82nd Combat Aviation Brigade pilots earn Air medals

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon | The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade leadership poses with medal recipients on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, April 26. Pictured from left to right: 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Farmer, of San Diego; 1st Sgt. Daniel Moesch, of Ithaca, N.Y.; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clifford Shaw, of Melbourne, Fla.; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Smith, of Little Falls, N.Y.; Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Briggs, of Toledo, Wash.; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley Greer, of Birmingham, Ala.; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Eckhardt; Lt. Col. Jeffrey Cheeks, Task Force Saber commander, of Franklin, Ga., and Col. T.J. Jamison, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade commander, of Broken Arrow, Okla. Each of the five pilots received awards for saving Afghan and American lives while under heavy enemy fire.  

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

04.26.2012

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Pahon 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Three 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade pilots earned Army Commendation medals with “V” device for valor on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, April 26.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clifford Shaw, of Melbourne, Fla., U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Briggs, of Toledo, Wash., and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jason Smith, of Little Falls, N.Y., earned the medals for their actions near the Pech river valley, Dec. 4, 2011.

Their two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters were tasked to support an Afghan National Army convoy that had come under heavy fire while attempting to recover three destroyed vehicles.

When they arrived, the team found enemy forces targeting the convoy from multiple points among steep terrain along the valley. The convoy was trapped between burning trucks and traffic as the enemy rained machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades down on them.

The Kiowas brought themselves low over the convoy, within the range of enemy fire, to ensure Afghan soldiers were in a safe area prior to engaging the enemy.

Because of the steep, narrow terrain, which is often found in the foothills of the Hindu Kush mountain range in eastern Afghanistan, the team had to perform a series of difficult and dangerous maneuvers to attack.

As soon as the lead aircraft engaged, enemy forces began firing at the helicopter. Briggs began his own attack to cover the lead aircraft, despite heavy fire directed at his own aircraft.

Both Kiowas continued to bombard enemy positions until, during the final engagement, a rocket from the lead aircraft ignited a secondary explosion, defeating the enemy ambush.

Each pilot was recognized for demonstrating uncommon valor, selflessness and composure under fire, neutralizing a complex attack on a disabled Afghan convoy, while destroying 10 enemy fighters in one of the most violent areas in Afghanistan, saving the lives of the Afghan soldiers below.

• Date Taken: 04.26.2012
• Date Posted: 05.01.2012 13:20
• Story ID: 87672
• Location: NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF
• Hometown: BROKEN ARROW, OKLAHOMA, US
• Hometown: ITHACA, NEW YORK, US
• Hometown: LITTLE FALLS, NEW YORK, US
• Hometown: MELBOURNE, FLORIDA, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: TOLEDO, WASHINGTON, US