Portraits in Courage: Capt. Jeremy Powell, 4 special missions aviators

Instructor pilot Capt. Jeremy Powell, who along with special missions aviators Tech Sgts. Mark Cornett, Benjamin Jacobs, James Juniper and Staff Sgt. Christopher Rector, evaded insurgent gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades and returned fire as they evacuated critically wounded Afghans in their Afghan Mi-17 helicopter on Oct. 8, 2013.

Juniper was shot through the neck, and Jacobs and Cornett scrambled through the crowded cabin to save his life.

All five airmen have been submitted for the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor.

They also are among 24 airmen honored for heroism in the Air Force's latest Portraits in Courage volume.

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