The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Andra V. P. Kniep, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as A/OA-10 Forward Air Control-Airborne and Flight Lead, 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 332d Air Expeditionary Group, on 6 March 2002. On that date, flying as Sandy 03, her professional skill and airmanship enabled her to take control of the Operation Anaconda airspace and direct devastating fires against enemy forces. Launching from an austere classified forward operating location, she took control of the entire area of responsibility when the airborne command and control aircraft went off station to refuel. Her keen situational awareness enabled her to establish a clear airspace plan to prevent fratricide between eleven strike aircraft and three unmanned aerial vehicles. Captain Kniep quickly realized that fighters operating in the target were unaware of B-52 and B-1 bomber preplanned targets. With superior airmanship, she deconflicted all aircraft and generated a plan for coalition bombers to attack their higher headquarters assigned targets and avoid ongoing close air support operations. Captain Kniep intuitively devised a communications plan to provide discreet communication between ground forward air controllers and their fighters while clearing other frequency for additional taskings. she skillfully controlled F-15E, F-16, B-1 and B-52 strikes employing scores of weapons to destroy a weapons cache, multiple vehicles and troop concentrations with punishing hits. These strikes enabled coalition forces to maintain offensive pressure on the enemy. Completing her control of the area, Captain Kniep located and escorted a friendly ground convoy of four vehicles out of the threat area and back to their base camp. Captain Kniep’s superb control of a highly congested target area saved coalition lives and advanced the United States goals in the war on global terrorism. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Kniep reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel Andra V. P. Kniep, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Kniep reflect great credit upon herself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
74th Expeditionary Fighter SquadronRegiment:
332d Air Expeditionary GroupAction Date:
March 5, 2002
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Andra V. P. Kniep, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an A/OA-10 Forward Air Control-Airborne and Flight Lead, 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 332d Air Expeditionary Group, on 5 March 2002. On that date, flying as Cherry 01, her professional skill and airmanship enabled her to successfully engage and destroy enemy vehicles and an infantry force concentration while working in close proximity to friendly ground forces. After two air refuelings and a 4.5-hour deployment sortie to the target area, Captain Kniep spent the first hour on station controlling strike and bomber aircraft and deconflicting close air support aircraft from unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft bombing preplanned targets. The airborne command and control director tasked Captain Kniep to rendezvous with an unmanned aerial vehicle with eyes on enemy troops. She skillfully used night vision devices with the unmanned aerial vehicle’s night marker to identify vehicles and infantry in a network of steep ravines, inaccessible to attack except on a narrow axis. Noting that the target area was only 2 kilometers from friendly troops, Captain Kniep fired a marking rocket, confirming the target for the unmanned aerial vehicle controller and her wingman. She then maneuvered her wingman into position to drop two bombs and then followed him with two of her own 500-pound bombs. Both pilots scored direct hits on the targets with numerous confirmed destroyed enemy vehicles and infantry casualties. Captain Kniep then refueled again and led her flight to a night recovery at a remote, unfamiliar, classified location to complete the 7.9-hour deployment sortie. By inflicting heavy losses on Taliban and al Queda forces, Captain Kniep saved coalition lives and advanced the United States goals in the war on terrorism. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Kniep reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.