The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General David Michael Edgington, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Edgington distinguished himself as Deputy Commander, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Combined Air Operations Center 6 and as Deputy for Support, Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, from 16 September 2002 to 10 June 2005. During this period, General Edgington exhibited tremendous leadership and masterful diplomacy to bring Combined Air Operations Center 6 to full operational capability, prevent fratricide during the coalition’s Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, mitigate tension between Greece and Turkey, and propel Combined Air Operations Center 6 to the forefront of North Atlantic Treaty Organization airpower command and control. Through sheer determination, will of effort, and enlightened leadership, General Edgington developed a dynamic multi-national team of combat mission-ready warriors, turned Combined Air Operations Center 6 into a major weapon system, and led the Southern Region by achieving full operational capability four months ahead of schedule. To defend Turkey against air and missile threats from Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, North Atlantic Treat Organization initiated Operation DISPLAY GUARDIAN, the first-ever North Atlantic Treaty Organization defensive operation of a member nation. As Deputy for Support at the Air Armament Center, he ensured munitions superiority for the Department of Defense for years to come. His enlightened leadership brought the transformation of the National Security Personnel System into existence at Eglin, one of Air Force Material Command’s first bases to do so. As offsite commander during HURRICANE IVAN, the area’s worst natural disaster in ten years, General Edgington provided invaluable guidance and coordination to have Eglin up and running 48 hours after landfall. His tactful management of the Base Realignment and Closure process ensured the right data was provided through the command chain up to Congress. Support activities for four wings and one direct reporting group were deftly handled by General Edgington while also expertly managing the Air Force’s largest land-mass base and all of its associated ranges. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Edgington reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.