targeting intelligence data was desperately
needed to allow United Nations (UN) Coalition Commanders to
significantly hamper the contribution of the Republican Guard in
the impending ground phase of Operation Desert Storm. To achieve
this goal, Captain Pacheco quickly responded to the dynamic tasking
by the United States Central Command's (USCENTCOM) ground site.
During this time, the ground site imaged a large concentration of
Republican Guard. Captain Pacheco established an orbit over
eastern Iraq, positioning the aircraft for optimum sensor
collection. Through the next hour, Captain Pacheco imaged Iraqi
tanks, armored personnel carriers and troops not sheltered in
fortified locations. As a result, the exact latitude and longitude
of the concentration were forwarded to the USCENTCOM targeting
Cell. In turn, they redirected airborne bombing assets to attack
these Iraqi assets. Subsequent intelligence confirmed the majority
of this concentration was destroyed. In fact, due to Captain
Pacheco's quick reaction to dynamic changes, more than 300 enemy
tanks were destroyed that night. The professional competence,
aerial skill, and devotion to duty during this extremely successful
mission reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air
Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 16
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Lieutenant Colonel Stephen M. Peterson be awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in
aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander over Kuwait and
southeastern Iraq on 31 January 1991. On that date, Colonel
Peterson flew the first sortie of the war in which a U-2 was tasked
to fly into the lethal range of Iraqi SA-2s. "deletion] This
critical mission was tasked to photographically verify the presence
of SA-2 missiles at numerous suspected SAM sites. While flying
greater than 70 minutes within lethal range of multiple suspected
SA-2 sites, Colonel Peterson identified which sites actually
contained missiles. These sites were subsequently destroyed. In
addition, Colonel Peterson discovered the absence of missiles at
sites previously reported "deletion]. The success of this mission
was directly responsible for opening the airspace over Kuwait and
southeastern Iraq to U-2 aircraft. As a result, subsequent sorties
provided invaluable tactical intelligence which substantially
increased the quality of individual target development and bomb
damage assessment. This high resolution photography required for
this intelligence was not being obtained prior to Colonel
Peterson's mission. In addition, Colonel Peterson imaged numerous
SA-3 and SA-6 sites which were subsequently destroyed. The
destruction of these sites resulted in safer skies for all allied
aircraft. The heroism, disregard for personal safety and devotion
to duty displayed by Colonel Peterson during this extremely
hazardous mission was an inspiration to his men and reflects great
credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
RICHARD A. YOUNG, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 17
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Captain Dan J. Sanders for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while
participating in aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander, near
Rumaylah Oil Field, Iraq, on 27 February 1991. On that date,
Captain Sanders flew a high altitude reconnaissance mission to
pinpoint Iraqi troop movements along Highway 8, west of Basrah,
Iraq. Upon arriving on-station, Captain Sanders was in formed of
a raging tank battle already in progress between elements of the
Republican Guard and members of the 24th Infantry (Mechanized)
Division. Captain Sanders deviated from his pre planned track to
avoid Iraqi Surface-to-Air Missile threats, visually acquired the
battle and positioned his aircraft to fully utilize airborne
sensors in a targeting role. As a result, friendly forces were
withdrawn to facilitate Apache and Cobra helicopter air-strikes
against offensive Iraqi action. During this period, Captain
Sanders encountered an in-flight malfunction rendering his aircraft
navigation system virtually useless. Despite having to hand fly the
aircraft above 60,000 feet while trying to establish a degraded
navigation capability, Captain Sanders was able to visually
identify an additional enemy build up moving toward the site of the
original battle. Even though he was already more than 12 hours
into his crew day, Captain Sanders volunteered to remain
on-station, advising United Nations Coalition forces of changing
developments. Once the ensuing attack was repelled, Captain
Sanders used his magnetic compass to navigate more than 600 miles
to base where, more than 15 hours after his initial crew brief, he
made a successful night landing. Final ground reports confirmed 187
enemy vehicles destroyed, including 23 T-72 tanks and 350 vehicles.
The immediate success of this mission, despite definite elements
that made continuation impractical, gained a tactical advantage for
friendly forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and
devotion to duty displayed by Captain Sanders reflect great credit
upon himself and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
CHARLES W. HINKLE, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 18
Distinguished Flying Cross
I recommend Major Kenneth H. Schopper for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement, while
participating in aerial flight as U-2 Aircraft Commander near the
Kuwait Theater of Operations on 10 October 1990. On that date,
Major Schopper observed the crash of an F-111 not far from a remote
air base in the desert. Despite having just completed a 10 hour
high altitude mission, Major Schopper deviated from his planned
route back to base and established a position overhead the crash
site. Realizing the recovery effort might require an extended
amount of time, Major Schopper employed procedures to conserve fuel
at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Working with a variety of airborne
resources, he managed to establish radio contact with United
Nations Coalition Search-and-Rescue (SAR) teams. Even so, the
remote location of the crash site necessitated Major Schopper's
presence on-station to, visually vector helicopters to the site.
Realizing this, Major Schopper began a series of manual fuel
computations to determine the exact amount of time he could remain
on-scene. Although fatigued from the long mission and subsequent
low altitude orbit with little pressure suit cooling, Major
Schopper remained the focal point for all SAR operations. Finally,
having reached his absolute minimum fuel to return to base, Major
Schopper successfully vectored SAR personnel to the site. Upon
return to home station, Major Schopper's fuel computations proved
precise. He was forced to shutdown the engine for fuel starvation
after bringing his aircraft to rest on the runway. The diligence,
perseverance and courage displayed by Major Schopper exceeds that
expected of any professional airmen. This unusual and identifiable
act of selfless devotion to duty is deserving of the Distinguished
Flying Cross.
<signed>
CHARLES W. HINKLE, Colonel, USAF
Commander
Document 1
Bronze Star Medals
I recommend Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Melvin, Major Stephen E.
Avery, Major Clayton Y.O. Wong, Captain Jeffrey M. Enoch, Captain
Hoby D. Fleece, Captain Byron E. Hall, Captain John N. Robinson
III, Captain Richard A. Switzer, and Captain Kevin D. Williamson
for award of the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service as
U-2/TR-1 Mission Developers, 1704th Provisional Reconnaissance
Squadron, near the Kuwait Theater of Operations from 17 January
1991 to 11 April 1991. During this period, these nine exceptional
officers developed and coordinated missions producing more than 50
percent of the reconnaissance imagery in-theater, a clear-cut 30
percent of the total United Nations Coalition intelligence data.
As mission developers responsible for high altitude overflights of
enemy territory, their contributions to the Gulf war were unique,
unparalleled, and absolutely essential to obtaining victory with
minimal casualties. Conservative estimates link the pre-invasion
discovery of over 4,000 Iraqi tanks, 1500 armored personnel
carriers, and literally thousands of troops to imagery collected on
missions devised by UA243~7Natismio~od4Y.lopem~telB~genb~s]datas
extremely difficult, but these officers met the challenge by
serving in a myriad of integral jobs ranging from plotting precise
sensor tracks on charts to coordinating missions with National
Command Authorities. Without exception, every mission involved
positioning a national asset and a pilot over enemy territory for
extended periods of time. In fact, during the 42 days culminating
with the ground war, 260 missions were flown and almost 3,000 hours
logged. Eighty percent of the flight time was spent over Iraq and
occupied Kuwait. More than 200 different tracks were devised,
drawn, analyzed for Surface-to-Air Missile threats, and executed
without error. At the onset of the ground campaign literally 60
percent of the missions flown each day were flown using newly
developed tracks. In many cases, mission developers answered last
minute tasking from United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) by
slashing normal response times by 70 percent--instead of a minimum
of 24 hours, pilots were launching with complete mission kits in
less than eight hours. Each one of these sorties involved building
new missions, coordinating for Combat Air Patrols, ground site r
sensor technicians, and Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems
support. Their extraordinary achievements reflect the kind of
teamwork and determination intrinsic to devoted professionals.
Officers like Lt Colonel Mike Melvin and Captain Byron Hall, who
used their computer expertise to program methods for breaking down
Air Tasking Orders, Special Instructions, and communications data.
And leaders like Major Wong, the expert on each sensors' unique
requirements, and Major Avery, the staff's most experienced mission
developer, who infused everyone with his own enthusiasm while
developing camera missions to meet specific tasking from USCENTCOM
Commander, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Superb work by Captains
Fleece and Enoch accounted for successful camera sorties, while
Robinson and Switzer proved experts at infrared and electro-optical
missions. Mission briefings and tactics updates were provided by
Captain Williamson. Each officer, regardless of rank or task,
strived to successfully launch aircraft on-time, obtain the data,
and safely recovery the pilot. Of the 260 combat sorties, 98
percent of the missions flown launched within five minutes of
scheduled takeoff time, and 99 percent of all missions flown by the
1704th proved effective. The exemplary leadership, personal
endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by these officers reflect
great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.
<signed>
THOMAS J. KECK, Colonel, USAF
Commander
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