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Vosene
United Kingdom
4594 Posts
Status: offline |
 Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 10:55:35
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 It gives us great pleasure to announce a second award for the actions of a member of Cowboy 1 on 22 February 2008 with the presentation of the Air Medal to Blackbird for evading several enemy aircraft attacks and successfully landing his crippled aircraft.
Citation:
Blackbird earned his award on 22 February 2009 flying the F16C-30 in a mission codenamed Black Canyon in the European campaign.
Blackbird was the No 3 aircraft of Cowboy1, an Escort flight. During egress Cowboy1 were engaged by a group of MiG-29A armed with semi-active missiles while Cowboy1 had IR missiles only. During the engagement No 1 and No 2 were shot down and No 3 was badly damaged.
Blackbird’s aircraft had no avionics and a permanent roll to right resulting in him having to apply full left stick to counter it. As Cowboy14 was escorting Blackbird home they were intercepted by a 2-ship MiG-29A group. With Cowboy 13 unable to engage, Cowboy 14 turned to fight the bandits despite having no missiles in order to buy his Element Lead time.
During the engagement Cowboy 14 was shot down but his efforts used up the enemies missiles and Blackbird was now engaged by 3x Mig 29 with guns only. Time and again he managed to avoid numerous gun attacks in his crippled aircraft using just banks and rolls to the right as he was unable to turn left. Eventually the bandits ran out of ammunition and they were destroyed by a friendly SAM unit near the Italian coastline.
Having survived the MiG attacks, Blackbird was able to locate a friendly airfield and made a successful landing in his crippled aircraft.
In getting his aircraft safely home, despite significant damage and constant harassing from enemy aircraft, Blackbird displayed composure and airmanship of the highest order and is hereby awarded the Air Medal for his actions.
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Ballistic
United Kingdom
767 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 13:02:39
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Congratulations Blackbird - you did a great job mate.
Regards,
Ballistic |
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Ghostrider
Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
1033 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 13:33:42
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Sounds unbelievable, but it's Blackbird. Congratz mate!
Ghostrider, Red FL * LCM |
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Crowebar
UNITED KINGDOM
1473 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 13:59:12
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Congratulations Blackbird. Awesome!!
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Griffin
UNITED KINGDOM
4984 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 16:49:51
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Well deserved Blackbird. Congratulations.
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tiag
1417 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 02 Mar 2009 : 17:08:13
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that is the spirit, Blackbird!!! Congratulations!!
Tiag
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Blackbird
BELGIUM
64 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 05 Mar 2009 : 22:02:54
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Thank you all 
I wasn't expecting this, I just had loads of good luck.
And I had a wingman that made all of this possibel,
couldn't have done it without you Ballistic!!
Cheers and thanks again to everyone!!
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tiag
1417 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 05 Mar 2009 : 22:05:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Blackbird
... I just had loads of good luck.....
Really? In that case we are going to have to talk to the CO...cheers!!!!
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Reds
UNITED KINGDOM
1058 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 05 Mar 2009 : 22:12:50
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Congrats Blackbird you jammy sod . Most of us dream of this one and we been members a few years . Grats again .
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Blackbird
BELGIUM
64 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 05 Mar 2009 : 22:18:52
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quote:
Originally posted by tiag
quote:
Originally posted by Blackbird
... I just had loads of good luck.....
Really? In that case we are going to have to talk to the CO...cheers!!!!
Sure
It's Ballistic who should get all the credit  |
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Blackbird
BELGIUM
64 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 05 Mar 2009 : 22:27:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Reds
Congrats Blackbird you jammy sod . Most of us dream of this one and we been members a few years . Grats again .
I really didn't expected anything, I just tried to get the jet safely on the ground.
And I do consider my self extremly lucky!
Not only with getting the jet back, but also with receiving this award.
I want to thank Crowebar and Ballistic for putting me forward.
Can't wait to get in the air this sunday.
Cheers all |
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Air Medal Award for Blackbird
