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

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Eric C. Stewart for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as AC-130H Aircraft Commander, 16th Special Operations Squadron, near eastern Afghanistan, on 16 May 2002. On that date, Major Stewart displayed superb airmanship and courage, as he provided emergency close-air support to an allied special operations force that was ambushed while patrolling in eastern Afghanistan. He launched his crew on extremely short notice and upon arrival identified the position of the beleaguered unit, as well as the two quick reaction forces dispatched to the area. As the friendly forces units moved closer to the pinned down ground team, the enemy took up positions manned by rocket propelled grenade launchers, mortars, and heavy machine gun emplacements, destroying all targets with deadly efficiency, some within sixty meters of the friendly position. After nearly three hours of battle with the ground forces attempting to leave the battle area, he was faced with a fuel shortage. Major Stewart had to choose whether to leave the ground force and fly to his home base or stay and make an unprecedented, risky landing and takeoff at Kabul Airport, the first ever for an AC-130 in Afghanistan. Major Stewart chose to stay and land at Kabul. Shortly thereafter the ground party tasked him to provide more deadly fire on other enemy positions as the allied forces departed the area. He quickly destroyed the enemy positions and assured the safety of the allied teams. The ground team's after-action report states that they owe their lives to Major Stewart and his crew. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Stewart reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.