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 Kevin J. Flood, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-15E Weapon Systems Officer, 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 31st Expeditionary Operations Group, 31st Air Expeditionary Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, on 29 May 1999. On that date, his formation, Metro 53, was tasked to destroy an army barracks complex near Obrva Airfield. This required leading his element directly into the heart of a known surface-to-air missile site. After Major Flood designated the target and released his weapons, he began to guide the bombs to the target. Immediately, he was targeted by an enemy radar site in the target area. His timely threat call provided situation awareness to his formation and allowed the accompanying suppression of enemy air defense assets to attack the site. Unfortunately, this was not before missiles were launched at his formation. Major Flood directed defensive maneuvers for his aircraft while he simultaneously spotted two missiles heading towards his jet. He ensured the external fuel tanks were jettisoned and confirmed his wingman did the same. When it was apparent that he had defeated the threat, he calmly returned his attention to guiding his 500-pound bombs into the target area. With just seconds until weapons impact, he ensured the precision-guided munitions hit the target area causing severe damage to the enemy. On egress he was once more engaged by missile fire which he expertly defeated. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Flood reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.