Air Force TAC Receives Silver Star
Air Force TAC Receives Silver Star
Air Force Technical Sergeant Cam Kelsch, a Tactical Air Controller, was awarded the Silver Star, our military’s third highest honor for valor in combat, at the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force (Pooler, GA), on the morning of April 9, 2019.
TSgt. Kelsch is a member of the 17th Special Tactics Squadron and works alongside his colleagues in the 1/75 Ranger Regiment, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. He received this award for his heroics during a night raid with the Rangers on April 25, 2018, in Afghanistan.
TSgt. Kelsch exposed himself to enemy-fire to call in support from a C-130 gunship circling overhead. His citation reads, in part: “Minutes later and without regard for personal safety, TSgt. Kelsch willingly exposed himself to enemy fire, again, by closing with the enemy in order to adjust fire and save the life of a wounded American team-mate, by dragging him to safety under fire.” As the citation indicates, he was subsequently wounded, but continued to work with that C-130, and with two F-16s, to call-in even closer air support. His actions that night saved American and Afghan special operators lives.
The Silver Star medal was presented to TSgt. Cam Kelsch by Air Force Major-General Vincent Becklund, Deputy Commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command. He also presented Kelsch with the Bronze Star with Valor for his outstanding efforts in a separate mission.
Congratulations and sincere thanks for his courageous accomplishments as a TAC, working and fighting side-by-side with our Hunter-based Rangers. Important to note that, at this ceremony, the room at the Museum was filed with Rangers, there to applaud his vital assistance and bravery under fire, all in support of their critical combat actions.
(Combat information via airforcetimes.com, Kyle Rempfer)