AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  UH-60L

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Ronald G. Lukow, for heroism while serving as a UH-60L pilot and Air Mission Commander in support of an Italian and Afghan Special Force's emergency extraction air assault on 02 October 2010 in Kharaba-I-Khwaja Mu, Afghanistan. With disregard to his own safety and without hesitation, LTC Lukow flew his aircraft through an enemy held canyon to an unsecured pickup zone and calmly directed that the mission continue to permit the successful emergency extraction of 91 soldiers. LTC Lukow's heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself, United States Forces – Afghanistan, and the United States Army.