2011 Mackay Trophy awarded

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  • National Aeronautic Association
WASHINGTON - --  Each year, the Mackay Trophy is presented to the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons, or organization.

The United State Air Force determines the winner and National Aeronautic Association presents the trophy to the winner for 2011 at the NAA Fall Awards Banquet, which was held on Nov. 13, 2012.

The winners of the 2011 Mackay Trophy are the crews of Pedro 83 Flight, who distinguished themselves in combat search and rescue operations on April 23, 2011 while assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

Pedro 83 Flight executed the daring rescue of two United States Army pilots downed in enemy-controlled territory east of Bagram. During infiltration, Pedro 84 was struck by enemy fire, severely injuring the flight engineer.

As Pedro 84 returned to base for medical treatment, Pedro 83 provided emergency close air support for pararescuemen on the ground, ultimately braving a hail of small arms fire to rescue a downed pilot. While low on fuel, damaged by enemy fire and battling multiple aircraft emergencies, Pedro 83 remained on scene until Pedro 84 returned with a reconstituted crew.

Pedro 84 made two attempts to recover the second pilot and their isolated pararescueman team, who were surrounded by insurgents, but was repelled by heavy enemy fire. Although Pedro 84 had been hit more than 10 times and two crewmembers received damage to their protective equipment, they remained overhead until Pedro 83 returned.

Pedro 83 flight made three approaches into the besieged landing zone, but was forced to go around after exchanging fire with a fortified enemy within 100 meters. On the fourth attempt, Pedro 83 was able to land and evacuate an Army soldier critically wounded during ground recovery attempts while Pedro 84 hoisted the second pilot and pararescueman team, successfully ending six hours of intense coalition rescue operations. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of the crews of Pedro 83 Flight reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.

Pedro 83 crew members to be honored include Maj. Joshua Hallada ,Flight Lead, 1st Lt. Lieutenant Elliot Milliken, Co-Pilot, Senior Airman Michael Price, Flight Engineer, and Senior Airman Justin Tite, Aerial Gunner.

Pedro 84 crew members to be honored include Maj. Philip Bryant, Mission Pilot, Capt. Louis Nolting, Tech. Sgt. James Davis, Tech. Sgt. Heath Culbertson, and Tech. Sgt. William Gonzalez.

Guardian Angel Team crew members to be honored include Maj. Jesse Peterson, Guardian Angel Team Commander, 1st Lt. Aaron Hunter, Combat Rescue Officer, Master Sgt. Matthew Schrader, pararescueman, Tech. Sgt. Joshua Vanderbrink, Tech. Sgt. Christopher Uriarte, Tech. Sgt. Shane Hargis, Staff Sgt. Jason Ruiz, Staff Sgt. Angel Santana, Staff Sgt. Nathan Greene, Staff Sgt. Zachary Kline, and Staff Sgt. William Cenna.

Maj. Joshua Hallada is a student of the 311th Training Squadron, which is part of the 517th Training Group, at the Presidio of Monterey, Ca. The 517th Training Group is a geographically separated unit that falls under the 17th Training Wing at Goodfeloow Air Force Base, Texas.

Maj. Hallada was also awarded the Silver Star Medal in July, 2012, for the same events.

"Article courtesy of National Aeronautic Association"