The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Nathan C. Green, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Kandahar Airport, Afghanistan, on 5 December 2001. On that date, as an AC-130H aircraft commander, 16th Special Operations Squadron, Captain Green’s mission was to provide close-air support and armed reconnaissance to a combined team consisting of U.S. Special Forces and anti-Taliban forces. Surveying the area between the friendly position and the heavily defended airport, Green realized the required attack orbit would take them directly over the heavily defended airport, so he led the crew through a unique partial orbit attack. While destroying targets, the crew detected the launch of two infrared missiles coming from an area near the airport. Captain Green directed the aircraft and crew through defensive maneuvers and procedures to perfection, defeating the missiles. He displayed great leadership ability and bravery as he directed the crew of 13 officers and noncommissioned officers back into the extremely hostile environment. Captain Green repositioned the aircraft to precisely engage an enemy compound containing multiple targets that threatened air and ground forces. As the crew scored numerous direct hits, the enemy weapons ignited and engulfed the entire compound in flames. As the intense fire from this explosion illuminated the gunship, another infrared missile was launched at the aircraft from a much closer range than the previous missiles. He flawlessly handled this threat as he had the other two, defeating the missile. Intelligence credited the crew with destroying six SA-3 missiles, one truck, three towed artillery pieces and two towed rocket launchers. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Green has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.