Kirtland officer receives Distinguished Flying Cross

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Capt. R.J. Donaldson of the 58th Training Squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony March 3 at Kirtland Air Force Base.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the U.S. Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight."

"Captain Donaldson, in the face of the enemy, showed courage and bravery to do something that was extraordinary," said Col. Vincent Becklund, commander of the 58th Special Operations Wing, who presided at the ceremony.

Donaldson was recognized for distinguishing himself while participating in an aerial flight as HH-60G aircraft commander on May 26, 2011, while deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

According to the award citation, Donaldson was on a harrowing rescue mission after a squad of U.S. Army Pathfinders had been ambushed by improvised explosive devices. With the threat of additional IEDs, the captain hovered his aircraft over the blast site to enable a hoist extraction of a wounded Soldier. He rejected the idea of a divert operation, which would have endangered the life of the wounded patient, and returned to the airfield with just minutes of fuel remaining.

"His calm demeanor and sound decision making in the face of grave danger ensured the safety of his crew, the aircraft and two United States Soldiers," the citation stated.

Donaldson addressed about 300 Airmen of the 58th SOW who were in formation for the ceremony. He advised them to focus on their training here so they will be prepared to act when called upon.

"Keep your training where it is so when the opportunity arises, you are able to accomplish what your task is," he said. "Push as hard as you can here, so when you have to do things out in the real world, you are able to accomplish them to the best of your ability."