AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  GWOT
MODEL:  F-16CJ

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Steven J. Tittel for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-16CJ Pilot, 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 363d Expeditionary Operations Group, 363d Air Expeditionary Wing, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 28 March 2003. On that date, near Baghdad, Iraq, Captain Tittel exhibited outstanding airmanship and absolute dedication to the mission under extremely hazardous conditions. Captain Tittel, flying as the suppression of enemy air defenses commander, attacked and destroyed an SA-3 surface-to-air missile battery near Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Early in the mission, Captain Tittel expertly provided timely suppression of enemy air defense support for a package of United States Navy F/A-18 Hornets attacking targets southeast of Baghdad. As the Hornets safely egressed the target area and despite a high threat, Captain Tittel continued orbiting south of the Iraq fighter base Al Taqqadum in order to monitor a dense concentration of enemy surface-to-air missile batteries. Without warning, three surface-to-air missiles were fired in his direction. While swiftly maneuvering to avoid these threats, Captain Tittel skillfully marked the firing battery location and began monitoring for further activity. After requesting and receiving permission from the Combined Air Operations Center to destroy this battery and without regard for his personal safety, Captain Tittel executed a demanding visual delivery of two CBU-103 Wind-Corrected Munitions Dispensers and destroyed the target. His skillful destruction of the missile battery degraded the Iraqi's Integrated Air Defense System, permitting follow-on forces to act with greater freedom of movement. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Tittel reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.