AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  F-35A

Citation:  1.) By direction of the President for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight the following individual is awarded THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (WITH ''C'' DEVICE). Major Alexander U. Cox distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-35A Weapons Officer and Mission Commander at 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 20 April 2025. On that night, Major Cox served a critical role in planning and executing a multi-axis attack on a heavily defended region containing known active surface-to-air missile threats and anti-aircraft artillery. Due to the fuel requirements from a long transit through enemy territory, Major Cox directed a first-of-its-kind tanker drag tactic along the border of Houthi Controlled Territory, demanding his formation provide defensive counter air while simultaneously executing suppression of enemy air defenses. Furthermore, the nature of the mission made traditional egress impossible, forcing the formation to continue through enemy territory without regard to enemy threat conditions. On ingress, Major Cox experienced a severe display system degradation, forcing him to simultaneously troubleshoot the malfunction and plan flexible employment options from other members of his flight to achieve mission success. At the same time, Major Cox's wingman was experiencing near total radio failure, requiring Alexander to manage his wingman’s malfunction while directing the package's flow. Mere minutes before employment, Major Cox rectified his sensor malfunction, enabling him to employ on his assigned targets. The nature of the targets drove the requirement for two separate attack axes involving precise release parameters and overflight of known, hostile anti-air weapons. While approaching the release points, their formation encountered hostile fire when an anti-aircraft artillery engagement radar threatened them, prompting multiple reactive employments from the strike package. Continuing amidst ongoing engagements, and without regard for his own personal safety, Major Cox proceeded to employ his weapons on target, crippling the site and achieving 100 percent of desired weapons effects. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Cox reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (WITH ''C'' DEVlCE) to Major Alexander U. Cox for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States over the Islamic Republic of Iran, as Mission Commander, 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, on 21 June 2025. On that date, Major Cox served as Mission Commander for Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER, a daring nighttime strike at the heart of the nuclear program of an avowed enemy of the United States, while personally leading a formation of four F-35As tasked with providing suppression of enemy air defenses. After departing a forward-deployed location, Major Cox expertly reorganized the aerial refueling gameplan for the entire mission, deconflicting all aircraft from Miniature Air-Launched Decoys and mitigating tanker delays caused by diplomatic clearance issues. Major Cox led his four-ship on the leading edge of friendly forces into enemy airspace and at significant personal risk, he began sweeping for unlocated enemy surface-to-air threats hundreds of miles inside enemy territory. The strategic bombers’ routing demanded that Major Cox lead his flight directly over the enemy’s most concentrated air defenses, posing grave risk to his life and his aircraft. Major Cox valiantly led across more than six hundred miles of contested airspace and spent over 90 minutes in enemy territory. Furthermore, after an enemy surface-to-air system targeted his wingman, he swiftly relocated additional friendly aircraft ensuring the safety of the strike package. Major Cox then led the employment of more than 20 air-to-ground munitions against enemy systems that threatened the strategic bombers. His efforts ensured the aircraft reached their targets, delivering four hundred and twenty thousand pounds of specialized ordnance. Finally, his astute flight leadership ensured the strike package’s safe egress from hostile airspace. This historic mission was hailed as “a spectacular military success” by the President of the United States, receiving direct praise from the Secretary of the Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, and directly contributed to the ceasefire which ended the Twelve Day War between Iran and Israel. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Cox reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.