From Kandahar, With Valor

摘要

In a December ceremony, MSgt. Ivan Ruiz, a para-rescueman from the 56th Rescue Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, UK, was recently awarded the Air Force Cross-the military's second highest decoration for an airman-for his 2013 actions in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. On Dec. 10, 2013, Ruiz, who was assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron at the time, conducted a raid in denied terrain along with a team of US Army Special Forces and Afghan commandos, according to his Air Force Cross citation. Ruiz and two of his Special Forces teammates were confronted by four insurgents at point-blank range after being separated from the rest of their team. Although they quickly eliminated the threat, they became trapped in a courtyard by intense insurgent crossfire. His two comrades were wounded, "rendering them immobile and exposed to enemy fire," states the citation. Ruiz "completely disregarded his personal safety and refused to withdraw to cover. Single-handedly suppressing enemy fire until reinforcements arrived."