The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Staff Sergeant Christian J. Cahalan, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a MH-53M Pave Low IV Flight Engineer, 20th Special Operations Squadron, 16th Special Operations Wing near Prata Ghar, Afghanistan on 24 January 2002. On that date, Sergeant Cahalan displayed exceptional airmanship and dedication while flying over Afghanistan in response to a Secretary of Defense tasking supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His exemplary performance during a five-ship formation mission into enemy controlled territory produced the successful emergency exfiltration of United States and German Special Operations Forces. While manning the right mini-gun on the lead aircraft of the second element of a five-ship formation, Sergeant Cahalan and his crew were engaged by 12.7 millimeter anti-aircraft artillery and small arms fire. Sergeant Cahalan’s lightning-quick break call and immediate return of fire with first rounds on target saved the aircraft and crew from the enemy. Following multiple blacked-out in-flight refuelings and a blacked-out dust-out landing, Sergeant Cahalan’s crew completed the emergency exfiltration and returned safely to the intermediate staging base. His split-second decisions and flight engineer skills overcame the formidable challenges of the hostile environment, zero illumination, and constant changes to the mission. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Cahalan reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.