Tech. Sgt. Tavis J. Delaney stands at attention as his wife Courtney pins the Silver Star medal to his uniform during a presentation ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., May 6, 2012. Delaney received the award -- the nation's third highest award for valor in action -- for actions in combat during his 2011 deployment to Afghanistan with the squadron. Delaney is a tactical air control party member with the Washington Air National Guard’s 116th Air Support Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Stephen C. Mattson)
5/8/2012 - CAMP MURRAY, Wash. (AFNS) -- An NCO with the Washington Air National Guard was awarded the Silver Star medal in a ceremony May 6 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Tech. Sgt. Tavis Delaney, a tactical air control party member with the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, was awarded the medal for his actions during the Battle of Do Ab in Afghanistan on May 25, 2011.
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration awarded to a member of the U.S. armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy. Since Sept. 11, 2001, only two other members of the Washington National Guard have been awarded the Silver Star: Tech. Sgt. Kevin Whalen for actions in Afghanistan in 2003 and Army Spc. Gerrit Kobes for actions in Iraq in 2004.
"We are incredibly proud of Tech. Sgt. Delaney and the 116th ASOS," said Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard. "Time after time, they have been the decisive difference on the battlefield, and Tech. Sgt. Delaney is deserving of this high honor."
According to his medal citation, Delaney "... heroically distinguished himself by gallantry in action and extremely valorous actions in the face of the enemy ... His gallantry under fire saved the lives of more than 64 coalition forces (members) and contributed to the destruction of more than 200 Taliban insurgents."
The TACP members of the 116th ASOS are often considered the furthest extension of Air Force influence on the Army's battlefield. TACP Airmen deploy into combat with ground combat units and serve as close air support experts, advising ground commanders on the use of Air Force assets in combat. They serve as forward air controllers, guiding weapons onto target. Approximately 20 members of the squadron deployed to Afghanistan with Delaney from March 2011 to July 2011.
Brief helmet camera video of Delaney during the battle can be viewed here.
(Courtesy of the Washington National Guard.)
(Editor's note: Our editorial style guide currently calls for a dash in TACP. However, after reviewing the entry, we couldn't find a justification for this rule. Therefore, we have removed the dash and are changing our style guide to reflect the change.)
Comments
5/10/2012 7:00:53 AM ET I served with TACPs in 2003 at the start of OEFOIF and let me just say that it was an honor Great bunch of guys -- matter of fact I just had to tell a marine off yesterday because he foolishly stated that AF folks don't see combat -- and I said well you have insulted the men and women of the AF especially the TACPs. Shame on him But well done Well done
MSgt, Suffolk
5/10/2012 5:17:22 AM ET BRAVO ZULU
Ed, LA
5/9/2012 10:57:42 AM ET There is no dash between the C and the P in TACP. Check your Joint doctrine for clarification.
Caveman, TX
5/9/2012 10:36:04 AM ET Amazing story about an outstanding warrior. This is how medals are earned. By the way its TACP not TAC-P.
Brian, Florida
5/9/2012 9:46:44 AM ET Well done
MW, Hurlburt Field
5/9/2012 4:51:13 AM ET SuperbCitation can be found herehttpmedia.modbee.comsmedia201204271338n471y.So.11.pdf
B. Regan, USAFE
5/8/2012 5:11:53 PM ET Awesome, it's beautiful what the Air-ground mission does when you have such outstanding people in the mix. Makes me very proud to be an Airman today. Even nicer to see a deco being used as intended and not as a device to raise the retention rate of support troops. Can the moderators please place this article next to all the BSM talk? The juxtaposition would be so sweet.
