Page 72 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

MICHAEL J. STOCK
The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael J. Stock for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-10C Pilot, 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 451st Expeditionary Operations Group, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan on 2 December, 2010. On that date, Captain Stock displayed exemplary gallantry as Flight Lead of two A-10s providing close air support for 75 embattled coalition forces. While conducting overwatch of maneuver elements, Captain Stock located an insurgent scouting the coalition position. In order to negate the possibility of civilian casualties due to air delivered fire, he quickly talked
a sniper team onto the enemy position, enabling them to neutralize the threat with organic assets. Soon thereafter the enemy ambushed the coalition force with a barrage of rocket propelled grenades and machine gun fire from multiple directions and distances as close as 30 meters. Within seconds, Captain Stock coordinated with the Joint Terminal Attack Controller for multiple strafe attacks and, in order to mitigate the risk to friendly forces and increase the accuracy of his fire, elected to engage from low altitude along a restricted axis, rendering himself predictable to enemy fighters observed to be firing at his aircraft. Ultimately, he led the flight through 13 strafe attacks, expending 2,300 rounds of 30-millimeter bullets onto four enemy locations of which he personally executed seven attacks and expended 1,150 rounds, resulting in 32 enemy killed with zero coalition losses. Captain Stock’s ability to deliver devastating firepower in close proximity to friendly forces, without regard to his own safety, saved the lives of 50 Marines and 25 United States Special Forces Soldiers and Airmen. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Stock reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
72 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020