AWARDED DFC: 1
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 to Captain Jay E. Campbell who distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while engaged in military operations involving conflict against an opposing foreign force as Instructor Pilot, C-17A, 14th Airlift Squadron, 437th Operations Group, 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, at Hamid Karzai International Airport on 30 August 2021. On that date, Captain Campbell was an Aircraft Commander 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 precisely landed his aircraft under the control of combat controllers in a no light environment and expeditiously conducted a set of pre-briefed ground maneuvers to minimize the time on the ground in the extreme threat environment. At the completion of ground maneuvers and full accountability 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, he led his aircrew as one of the last five aircraft to depart Hamid Karzai International Airport. The leadership, courage, and decisiveness of Captain Campbell 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 Campbell reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.