An airman has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for quick action taken in 2019 in Afghanistan. Master Sgt. Zachary Cooper was on a force protection mission against Al Qaeda and the Talaban in February 2019.
Cooper’s unit was the only aircraft in the air when units on the ground came under fire in Helmand Province. He fixed the main weapon onboard so they could continue firing. Ultimately, Cooper called in strikes by F16s. The aircraft remained in the area to direct medical crews to retrieve two troops who were seriously wounded. Roughly 180 US and partner forces were on the ground during the intense fighting.
Because Cooper was a tactical systems operator, many of the details of the operation remain classified, according to the Air Force. Cooper was given the award earlier in the month at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
“It was one of those nights, like many others, where things just clicked for us as a team and we were able to do the right things, at the right times. It really was a team effort and the professionalism of all involved was second to none,” said Cooper, in a statement put out by the Air Force.
Cooper is part of the 363rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing. The Distinguished flying cross is the nation's highest award for aerial achievement.
