An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

McConnell crew members receive Distinguished Flying Cross

  • Published
The 15 hours a McConnell KC-135 aircrew spent giving and receiving gas yielded great benefits for its receivers during one of the first airborne assaults of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Their professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty were recognized not only by their fellow comrades, but also by the 18th Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. William Welser III, during an 18th AF Commanders Call at McConnell AFB Dec. 7.

The crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Two of the crew members, Capt. Mark Adams and Tech. Sgt. Justin Johansen, both from 384th Air Refueling Squadron, were presented with the medals here.

The DFC is given to aircrew members who display heroism or extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.

According to the crew, only the most experienced from McConnells Special Operations Air Refueling Crews were sent to support the operation.

Its an honor to receive this award, but it was really a team effort, said Captain Adams. Any of the eight aircrews that went over could have done the same thing."

Flying one of only eight air refuelable KC-135s in the Air Force inventory, they were the lead crew launched in support of the first concentrated airborne special operations assault of OEF. Using night vision goggles, minimum exterior lighting and communications-out procedures, the pilots repeatedly onloaded fuel from sister KC-135s and then flawlessly provided fuel to an armada of C-130 aircraft about to engage in direct combat with enemy forces, all at extremely low altitudes.

The mission challenged the crew members to pull from their experience and training.

All through the night we were up and down, said Sergeant Johansen. Wed go down low and off-load to the C-130s, and then wed climb back up and take on more fuel."

Their efforts during that critical mission enabled special operation forces to complete 100 percent of the required airdrops and critical close air support of the first ground force insertion into Afghanistan.

We didnt have time to think about the threat, we just had a job to do, and we did it," Sergeant Johansen said. "We knew if we didnt do our jobs our customers wouldnt be able to get on the ground to do theirs."

Other members of the crew -- who are no longer stationed at McConnell -- include: Maj. William Stowe, aircrew commander, and Capt. Jason Havel, navigator, both from the 54th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus AFB, Okla.; and Capt. John Lucas, extra pilot, 93rd ARS, Fairchild AFB, Wash.

This highlights the importance of air refueling and the criticality of what we bring to the fight," said Col. Cathy C. Clothier, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Im very proud of our KC-135 wing and the job we do, day in and out."

Air Mobility Command News Service is a service of the Internal Division
Office of Public Affairs
503 Ward Drive, Room 214
Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 62225-5335
618-229-7821