Rescue Pilots to be Presented Distinguished Flying Crosses

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will present two Distinguished Flying Cross medals with valor, each, to Maj. John B. Creel and to Col. Christopher Barnett during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, May 18, 2012, at 11 a.m EDT in the Airman’s Hall on the 4th floor, A-ring, apex of Corridors 9 and 10.

Both officers will receive the medals for two separate engagements during which they had to fly through firefights and a blinding sandstorm to evacuate critical casualties while simultaneously protecting U.S. and Afghan forces on the ground.

The medal recipients will be available to media for on-camera interviews in the Office of the Secretary of Defense small television studio (2E963) on Thursday, May 17, from 8 to 11 a.m.  Additionally, there will be a media roundtable scheduled on May 17 at 3 p.m. in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Pentagon Briefing Room (2E973).

Media wishing to attend the ceremony on May 18 or the media roundtable on May 17 should contact the Air Force Press Desk by noon, May 16.  Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the River Entrance only.  Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of press affiliation and two forms of photo identification.

Please contact the Air Force Press Desk at 703-695-0640 for escort into the building.

CORRECTION:  May 16, 2012 -- The location of the presentation ceremony has been changed from the Pentagon Briefing Room to the Airman’s Hall.