Bruce59
07-01-13, 07:18 AM
The Stars & Stripes (http://www.stripes.com/news/2-marines-first-osprey-pilots-awarded-distinguished-flying-crosses-1.228107) reports that Marines MAJ Michael Hutchings and CPT David Haake are the first Osprey pilots to earn the Distinguished Flying Cross for their actions over Afghanistan on June 27, 2012;
Hutchings led his section in flying a reconnaissance raid force into an enemy area, according to his award citation. When he was flying in the second wave of the force, his Osprey was hit by rocket-propelled grenades and medium machine-gun fire, causing extensive damage to critical flight control systems, the citation reads.
Yet Hutchings was able to land and unload the remaining recon Marines and fly his crew safely back to their base at Camp Bastion. Once back, according to the citation, Hutchings “quickly reassessed the extraction plan” and returned to the site of the battle to bring the recon Marines home.
Haake also flew Marines into the firefight, according to his award citation.
Their commander, MG Robert Hedelund, said that it was just Marines taking care of Marines and Hutchings, in a manner characteristic of real heroes, said “I couldn’t have done anything without my Marines”.
Hutchings led his section in flying a reconnaissance raid force into an enemy area, according to his award citation. When he was flying in the second wave of the force, his Osprey was hit by rocket-propelled grenades and medium machine-gun fire, causing extensive damage to critical flight control systems, the citation reads.
Yet Hutchings was able to land and unload the remaining recon Marines and fly his crew safely back to their base at Camp Bastion. Once back, according to the citation, Hutchings “quickly reassessed the extraction plan” and returned to the site of the battle to bring the recon Marines home.
Haake also flew Marines into the firefight, according to his award citation.
Their commander, MG Robert Hedelund, said that it was just Marines taking care of Marines and Hutchings, in a manner characteristic of real heroes, said “I couldn’t have done anything without my Marines”.