Page 73 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

MICHAEL A. CURLEY
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Michael A. Curley for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an A-10 pilot at Gioia del Colle Air Base, Italy, on 9 June, 1999. On that date, Captain Curley was Swine 92, mission number 4213F, an Airborne Forward Air Controller mission to the southwest sector of the Kosovo Engagement Zone. Shortly after entering the area, his flight lead prosecuted an attack on an array of six armored personnel carriers. As his flight lead was recovering from his bomb pass, Captain Curley observed a large flash and cloud of smoke one kilometer north of the target area, followed by a thick trail of smoke
heading directly towards Swine 91. Immediately recognizing the surface-to-air missile launch and danger to his flight lead, Captain Curley called, “Swine 91 Break, Flares!” His flight lead immediately initiated a break turn, expended additional self-protection flares, and visually picked up the missile as it passed directly behind him. Captain Curley noted the exact location of the launch in a tree line north of a small clearing and talked his flight lead’s eyes onto the area. Swine 91 elected to have Captain Curley attack the SA-9 vehicle since he had seen the precise launch point. As a result of his flawlesspass,CaptainCurley’sfourMK-82,500-poundbombshitthetarget. Thefluorescentgreenflaskofburningrocket fuel, subsequent secondary explosions, and thick black smoke after bomb impact, indicated the destruction of the high- value Serbian missile system. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Curley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
SUMMER 2020 / DFCS News Magazine / 73