SecAF awards Air Force Cross, 10 medals to Air Commandos
Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson pins the Air Force Cross on Staff Sgt. Richard Hunter, a 23rd Special Tactics Squadron special tactics Airman, during a combined medal ceremony, Oct. 17, 2017, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Wilson awarded ten Air Force Special Operations Command air commandos valorous medals, including the Air Force Cross, for their combined efforts during a fierce firefight in a village near Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, Nov. 2, 2016. Hunter, a combat controller, was awarded the Air Force Cross and nine aircrew members on Spooky 43, a 4th Special Operations Squadron AC-130U Gunship, received Distinguished Flying Crosses and Air Medals with valor. Their actions on the ground, and in the air, were credited with saving more than 50 lives and eliminating 27 enemy forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Conroy)