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 Lieutenant Colonel Christopher C. Barnett, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as flight lead and mission commander, Shocker 35, 34th Weapons Squadron, 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, near Kajaki, Afghanistan on 4 April 2009. On that date, Colonel Barnett led his HH-60G formation through firefights and a blinding sandstorm in near zero visibility executing a critical casualty evacuation when he received word of a Special Forces convoy under attack by a large enemy force. Colonel Barnett led his flight to the convoy location, where the arrival of the two heavily armed helicopters caused the enemy to instantly break contact and retreat. Despite extreme risk from surface to air fire, Colonel Barnett executed numerous show of force events to keep the enemy at bay. Alerted to a second team pinned down by heavy machine gun fire, under attack from three locations, and in danger of being overrun, he quickly moved to provide support. With fixed wing ordnance detonating on all sides and complete disregard for his own safety, he closed his aircraft to within 20 meters of the enemy, exposing themselves to harrowing fire to pinpoint the besieged team. Through a hail of intense enemy machine gun fire, Colonel Barnett expertly executed a fixed forward gunnery attack, knocking out enemy machine gun positions. He continued to direct the flight in a series of devastating attacks until the enemy positions were destroyed. Despite critically low fuel levels, he remained overhead the team securing the objective. Engaged by rocket propelled grenade fire, Colonel Barnett led the flight in a series of attacks, destroying another enemy position, causing the enemy to withdraw. Colonel Barnett’s heroic actions this day saved the lives of one Afghan National Army and 40 Special Forces soldiers. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Barnett has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
129th Expeditionary Rescue SquadronAction Date:
May 19 – 20, 2009
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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Christopher C. Barnett, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States as HH-60G Mission Commander and Flight Lead of two helicopters of the 34th Weapons Squadron, 129th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Marjeh, Afghanistan from 19 May 2009 to 20 May 2009. During this period, Colonel Barnett flew into a Taliban stronghold, dodging heavy machine gun, rocket propelled grenade, and small arms fire to rescue a severely wounded soldier during an intense four day battle. After fighting his flight back to base, he led his flight back for a second casualty rescue, despite the increased danger of returning to the same area, the proximity of enemy forces, and no close air support. As he lined up for an attack on the enemy position, his wingman suffered a catastrophic emergency. Colonel Barnett immediately aborted his attack and directed his wingman away from the threats. Exhibiting superb airmanship, Colonel Barnett shot a perfect zero visibility approach despite overwhelming ground fire. Colonel Barnett was then called upon to return a third time to the same area, during an even more intense enemy attack. With enemy forces surrounding the zone, they were choice targets for enemy forces which directed intense and accurate rocket propelled grenade, mortar, and heavy machine gun fire at the helicopters. Colonel Barnett executed multiple dry attack runs, covering his wingman’s landing, when a mortar salvo detonated directly beneath his aircraft, nearly knocking it out of the air. Despite the enemy fire from all directions, he remained in position to cover his wingman. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Barnett has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.