AWARDED DFC: 2
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  F-15E

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Steven W. Speares for heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-15E Pilot, 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing near Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar on 3 April 2003. On that date, during an eight and a half hour sortie, Lieutenant Speares executed three different missions in four separate target areas, destroyed two SCUD surface-to-surface transporter erector launchers, an Iraqi tank, and expertly avoided multiple surface-to-air missile launches and a myriad of anti-aircraft artillery in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. After searching the first target area for 40 minutes, Lieutenant Speares' flight was then reassigned to search for enemy armor on the west side of Baghdad. Immediately upon entering their new working area, Lieutenant Speares engaged and destroyed an enemy tank in the extremely hostile Baghdad missile engagement zone. While engaging these tanks, Lieutenant Speares observed and alerted his flight to a surface-to-air missile launch, enabling them to react and avoid the site on future attacks. To ensure the destruction of the remaining enemy assets, the flight coordinated a handoff of the remaining armor positions to a flight of A-10 aircraft while en route to air-to-air refueling. Even though their vulnerability time was over, the flight immediately accepted a retasking to investigate possible surface-to-surface missile sites in Baghdad. Lieutenant Speares' aircraft swiftly searched out and positively identified three transporter erector launchers and their support equipment. Lieutenant Speares destroyed two of the launchers and one support vehicle while avoiding antiaircraft artillery fired directly at his aircraft. In the final target area of the mission, Lieutenant Speares observed and avoided multiple surface to air missile launches. His outstanding efforts prevented future loss of lives by inflicting direct losses to the Iraqi enemy forces and operations. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Steven W. Speares 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) to First Lieutenant Steven W. Speares for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as F-15E Pilot, 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar on 28 March 2003. On that date, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Lieutenant Speares flew as the wingman for a successful time sensitive targeting mission to destroy a heavily defended Iraqi leadership target in central Iraq. The flight of two F-15Es was retasked to a target over three hundred miles north of their air tasking order target and told to coordinate their own air refueling enroute to Iraq. After successfully refueling on an unfragged tanker, the flight contacted a ground forward air controller with eyes on the target. They received a nine line coordination brief and target description for a building in the middle of the city where a meeting between Iraqi military leaders was taking place. Lieutenant Speares expertly maneuvered his aircraft to a cover position for the flight as his flight lead quickly located the target and prepared to attack. Before Lieutenant Speares was able to employ ordnance, his precise visual look out and timely calls enabled the flight to defeat two surface to air missiles. After defeating the threats and on his final run to the target, the flight was engaged by four more surface to air missiles. While aggressively maneuvering to defeat the missiles, he was able to successfully employ two GBU-12s on the building. The ground controller confirmed good hits, requested another pass to ensure complete destruction of this key target and advised the flight of significant 57 millimeter antiaircraft artillery firing in the area. Without regard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Speares flew a second attack and dropped two more GBU-12s on the target. The building was completely destroyed and the ensuing fire was visible for over one hundred miles. The ground controller confirmed that Iraqi military leadership had been inside during the attack. The professional competence, aerial skill, and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Speares reflect great credit upon himself and the United Slates Air Force.