News: 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade pilots earn air medals
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon Subscribe To This Journalist
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Four 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade pilots earned Air medals on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, April 26.
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Eckhardt, of Hastings, Neb., earned an Air medal with “V” device for valor. U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley Greer, of Birmingham, Ala., U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Matthew Steele, of Little Rock, Ark., and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Aaron Floyd, of Fayetteville, N.C., earned Air medals.
The four Task Force Saber pilots earned recognition for their accomplishments on Oct. 13, 2011 while supporting a ground unit in Kunar province, Afghanistan.
A ground unit was manning a small observation post when they came under heavy enemy fire from at least five positions. The pilots, flying two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters, coordinated with commanders on the ground to find the enemy and met heavy enemy resistance. Placing themselves directly in the enemy’s line of fire, they repeatedly engaged enemy forces despite the heavy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenades being launched at their aircraft.
They were able to direct the enemy’s fire away from the small ground unit and give them some reprieve.
While re-arming and re-fueling, the team intercepted a request to MEDEVAC wounded soldiers. They threw themselves back into the fight, exposing their aircraft to enemy fire once again, allowing MEDEVAC aircraft to land safely and extract wounded Afghan and coalition soldiers.
Throughout that night, the pilots pinned down the enemy, preventing enemy forces from overrunning the isolated observation post, saving American and Afghan lives in the process.
Connected Media
Date Taken:04.26.2012
Date Posted:05.01.2012 12:58
Location:NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF
Hometown:BIRMINGHAM, AL, US
Hometown:BROKEN ARROW, OK, US
Hometown:FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US
Hometown:FORT BRAGG, NC, US
Hometown:HASTINGS, NE, US
Hometown:LITTLE ROCK, AR, US
Hometown:RALEIGH, NC, US
Hometown:SAN DIEGO, CA, US
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