Maj. Bradley Downs and Maj. Daniel Roesch received the Cheney Award for their actions providing close air support to coalition ground forces in Afghanistan. Both serve as aircrew on Air Force Special Operations Command MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft. Pilot Downs and navigator Roesch flew a night mission to drop supplies, including much-needed ammunition, to Special Forces under attack from Taliban elements. Using nigh-vision goggles and flying low between the enemy and NATO forces, the MC-130H airdropped some 22,000 pounds of supplies within 15 yards of the target area. Downs is assigned to RAF Mildenhall, England, and Roesch to Hurlburt Field, Fla.
On Oct. 22, the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies will host a Nuclear Deterrence Forum featuring Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. The think tank will post event video on its website and YouTube page after the live event. Register here.