Bronze Star presented to AF Reserve rescue commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Cathleen Snow
  • 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla --  U.S. Air Force Reservist Lt. Col. Timothy Davis, 920th Rescue Wing here, was presented the Bronze Star Medal June 2 during a wing commander's call for his meritorious service while serving as the commander, 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan from June 1, 2011 - September 30, 2011.

During the deployment Davis led 134 Airmen to provide rapid personnel recovery and casualty evacuation capabilities for multinational ground forces in direct contact with the enemy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I had this incredible feeling of pride in knowing the kind of job these troops were doing and the immediate life-saving impact the aircrew, maintainers and support troops had on each and every mission," said Davis.

As the busiest and most mission-tasked rescue squadron, they were credited with flying 1,032 combat flights, totaling over 750 hours and saving over 333 lives while providing 269 medical assists. Forty five of the missions were considered high-risk while engaging enemy forces in the hotly contested Helmand Province Region.

"Seeing crews get briefed on the threat to them and still go running out the door to save lives, was unexplainable," said Davis. "Under fire," they piloted the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters landing in "some of the worst conditions imaginable."

At one point, "during Afghanistan's fighting season every helicopter was shot up in some manner," said Col. Damon Reynolds, 651st Air Expeditionary Group Commander, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.

A line from his medal citation read, "His masterful planning and mission-focused direction proved instrumental in his squadron's ability to quickly recover from battle-damaged aircraft and successfully execute the mission."

"(Davis) He's tactically competent, sound in the aircraft, and sound in his leadership," said Reynolds.

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