Accompanying the Air Force’s two top leaders to recent hearings on Capitol Hill have been several airmen of various ranks and career fields, among them a Silver Star recipient. TSgt. Brad Reilly is a battlefield airman, who Gen. Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff, told lawmakers this week has made four deployments to Southwest Asis and is going back in July. Reilly received both a Silver Star and Purple Heart for an operation in Afghanistan in which he was part of a quick reaction force moving to augment an ambushed Afghan security force. His helicopter took enemy fire, wounding Reilly and another airman. Reilly provided life-saving treatment to his teammate, while he controlled close air support and returned fire himself for more than two hours.
On Oct. 27, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute will host an installment of its “Aerospace Nation” series featuring Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event.