Kirtland AFB pilot among crews awarded 2011 Mackay Trophy

  • Published
WASHINGTON, D.C. --  The National Aeronautic Association presented the 2011 Mackay Trophy to crewmembers of "Pedro 83," a combat search and rescue mission in Afghanistan, at the NAA annual Fall Awards Banquet on Nov. 14 in Arlington, Va. Fifteen of the 20 participants, including Maj. Phillip Bryant, 58th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations at Kirtland AFB, were present to be recognized by Gen. Mark Welsh, Air Force chief of staff.

The Mackay Trophy was first presented by Clarence Mackay in 1912 and was later deeded to the National Aeronautic Association. Administered by the U.S. Air Force and NAA, the trophy is awarded for the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons or organization.

The crews of Pedro 83 Flight distinguished themselves in combat search and rescue operations April 23, 2011, while assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. On that date, Pedro 83 Flight executed the daring rescue of two U.S. Army pilots downed in enemy-controlled territory east of Bagram. During infiltration, Pedro 84 was struck by enemy fire, severely injuring the flight engineer. As Pedro 84 returned to base for medical treatment, Pedro 83 provided emergency close air support for pararescuemen on the ground, ultimately braving a hail of small arms fire to rescue a downed pilot. While low on fuel, damaged by enemy fire and battling multiple aircraft emergencies, Pedro 83 remained on scene until Pedro 84 returned with a reconstituted crew. Pedro 84 made two attempts to recover the second pilot and their isolated pararescueman team, who were surrounded by insurgents, but was repelled by heavy enemy fire. Although Pedro 84 had been hit more than 10 times and two crewmembers received damage to their protective equipment, they remained overhead until Pedro 83 returned.

Pedro 83 Flight made three approaches into the besieged landing zone, but was forced to go around after exchanging fire with a fortified enemy within 100 meters. On the fourth attempt, Pedro 83 was able to land and evacuate an Army soldier critically wounded during ground recovery attempts while Pedro 84 hoisted the second pilot and pararescueman team successfully ending six hours of intense coalition rescue operations.

For his actions as aircraft commander of one of two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters on the mission, Gen. Edward Rice Jr., commander of Air Education and Training Command, presented Bryant a Silver Star at a ceremony July 12 at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

"Receiving the Silver Star is a tremendous honor," said Bryant. "I can't say enough about my crew, the crew of Pedro 83, and everybody else involved. It's a tribute to the rescue community as a whole and to the training that goes on here at Kirtland AFB. It prepares us to go accomplish the mission. This is a wonderful mission to be able to do."

The Silver Star is awarded by all branches of the armed forces to any person who, while serving in any capacity, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit organization devoted to fostering America's aerospace leadership and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States.

Editor's note: Stefan Bocchino of the 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office contributed to this article.