Page 19 - DFCS News Magazine Summer 2012

The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Kristian S. Thiele for extraordinary achievement while participat-
ing in aerial flight as F-16 Pilot in Wardak Province, Afghanistan on 8 December 2011. On that date, Major Thiele responded to an emergency situation where a five-man American and Afghan element had been engaged by heavy, effective small arms fire. The friendly element was unable to establish successful communication with any other ground forces, and Major Thiele was the sole communication link with the element’s joint forward observer. He immediately took command of the tactical situation by direct- ing aircraft sensor scans, acting as a commu- nication relay to the ground forces com- mander and joint terminal attack controller, planning for ad-hoc refueling, and de- conflicting airborne assets. As the enemy fire intensified, the ground forces began to repeatedly request ordnance from any on station fighters. After receiving a general bearing and range to the target, Major Thiele
made two identification passes to verify both the enemy and friendly position. With this data, he quickly communicated the situation to the tactical operations center and rapidly formulated a game plan to utilize a combina- tion of emergency and traditional close air supply procedures to immediately lay down suppression fire. Major Thiele executed two high angle strafe attacks which hit the tar- gets and provided lethal effects. Following the strafe passes, the friendly element quick- ly reported all firing had ceased. His imme- diate and decisive actions combined with his ability to place accurate fire on the enemy forces led the ground controller to state, “Viper 21, you are an angel from heaven! I am down to my last 15 bullets and one gre- nade, for myself. You saved our lives today.” The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Thiele reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
*book excerpt
*book excerpt
Page 19 The Distinguished Flying Cross News