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 Technical Sergeant Charles D. Irwin, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights as the C-17A Loadmaster over Afghanistan from 7 October 2001 to 8 October 2001. During this period of combat operations in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the United States’ response to terrorism around the world, Sergeant Irwin accomplished unprecedented feats in the C-17A community, including the first-ever C-17A combat airdrop, highest airdrop altitude, first operational use of an aerial delivery system and first use of night vision goggles within a C-17A formation airdrop. He accomplished all these feats while overcoming numerous obstacles, including air refueling with a tanker experiencing maintenance problems, high altitude airdrop physiological impacts and employing the C-17A in medium-threat environment for the first time. His continuous display of exemplary knowledge, outstanding airmanship and devotion ensured successful accomplishment of a short-notice, National Command Authority-directed humanitarian mission, delivering over 34,000 humanitarian daily rations to the indigenous displaced people of Afghanistan and proudly demonstrated the 437th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron’s motto of “getting the stuff to the fight.” The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Irwin reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.