| Advertisement |
|
|
Three Alaska Air National Guardsmen with the 212th Rescue Squadron received medals for their heroic actions in Afghanistan.
Senior Master Sgt. Christopher "Doug" Widener, Master Sgt. Brandon Stuemke, and Staff Sgt. Aaron Parcha were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor because they displayed heroic and extraordinary achievement while in combat during an aerial flight.
"During the span of five days these warriors, these pararescuemen, flew 25 missions retrieving a total of 49 U.S. and coalition personnel, with 11 of those personnel deceased," said 212th Rescue Squadron commander Maj. Joe Conroy. "Nineteen of the personnel they retrieved were rescued by conducting a hoist insertion and extraction, often under heavy fire from the enemy."
The awards ceremony took place at the Talkeetna Theater on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Saturday.
Contact Jessica Ridgway