Posted on 02/12/2009 3:22:29 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP TAJI — An aeromedical evacuation pilot from the Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross here, Feb. 6, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Frederick was presented the award by Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div., for rescuing four trapped Iraqi National Police officers in eastern Baghdad, July 18, 2008. Frederick, from Groves, Texas, piloted his UH-60 air ambulance helicopter while hovering over a burning building to save the men.
The rescue called for a possible hoist; a unique operation that requires the crew to drop a cable and foot harness in order to hoist up each rescue victim individually using a winch-like apparatus.
In order to make the hoist successful, Frederick maneuvered and maintained a stabilized hover approximately seven feet over the rescue location while each Police officer was safely lifted into the aircraft one by one by the MEDEVAC crew members.
The rescue was expedited due to Frederick’s low hover as each victim was able to use the cable hoist as a step into the aircraft.
“I went out and did what I was trained to do, what I have practiced to do. And that’s what it came down to,” said Frederick, a 16-year veteran assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Avn. Regiment.
“Since the day I came into the Army, I’ve always been told to do what you’re supposed to do; do what you’ve been taught to do and do it the right way, and things will get done. Rewards and accolades will come from performing your duties and responsibilities the way you were taught.”
Typically these types of operations are considered extremely dangerous and vulnerable to enemy attack due to the amount of time the aircraft is stationary.
“As far as I know and from a conventional forces standpoint, this was the first hoist rescue that has been done in Iraq,” said Frederick.
“The mission itself was a broad brigade team effort. We had attack helicopter support. We had [unmanned aerial vehicles] overhead filming the mission as it went on, and the brigade commander was on the radio as we were conducting the operation. It was truly a brigade effort in order to make it happen.”
“I’ve been truly blessed with these volunteer Soldiers. You are the credentials of the United States,” Hammond said before presenting the award to Frederick.
Concluding his speech, Hammond approached Frederick, and as is customary, the pilot began to raise his hand in salute, only to be stopped by Hammond.
“No. I’m going to salute you,” the general said.
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