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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (12/20/2011) -- Four
Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 were awarded the
Individual Action Air Medals with the combat distinguishing device,
Dec. 16, for heroic actions in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Marines from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 were awarded the
Air Medal for heroic actions in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom, Dec. 16, 2011. (From left to right) Cpl. John M. Cederholm,
the mission crew chief, Sgt. Justin K. Bartfield-Smith, the mission
aerial gunner and observer, Capt. Matthew A. Cave, the mission
co-pilot, and Capt. Thomas M. Keech, the mission pilot, were
recognized for actions during a priority re-supply mission in
support of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in the Sangin River
Valley, Afghanistan, June 12, 2011. This mission was the first time
an MV-22B had engaged an enemy in Afghanistan. Photo by USMC Cpl.
Abigail Brown |
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Capt. Thomas M. Keech, the mission pilot, Capt. Matthew A. Cave,
co-pilot, Sgt. Justin K. Bartfield-Smith, aerial gunner and
observer, and Cpl. John M. Cederholm, crew chief, were awarded the
Air Medal for actions during a priority re-supply mission in support
of 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, also known as Geronimo, June
12.
According to the summary of action, the mission took
place in the Sangin River Valley, Afghanistan, after ground assets
were unable to provide the necessary supplies to Geronimo due to
many improvised explosive devices in the area.
Marines on
the ground were sustaining heavy casualties and had already required
several medical evacuations as well as escort air coverage. One of
the escort AH-1W Cobras supporting Geronimo earlier that day had
sustained damage from enemy forces to one of its main rotor blades.
Despite the danger, when VMM-264 got the call for help they were
ready to answer. Keech, Cave, Bartfield-Smith and Cederholm, the
aircrew of an MV-22B Osprey with VMM-264 prepared a plan of action
to move supplies to the Marines in the fight.
After
receiving intelligence that enemy forces were near the landing zone,
the crew mounted |
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a
weapon system to the aircraft before launching on their mission. |
“Intelligence painted a good picture, but we were flying into an
unfamiliar place marked with smoke,” Keech said. “We weren't sure
what to expect.”
During their flight to pick up supplies, the
crew test fired their ramp mounted weapon system.
As they neared their objective,
the crew had to ensure their arrival wouldn't compete with friendly
escort aircraft that were directly overhead the landing zone, so
they could integrate their aircraft into the objective area, Keech
said.
As they hit the ground, received fire from insurgents
hidden in the tree-line bordering the landing zone. Immediately,
ground forces and aircraft overhead began to repel the enemy attack
while the crew unloaded supplies.
As the unloading
progressed, enemy fire increased, forcing the crew to immediately
lift off. Before leaving the landing zone, they fired engaged the
enemy with the ramp mounted weapon system.
This marked the
first time an MV-22B had ever engaged enemy forces in Afghanistan.
“This was a humbling experience,” Cave commented. “You always
hear of the ‘glory' of battle, but it's scary. You do your job and
leave, so this medal is for those Marines on the ground.”
Other members of the crew felt the same about their role in the
successful re-supply mission that day.
“I feel honored to
receive this award, but any Marine in our unit would have done the
same thing — we just happened to be on duty that day,” Bartfield-Smith
said. “Everything we do is to support the ground troops.”
Due
to the actions and adaptation of the air-crew that day, the Marines
of 1st Bn., 5th Marine Regiment, were able to get their much needed
supplies and the Osprey and crew returned unharmed.
By USMC Cpl. Abigail Brown
Marine Corps Air Station New River
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2011
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