Special Forces Soldier Turned Airman Receives Air Force Cross

Airman to receive Air Force Cross for valor in Afghanistan
Fay Observer
By Drew Brooks Military editor
Jan 19, 2017

On April 6, 2013, Baradat's actions were credited with saving the lives of more than 150 allies, both American and Afghan.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher G. Baradat stood in an open Afghan courtyard as dirt kicked up by enemy bullets hitting the ground around him sprayed his uniform.

With members of the Special Forces team he was attached to shouting for him to take cover, Baradat instead zeroed in on the roughly 100 enemy fighters bearing down on his teammates with sniper fire, machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Exposing himself to the hostile fire to better communicate with air crews overhead, Baradat orchestrated the supporting fire that would save the lives of his team and the allied forces they had been dispatched to rescue, synchronizing attacks from AC-130 and A-10 aircraft fighting back with their own barrage of fire, including 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm and 105 mm munitions and 500-pound bombs.

"I do not think that what I did that day was heroic; I was completely focused on coordinating close air support as I was trained to do in support of my team," Baradat said. "I witnessed many heroic acts from the Army Special Forces team, and I hope that they receive the recognition that they deserve. I also want to thank the A-10 and AC-130 aircrew that day. Without their support, the day would have turned out much worse."
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