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Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein, speaks during a dual Air Force Cross ceremony, April 20, 2017, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Master Sgt. (Ret.) Keary Miller, a retired Special Tactics pararescueman from the Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, and Chris Baradat, a combat controller since separated, both received Air Force Crosses for their actions in combat, which were upgraded from Silver Star medals after a service-wide review. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)

History made with CSAF presentation of service’s top valor medal

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein, speaks during a dual Air Force Cross ceremony, April 20, 2017, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Master Sgt. (Ret.) Keary Miller, a retired Special Tactics pararescueman from the Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, and Chris Baradat, a combat controller since separated, both received Air Force Crosses for their actions in combat, which were upgraded from Silver Star medals after a service-wide review. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)

Related Imagery

Members of the Special Observances Council hold a meeting Aug. 10, 2017, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The council focuses on fostering resilience, cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness, and encourages diversity on installations. More than 20 service members attended the first meeting. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lynette M. Rolen)

Spooky 43 consisted of 14 AC-130U gunship crewmembers. The aircrew conducted 19 “danger close” attacks, consistently placing lethal fires to within 10 meters of the severely wounded and outgunned friendly force. The firepower exceeded cooling requirements on the 105mm Howitzer cannon, risking potential detonation inside the aircraft. The crew managed the temperature of the Howitzer while continuing the firefight with the 40mm cannon, despite multiple weapon malfunctions. Expert coordination enabled the crew to manually fire rounds to defeat the enemy. In the end, the crew saved 50 lives and was awarded the MacKay Trophy. (Courtesy photo)

Staff Sgt. Richard Hunter, a 23rd Special Tactics Squadron combat controller, was ambushed while embedded with an Army Special Forces team and their Afghan partners in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. He coordinated close air support strikes, deconflicted airspace, and maximized fire support from overhead gunships. In the middle of the chaos, Hunter led a fire team back into the kill zone to recover a wounded teammate. He directed airstrikes with a radio in one hand while dragging the rescued team member 30 meters to safety with his other hand. (Courtesy photo)

Staff Sgt. Christopher Lewis, a combat controller at the 23rd STS, was embedded with a Navy SEAL team. They were ambushed from three locations when they entered enemy-held territory. Over the course of the firefight, Lewis engaged the enemy at close range on three occasions within 100 meters and directed four precise airstrikes. This provided his team crucial air coverage and eliminated more than 20 enemy forces. He has been recommended for the Silver Star Medal for his actions. (Courtesy photo)

The Special Operations Surgical Team (SOST) provided care for more than 750 patients, managed 19 mass casualty events, performed 16 life-saving surgeries, and cared for casualties exposed to chemical weapons in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Each member of the team has been submitted for Bronze Stars for their courageous actions and exemplary performance in saving hundreds of lives during continuous 24-hour medical operations over an eight-week period. (Courtesy photo)

Staff Sgt. Christopher Brooks, a Tactical Air Control Party Airman with the 17th Special Tactics Squadron, was conducting a time-sensitive raid in pursuit of a high-value target when he was caught in a complex ambush. He called in dangerously close fires from an AC-130 gunship and directed his assault force to fall back and take cover. He risked his life to mark the hot landing zone so his injured teammates could be evacuated by helicopter. The airpower he directed, with little regard for his personal safety, eliminated enemy forces with no collateral damage. (Courtesy photo)

A U.S. Air Force 17th Special Operations Squadron combat systems operator flies as an observer on a No. 37 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules during a dissimilar formation flight a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II July 12, 2017, over Queensland, Australia. The development of dissimilar formation tactics, training and procedures enables greater interoperability between the U.S. and Australian militaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jessica Tait)

Senior Airman Ryan Conroy
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