Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Airman Presented the 2011 Mackay Trophy

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11/15/2012 --  JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - During the National Aeronautic Association's annual Fall Awards Banquet, November 15, 2012, in Arlington, Va., Tech. Sergeant Heath W. Culbertson was awarded the 2011 Mackay Trophy.

Culbertson was recognized by the Air Force in October when the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III presented him with the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor at an Air Force Basic Training Graduation Parade here.

The Mackay Trophy was first presented by Clarence Mackay in 1912 and was later deeded to the National Aeronautic Association. Administered by the United States Air Force and NAA, the trophy is awarded for the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons, or organization.

Culbertson was recognized for his actions as a crew member of Pedro 83 Flight during a combat search and rescue operation on April 23, 2011, while assigned to the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. 83 Flight executed the daring rescue of two United States Army pilots downed in enemy-controlled territory east of Bagram. During infiltration, Pedro 84 was struck by enemy fire severely injuring the flight engineer. As Pedro 84 returned to base for medical treatment, Pedro 83 provided emergency close air support for pararescuemen on the ground who braved a hail of small arms fire to rescue a downed pilot. While low on fuel, damaged by enemy fire and battling multiple aircraft emergencies, Pedro 83 remained on scene until Pedro 84 returned with a reconstituted crew. Pedro 84 made two attempts to recover the second pilot and their isolated pararescueman team, who were surrounded by insurgents, but was repelled by heavy enemy fire. Although Pedro 84 had been hit more than ten times and two crew members received damage to their protective equipment, they remained overhead until Pedro 83 returned.

Pedro 83 flight made three approaches into the besieged landing zone, but was forced to go around after exchanging fire with a fortified enemy within 100 meters. On the fourth attempt, Pedro 83 was able to land and evacuate an Army soldier critically wounded during ground recovery attempts while Pedro 84 hoisted the second pilot and pararescueman team successfully ending six hours of intense coalition rescue operations. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Culbertson and the other crew members of Pedro 83 Flight reflect great credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.

Culbertson is an Instructor Flight Engineer now assigned to the 344th Training Squadron Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence.