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 Technical Sergeant Scott A. Innis, United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as a Combat Control Journeyman, 22d Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, 16th Expeditionary Special Operations Group, Combined Joint Special Operations Command Central, Afghanistan, on 28 March 2006. In support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Sergeant Innis and the other members of his elite Army Special Forces Detachment, located at a firebase in a heavily contested region of Afghanistan, were suddenly engulfed in a hailstorm of rocket propelled grenade, mortar, heavy machine gun, and small arms fire from three sides. Fully exposed to enemy fire and with total disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Innis scaled a ladder to an observation platform stationed at the center of the small firebase. The field-expedient plywood observation tower was the only structure visible outside the perimeter and a magnet for the bulk of the enemy fire. Despite dwindling cover, he remained perched above the battle guiding a devastating aerial counterattack. A marked man, the enemy quickly zeroes in on his position and was committed to killing him. Yet, with enemy rockets and small arms fire passing within mere inches of his exposed head and body, he continued to perform his duty, successfully utilizing his vast airmanship skills to neutralize the enemy. During the 24-hour pitched battle, Sergeant Innis defeated the enemy through the decisive use of airpower that resulted in the death or injury to over 100 insurgents. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Sergeant Innis has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.