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 to Captain Zachery D. Farner for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force as F-15E Instructor Pilot, 391st Fighter Squadron, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, on 19 June 2025. During this period, Captain Farner was tasked with a large-force Coalition Defensive Counter-Air mission in support of Operation SHIELD WALL to defeat Iranian attacks during the 12-Day War. With intent to defend his base, he ordered his formation to retrograde and assist the Base Air Defense Center to target groups of drones to alert fighters carrying AGR-20F ordnance. Additionally, he deconflicted the other airborne fighters and air refueling platforms in the lane. Due to only being armed with air-to-air missiles, Captain Farner elected to move his formation between the base and the forward fighters, providing radar targeting data for 15 one-way attack drones to the priority fighters. Identifying a drone pass under the forward formations, Captain Farner skillfully maneuvered into the low altitude environment to engage the threat, destroying it with an air-to-air missile prior to it entering the Base Defense Zone. He then directed the priority alert fighters to refuel from his assigned KC-135 Stratotanker, while directing the squadron operations supervisor and maintenance to establish an integrated combat turn capability for his formation to re-arm and refuel. He deftly staggered their landing times to provide constant coverage in the lane, spending 17 minutes on the ground before launching back into the fight. He and his formation then manned their third Combat Air Patrol for the day prior to returning to base. Landing amidst on-going fire, he worked with maintenance personnel to secure his crew and aircraft during an overhead short-range air defense battery engagement of a one-way attack drone. The airmanship and tactical patience exhibited by Captain Farner ensure the destruction of 23 Iranian attack drones, the single largest engagement of the 12-Day War, protecting U.S. military personnel, innocent civilians and Coalition forces. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Farner reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.