Hurlburt pilot receives Daedalian award

by By Staff Sgt. Sarah Hanson
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

8/8/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.  -- An MC-130H pilot received an Air Force-level award Aug. 7 at the 15th Special Operations Squadron auditorium here.

Maj. Jeffery Taylor earned the 2013 Daedalian Exceptional Pilot Award for exceptional courage and leadership in support of air operations throughout Afghanistan.

"The linage of the Daedalians goes all the way back to World War I. It started with pilots who took to the air for the first time in defense of freedom...our whole aim at doing this is to support military aviation," said retired Lt. Gen. Nick Kehoe, National Commander of the Order of the Daedalians.

"It's so important that we say thank you to our people and recognized them; it can be an award like this, it can be a simple thank you, it can be a plaque, it can be a number of things but we owe that to our people who do such a great job," said Kehoe.

From January to April of 2013, Taylor played an instrumental part in the overall success of the Combined Joint Special Operations in both air and ground, while deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

On one particular mission Taylor "worked in conjunction with his crew to simultaneously coordinate airspace, a surgical response team, a transload time and location with a helicopter assault force, facilitating the stabilization and life extension of a critically wounded patient," as stated in the citation.

"There's no doubt in my mind that if any other Talon crew were asked to go, they would execute it in the same fashion with the same precision and get it done," said Taylor. "We just happen to be in the right place at the right time. So this is really an award for the 15th SOS, it shows and highlights what we do on a day-in, day-out basis."

During his address to the audience, Taylor reminded his fellow Airmen of fallen comrades and to take time to remember them.

"I bring up [our fallen comrades] because what we do is dangerous, we all know that," he said. "I've talked to you about it and that's why we train a certain way. They were out on a training mission that went a little bit unplanned and they paid the ultimate sacrifice. So, be happy we've made it this far and that we've done great things for our nation."

Taylor added, "I'm honored to win this award, to me this is the highlight of my career and a highlight for the 15th SOS."