AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  HH-60G

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (with Valor) to Captain Michael E. Madden for heroism in aerial flight while engaged in military operations involving conflict against an opposing foreign force as HH-60G Pave Hawk Flight Lead, 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, 1st Expeditionary Rescue Group, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, AI Asad Air Base, Iraq from 7 to 8 January 2020. During this period, as the Jolly 46 Flight Lead, Captain Madden exhibited superb airmanship and heroism during Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and the hostile Iranian ballistic missile attack on Al Asad Air Base. Preceding the attacks, Captain Madden led a forward alert mission evacuating American civilians at the Embassy in Baghdad. He returned to AI Asad amidst the base and Rescue Group evacuation under the threat of an imminent missile attack. In the projected strike threat window, Captain Madden rejoined with the Rescue Group's third HH-60G and executed a contingency self-refueling with no ground support. With all base aircraft scattering, he led his three-ship formation to an austere desert landing site and postured as the only available rotary support assets. After a risky ground lager, he witnessed missile launches over the horizon, and then reappear as the first missiles struck the base. Fearing casualties in the face of imminent danger, he courageously launched the three ship for AI Asad only to break away narrowly missing the second missile volley blast by less than a half mile. With the base calling for casualty and defense support, and critically low on fuel, Captain Madden executed the first of three on-call air-refuelings. With the uncertainty of follow on attacks, he led the flight back to AI Asad, deployed his Pararescue team, executed base security sweeps, and led the aerodrome damage assessment amidst chaotic fires and secondary explosions. After 13 .2 flight hours under exceptionally hazardous conditions and narrowly avoiding certain death, and while heroically committing his crew and team to extreme danger after two missile strikes, Captain Madden's actions helped secure the well-being of his crew, his team, and thousands of Al Asad Air base personnel following the first theater ballistic missile attack on United States citizens in over 30 years. The outstanding heroism, aerial skill, and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Madden reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.