AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  C-17A

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (with “C” Device) to Captain Andrew S. Perrella for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while engaged in military operations involving conflict against an opposing foreign force as Pilot, C-17 A, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 385th Air Expeditionary Group, Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar at Hamid Karzai International Airport on 30 August 2021. On that date, Captain Perrella was a Copilot for one of the five aircraft that departed Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar on the final flight into Afghanistan to land at Hamid Karzai International Airport. Upon arrival into the airspace surrounding Hamid Karzai International Airport, he observed air defense artillery, flares, and heavy machine gun fire on the approach, with further reports placing rooftop snipers in the area. Despite these hazardous conditions, he calmly coordinated approach and landing clearances with airborne command and control and the on-scene combat controller. Upon landing, he quickly secured the aircraft for the existing ground threat by expeditiously completing the complex ground maneuvering required. At the completion of ground maneuvers and full accountably of all remaining American forces onboard the aircraft, the order to depart the airfield was given. Assuming the risk for a departure with no controllers and a compromised airfield, his aircrew was one of the last five aircraft to depart Hamid Karzai International Airport. The leadership, courage, and decisiveness of Captain Perrella directly ensured the culmination of Allies Refuge, an operation that ultimately airlifted 124,000 individuals. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Perrella reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

2.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER WITH "C" DEVICE) to Captain Andrew S. Perrella for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot, C-17A, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, 385th Air Expeditionary Group, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar on 15 August 2021. On this day, Captain Perrella piloted a noncombatant evacuation mission in support of Allies Refuge and was personally exposed to significant risk of hostile action while flying into and out of Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan where a breach in the airfield's security perimeter placed him under constant threat of small arms fire and mobs of Afghan civilians desperate to escape. For hours, he and his crew navigated the airfield through thousands of people in order to offload 116 82d Airborne Division troops and on load 200 Afghan refugees, twelve more than the aircraft's designed maximum occupancy. While 82d Airborne Division vehicles led the aircraft to the runway, Captain Perrella reconfigured the aircraft while also clearing the aircraft from throngs of civilians desperate to board. Upon reaching the runway, he coordinated the timely application of United States military helicopters' rotor wash to expel civilians from the runway, enabling his departure. Displaying exceptional airmanship and courage, Captain Perrella executed a daylight tactical departure preventing unnecessary loss of life despite dangerous runway incursions by thousands of Afghan civilians. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Perrella reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.