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 Major John D. Cline, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as MC-130P Evaluator Aircraft Commander, Joint Special Operations Air Detachment West, Special Operations Command Central at a classified location on 2 April 2003. On that date, Major Cline was Flight Lead and Formation Commander of a three-ship element of MC-130P Combat Shadows tasked to provide low-level covert air refueling deep in Iraq to a 10-ship helicopter package for an assault on a high value target in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During mission execution, he expertly guided his formation around all known threats while covertly traversing 750 miles of enemy airspace While conducting blacked-out helicopter air refueling with only four knots safety margin at 500 feet in a high threat area, his co-pilot became disoriented. Major Cline quickly took control of the aircraft and recovered from the pre-staff buffet so smoothly that an MH-47 helicopter was able to remain in contact on the left refueling hose. The 31,000 pounds of fuel passed by his element enabled the helicopters to exit enemy territory after the assault. During egress at 300 feet, his formation was engaged by three surface-to-air missiles, causing the third aircraft to lose sight of lead. Amidst the blinding illumination of defensive flares and violent threat maneuvers, Major Cline prevented a mid-air collision by immediately directing divergent headings and altitudes. His superior situational awareness and quick actions enabled his three-ship formation’s successful defeat of the threat. The mission marked the deepest penetration of well-defended enemy airspace ever attempted by the MC-130P, and the successful assault dealt a huge psychological blow to the Iraqi regime. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Cline reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.