AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  Desert Storm
MODEL:  F-4G

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Kenneth G. Hanson for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an Electronic Warfare Officer on the night of 24 January 1991. On that date, Captain Hanson placed himself at great risk by providing suppression of enemy air defenses in support of a search and rescue effort for a downed United States Navy F-14 aircraft deep in west central Iraq. Captain Hanson launched on a night SCUD alert mission requiring ten, night, adverse weather, air refuelings while awaiting immediate tasking in the event of an Iraqi SCUD missile launch. Upon hearing that replacement F-4G Wild Weasels were weather delayed, he continued on station another three hours to cover their responsibility. While returning to base, after being airborne for seven hours, Captain Hanson learned that search and rescue forces were being engaged by surface-to-air missiles. Without regard to personal safety, Captain Hanson went deep into enemy territory providing support for orbiting F-16 and F-15 aircraft. Despite physical exhaustion, Captain Hanson's voluntary efforts prevented further loss of United States aircraft and assisted in the recovery of one United States Navy aircrewman. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Hanson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.