Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - Bronze Star for Valor to Air Force Lieutenant Aaron Butler

SouthernDZ · 04-20-2011, 11:53

Wanted to share this. I was fortunate to be present yesterday when this Bronze Star for Valor was presented to Air Force Lieutenant Aaron Butler for actions as an Air Force Pararescue Team Leader. Butler is now a student in the Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program here at the AHS.

Technical Sergeant Aaron M. Butler distinguished himself by heroism as a HH-60G Pave Hawk Pararescue Team Leader near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, on 29 July 2009.

On that date, Sergeant Butler led a six man Pararescue team on a two ship formation, PEDRO 15 and PEDRO 16, tasked with an urgent MEDEVAC. While PEDRO 16 provided cover fire and SHAMUS 34 and 36 expended Hellfire missiles, Sergeant Butler’s aircraft executed a tactical approach to a brown out landing. Immediately, his aircraft received multiple rounds of small arms fire to include a round through the co-pilot’s windshield. As the aircraft lifted, he climbed over the aft console to assess the injuries to the pilots and to ensure their wounds were not life threatening.

Sergeant Butler and his crew voluntarily risked their lives when they decided to return and rescue the patients and Pararescuemen on the ground from the ambush. Once on the ground the second time, PEDRO 15 started taking accurate belt-fed heavy machine gun fire. The disabled aircraft stayed in the landing zone as long as possible before catastrophic damage would occur. Due to multiple systems failures and a major fuel leak inside the cabin, the aircraft had to land less than two miles away.

Sergeant Butler took control of the crash site, ensuring the 360 degree perimeter was covered. While the group was taking fire, he expertly maneuvered the crew members to safer positions around the downed aircraft. After 18 minutes on the ground, PEDRO 16 landed to extract the patients. Sergeant Butler safely transferred the patients under heavy small arms fire. His actions saved the lives of the three patients and ensured the survival of his crew.

By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Sergeant Butler reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

04-20-2011, 11:53	#1
SouthernDZ Quiet Professional Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 656	Bronze Star for Valor to Air Force Lieutenant Aaron Butler Wanted to share this. I was fortunate to be present yesterday when this Bronze Star for Valor was presented to Air Force Lieutenant Aaron Butler for actions as an Air Force Pararescue Team Leader. Butler is now a student in the Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program here at the AHS. Technical Sergeant Aaron M. Butler distinguished himself by heroism as a HH-60G Pave Hawk Pararescue Team Leader near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, on 29 July 2009. On that date, Sergeant Butler led a six man Pararescue team on a two ship formation, PEDRO 15 and PEDRO 16, tasked with an urgent MEDEVAC. While PEDRO 16 provided cover fire and SHAMUS 34 and 36 expended Hellfire missiles, Sergeant Butler’s aircraft executed a tactical approach to a brown out landing. Immediately, his aircraft received multiple rounds of small arms fire to include a round through the co-pilot’s windshield. As the aircraft lifted, he climbed over the aft console to assess the injuries to the pilots and to ensure their wounds were not life threatening. Sergeant Butler and his crew voluntarily risked their lives when they decided to return and rescue the patients and Pararescuemen on the ground from the ambush. Once on the ground the second time, PEDRO 15 started taking accurate belt-fed heavy machine gun fire. The disabled aircraft stayed in the landing zone as long as possible before catastrophic damage would occur. Due to multiple systems failures and a major fuel leak inside the cabin, the aircraft had to land less than two miles away. Sergeant Butler took control of the crash site, ensuring the 360 degree perimeter was covered. While the group was taking fire, he expertly maneuvered the crew members to safer positions around the downed aircraft. After 18 minutes on the ground, PEDRO 16 landed to extract the patients. Sergeant Butler safely transferred the patients under heavy small arms fire. His actions saved the lives of the three patients and ensured the survival of his crew. By his heroic actions and unselfish dedication to duty, Sergeant Butler reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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