When three CV-22s came under fire during a rescue mission in South Sudan in 2013, the quick actions of the crew kept the aircraft flying — and each other alive.
One of those troops received a Distinguished Flying Cross June 2 for his actions on that mission.
Tech. Sgt. James McKay, a special missions aviator with the 7th Special Operations Squadron, was awarded the medal at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England.
McKay was a staff sergeant with the 8th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron when the mission launched on Dec. 21, 2013.
The objective was to evacuate American citizens at a United Nations compound in the city of Bor, a hot spot for the civil war raging in South Sudan.
The 21 special operations troops and 12 aircrew members on the three Ospreys began taking fire as soon as they arrived at the compound, Air Force Times reported in 2014.
The Ospreys were flying close to the ground as rebels hit them with small-arms and heavy machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Four Special Forces troops were injured as 119 rounds hit the three aircraft, causing fuel leaks, structural damage and flight-control failures.
It was immediately clear that the rescue was off. A contingency plan was in place, however, and the citizens were soon evacuated.
During the attack, McKay ensured clearance of the weapons engagement zone by identifying threats and directing maneuvers, according to his citation. He discovered the ruptured fuel tanks, deterioration of the flight control, an inoperable emergency liberation system and the loss of the largest hydraulics system on the Osprey.
McKay called for immediate emergency air refueling from a C-130 that was standing by, and he identified the most damaged fuel tanks. The crew slowed the leaks and prevented a forced landing in South Sudan, the citation said.
"Sergeant McKay calmly stepped through emergency checklists and prepared the aircraft for landing in Uganda, alleviating undue burden on the pilots," it said.
McKay's actions helped save the lives of the crew members onboard, as well as the four injured troops, and resulted in the recovery of the aircraft.
In August 2014, the Air Force awarded all 12 air crew members on the mission with the 2013 Mackay Trophy, awarded for the most meritorious flight in the Air Force that year.
Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
