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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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