AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  F-15E

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (WITH VALOR) to Lieutenant Colonel Curtis B. Culver for heroism in aerial flight while engaged in military operations involving conflict against an opposing foreign force as Squadron Commander and F-15E Evaluator Pilot, 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, from 13 April 2024 through 14 April 2024. During this period, Colonel Culver flew in a two-ship formation of F-15E Strike Eagles and served as the senior airborne commander in a large-force Coalition Defensive Counter-Air mission to defeat an Iranian attack comprising over three hundred ballistic missiles, cruise missiles. and one-way unmanned aerial systems. During the opening phase of the attack, he intercepted a hostile drone swarm at low altitude and in complete darkness. Within a period of twenty minutes. Colonel Culver employed every one of his aircraft's air intercept missiles with one hundred percent effectiveness. achieving eight air-to-air kills against the swarms of attack drones. Out of missiles, he then attempted a ninth drone engagement, employing a laser-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition. Recognizing that the continuing onslaught of drones would overwhelm Coalition fighter aircraft, he returned to base to refuel and reload. During his engines-running reload, he remained in his aircraft during Alarm Red conditions, despite warning of an imminent missile impact. Colonel Culver launched for his second sortie as two PATRIOT missiles, launched from his base, ascended in close proximity to the runway and Iranian ballistic missiles and Israeli interceptors coursed through the sky overhead. Navigating through active air defense artillery and falling debris, he returned to the fight, ensuring mission success for the Coalition. Colonel Culver’s actions played a vital role in blunting Iran's large-scale attack against Israel, protecting Coalition forces, saving countless civilian lives, and ultimately preventing a larger regional conflict. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Culver reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.