More than a dozen Airmen with the 92nd Air Refueling Wing received decorations for “flying complex and dangerous missions in contested airspace,” the Washington-based unit announced April 1.
The wing’s release did not identify specific details of missions or award narratives, and a spokesperson declined to comment further to Air & Space Forces Magazine, citing operational security concerns.
However, all 12 Airmen who received the Distinguished Service Cross were KC-135 Stratotanker pilots or boom operators. The DFC recognizes acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement in the air and is the military’s fourth-highest award for heroism, separate from distinguished service medals.
Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Stallings in particular was recognized with two DFCs. Another three Airmen received Bronze Star Medals.
The 15 Airmen were honored in a ceremony March 31 for providing critical refueling that enabled other Air Force aircraft to continue their mission and return home safely, according to the wing release.
“These historic missions were fraught with peril and required decisive reactions to dynamic operational environments,” said Maj. Gen. Charles Bolton, 18th Air Force commander. “The way they choose to respond, the way they adapt and work together—that’s what we’re highlighting today.”
U.S. Air Force combat operations have focused on the Middle East in recent years, and the KC-135 fleet has played a key role in that fight—leading to more decorations for the Airmen who operate the tankers.
“The skill and tenacity displayed by the members here today led directly to the success of the overall operation,” said Bolton. “We thank them for displaying this true grit and dedication.”
Awardees
- Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Stallings, boom operator, two Distinguished Flying Crosses
- Senior Airman Clark Bromley, boom operator, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Eric Gershoff, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Kimberly Soltero, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Joseph Ferguson, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Roman Rohrbach, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Robert Schaefer, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- 1st Lt. Ryan Ioanidis, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Bobby Sherrill, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Robert Maloy, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Abigail Swenson, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Capt. Seung Choi, pilot, Distinguished Flying Cross
- Lt. Col. Graydon Vandament, 93rd Air Refueling Squadron commander, Bronze Star Medal
- Maj. Sean Fernando, assistant director of operations, Bronze Star Medal
- Master Sgt. Shane Endreson, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production superintendent, Bronze Star Medal
Back in 2024, two dozen KC-135 crew members received the Distinguished Flying Cross for helping refuel the fighters that shot down 80 drones and missiles Iran fired at Israel that year: 11 Airmen from the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 134th Air Refueling Wing, seven Airmen from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and six from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
Since then, the U.S. has launched Operation Rough Rider targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Operation Midnight Hammer on Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the ongoing Operation Epic Fury against a broader set of Iranian targets. KC-135s have helped support each operation.
Several units and individuals involved in these operations have been decorated.
The 34th Fighter Squadron from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, won the Raytheon Trophy in March for its work on both Midnight Hammer and Rough Rider. The Raytheon Trophy was established in 1953 and has been awarded annually to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron in the U.S. Air Force.
F-16 pilots Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks and Maj. Michael “Danger” Blea earned Silver Star Medals for for a harrowing mission in which they dodged multiple surface-to-air missiles during Rough Rider. Air & Space Forces Magazine previously reported that two KC-135 pilots and a boom operator received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their service that night as well.