Rescue, getting it done as usual! 2 Silver Stars.

[SocialD]

Proving yet again, why they should never have to pay for :beer:

https://www.kadena.af...sp?id=123310901

7/22/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Two former Kadena combat search and rescue pilots were presented the Silver Star medal at the 19th Air Force's inactivation ceremony July 12 here.

Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., the commander of the Air Education Training Command, presented the third highest military decoration to Majors Philip Bryant and Joshua Hallada for their participation in a recovery mission of two Army pilots who were downed in the Allasay Valley, an enemy controlled area east of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on April 23, 2011.

According to the citations, Hallada and Bryant distinguished themselves "by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force," while leading HH-60G Pavehawks to recover the downed pilots.

"The people who do this mission are not common people," Rice said, citing combat search and rescue member's commitment to leave no one behind and ability to demonstrate "valor in the face of the enemy."

Hallada's team inserted pararescue teams, while taking enemy small-arms fire that damaged the aircraft and seriously injured his flight engineer. After directing his wingman to return to base, Hallada flew multiple weapons passes, defending his teams on the ground and killing at least one insurgent. Hallada used overhead AH-64D Apache attack weapons teams as cover to attempt rescue of his teams and the distressed pilots.

During the rescue, enemy fire disabled the aircraft hoist causing Hallada to execute a one-wheel landing to recover one of his two teams and one of the downed pilots. Hallada then took heavy fire that caused severe damage to his aircraft. Hallada continued to provide cover for his team members and the remaining pilot still at the crash site. He then transferred his crew to a fresh aircraft and directed his formation back to the crash site.

"We were just getting it done," Hallada said. "We look at it as our job; this is why we're here. And we do it on the backs of our crews. Our crews were the backbone of the mission."

Bryant's aircraft was engaged by enemy fire that seriously wounded his flight engineer and caused severe damage to flight control systems of the aircraft. Bryant maneuvered to escape and assessed the flight engineer's injury and immediately directed his aircraft back to base, for the injured engineer to receive life-saving medical care.

After obtaining a replacement crew member, Bryant rejoined the fight and attempted extraction of one of the isolated pilots and team who were now pinned down by enemy fire. His aircraft was engaged from both sides, with rounds striking two of his crew members and missing his own head by inches. Bryant then coordinated with AH-64D Apache attack weapons teams to cover a single-ship rescue. His aircraft was once again targeted and received heavy enemy rounds.

Hallada and Bryant led their aircraft back to the crash site five more times into enemy fire, and ultimately recovered the downed pilots, the pararescue teams and a Soldier critically wounded in the effort.

"There are so many other stories besides ours," Bryant said. "It's a tremendous honor (to receive the Silver Star). I'm very honored and humbled, but we never would have accomplished the mission without our attack assets."

Editor's Note: The details of the successful rescue were taken from the Silver Star citations for Hallada and Bryant.

Edited July 24, 2012 by SocialD

[Marco]

Shit Hot!

[RescueRandy]

As a proud former Pedro, all I have to say is "Git 'er done!" Way to hack the mish.

[Breckey]

I believe all of these recent medals are from the same rescue, the 2011 Jolly Green Award mission

[stract]

yes, they are.

[Whitman]

:beer: To the Pedros. I was at BAF at the time and remember watching this rescue unfold from the ground. Incredible work guys.