Page 32 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2

2018 US Navy Tailhook Convention (Cont’d.)
Lt. Cmdr. Mike Tremel Awarded DFC
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Michael Q. Tremel, United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight under combat conditions as an F/A-18E pilot serving with Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT SEVEN in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. On 18 June 2017 Lieutenant Commander Tremel was flight lead and mission commander of a section of aircraft assigned to support coalition ground forces near Ar Raqqah, Syria. Entering a complex battlespace populated with aircraft from multiple nations and other U.S. military services, he learned from the joint terminal attack controller the coalition ground force was engaged with Syrian regime forces. While monitoring a Russian SU-35 Flanker operating above him, Lieutenant Commander Tremel identified a Syrian SU-22 FITTER closing quickly on the coalition ground force. He executed three warning passes with flares, but the FITTER disregarded the warnings and delivered ordnance on the coalition ground force. Lieutenant Commander Tremel immediately fired two air-to-air missiles that destroyed the FITTER and protected the coalition force from further threat. By his superb leadership, skilled airmanship, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Lieutenant Commander Tremel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
32 / DFCS News Magazine / WINTER 2018