Kabul evacuation yields awards for hundreds more mobility airmen
By Rachel S. Cohen
Thursday, Dec 21
Distinguished Flying Cross medals are displayed during a ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, California, Dec. 9, 2022. (Heide Couch/Air Force)
Another batch of nearly 300 airmen will receive military awards for their actions during Operation Allies Refuge, the U.S.-led evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan in 2021, the Air Force announced Wednesday.
The latest round of medals includes 12 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Pentagon’s highest award for extraordinary aerial achievement; four Bronze Stars, including one with a device signifying valor; 208 Air Medals, for especially noteworthy acts in flight; and 73 Meritorious Service Medals, for heroism or similarly significant accomplishments.
Hundreds more airmen to receive medals for roles in Kabul evacuation
The announcement marks the largest batch of awards to date for the airmen who participated in Operation Allies Refuge.
By Rachel S. Cohen
Most of the decorations denote involvement in combat.
The awards honor the airmen’s “highest-caliber bravery and tenacity” during the largest evacuation of noncombatants in Air Force history, spokesperson 1st Lt. Peyton Craven said.
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2023/12/21/kabul-evacuation-yields-awards-for-hundreds-more-mobility-airmen/