The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Eric J. Weidanz, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as MH-53M Aerial Gunner, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Joint Special Operations Air Component, near Bagram, Afghanistan, on 26 May 2002. On that date, Sergeant Weidanz’s exemplary leadership and outstanding airmanship, displayed under extremely hostile conditions, culminated in a highly successful emergency exfiltration from enemy territory. Sergeant Weidanz launched on a demanding seven-hour mission into northeastern Afghanistan, flying in zero illumination in treacherous mountainous terrain over 10,500 feet mean sea level and braved multiple small arms and anti-aircraft artillery barrages. Sergeant Weidanz made several critical break calls to maneuver the aircraft away from enemy fire and around terrain. Forced to land at two separate locations, the second aircraft struck a mountain and made an emergency landing on a sandbar in the river below. Sergeant Weidanz remained clam during the ensuing chaos and kept the crew informed of the location of the crippled wingman while simultaneously continuing scanner calls to ensure his aircraft landed successfully. After the insertion of the ground element at the emergency landing site for force protection and again airborne, Sergeant Weidanz was invaluable in positioning his aircraft in an unusable landing zone in order to retrieve the second half of the team. Upon landing, hearing that the ramp was inaccessible and that an unorthodox loading through the right door was required, Sergeant Weidanz immediately moved to assist the right gunner in disassembling his weapon, assuring the successful exfiltration of the compromised team. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Weidanz reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.