AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  MC-130H

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Technical Sergeant William A. O'Brien for heroism while participating in aerial flight as MC-130H Personnel Recovery Pararescueman/Casualty Evacuation Coordinator, attached to the 7th Special Operations Squadron, Joint Special Operations Air Detachment North Constanta, Romania on 22 March 2003. On that date, he departed a forward operating base in Jordan to commence the first fixed wing mission of the northern offensive as part of the high risk, strategically vital mission to insert the first United States Special Forces troops into northern Iraq. With no indigenous or coalition search and recovery airframes available, Sergeant O'Brien, assigned to chalk four of the six-ship infiltration armada, served as the sole Personnel Recovery option, enabling infiltration of Special Operations combat troops into Iraq during the initial push of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The infiltrated troops were critical in keeping sixty five percent of Iraqi forces occupied in the north, easing the coalition's southern advance. His historic flight began with 590 miles of grueling low-level flight, the longest low-level combat infiltration in any airframe since World War II. He flew as low as one hundred feet through unreported, entranced enemy camps and defensive positions, facing a harrowing barrage of anti-aircraft artillery. All thirty anti-aircraft sites fired deadly projectiles over, under, and down the sides of the aircraft. At one point, the aircraft took aimed, directed fire from ten o-clock, then seven to nine o'clock and finally from all quadrants simultaneously. The aircraft was struck by two projectiles, sustaining minor damage. Throughout the six distinct engagements, Sergeant O'Brien monitored the medical status of aircrew and passengers, maintaining calm onboard the aircraft and ensuring physical and mental readiness of aircrew members and infiltration troops until landing. On the ground, he assisted expeditious offload of combat troops and equipment in the dark of night. Sergeant O'Brien then contacted the Landing Zone controller and ground element personnel assessing the need for medical evacuation of injured personnel at the Landing Zone. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant O'Brien reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.