{"id":20868,"date":"2018-07-12T20:16:46","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T20:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/07\/12\/air-force-awards-first-ever-r-devices-for-remote-combat-ops\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:34:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:34:02","slug":"air-force-awards-first-ever-r-devices-for-remote-combat-ops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/07\/12\/air-force-awards-first-ever-r-devices-for-remote-combat-ops\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force awards first-ever ‘R’ devices for remote combat ops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Air Force awarded its first-ever remote “R” devices <\/a>Wednesday to five airmen from the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing<\/a> at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada<\/a>. The airmen received either Meritorious Service medals or Air Force Commendation medals with the device. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorized in 2016, with criteria released just last year, the device was established to recognize airmen who have participated in \u201chands-on employment of a weapons system that had direct and immediate impact on a combat operation or other military operations,” according to the Air Force<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actions that qualify airmen for the device can be performed in any domain, including cyber, but must not expose the individual to hostile fire. The award ceremony Wednesday recognized remotely piloted aircraft crewmembers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a great honor to recognize the contributions of these airmen,” Col. Julian Cheater, 432nd Wing commander, said during the award ceremony, according to an Air Force press release<\/a>. \u201cMuch of the world will never know details of their contributions due to operational security, but rest assured that they have made significant impacts while saving friendly lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The five airmen, whose surnames were all withheld from the press release, received the device for actions over the course of three separate combat operations in which they were protecting U.S. and allied ground forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The five remote \u201cR\u201d device recipients sit during the remote \u201cR\u201d device presentation ceremony July 11, 2018, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. Their selection was based on stringent criteria, including strategic significance, protection of ground forces, leadership displayed, critical thinking, level of difficulty and innovation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Thompson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three combat engagements:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retired Maj. Asa and Capt. Evan, both MQ\u22129 Reaper pilots, were singled out for combat operations in February 2016. Over the course of 74 days worth of reconnaissance missions in an undisclosed area of operations, the two pilots found and tracked an individual who was the theater\u2019s No. 2 high-value target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pilots then coordinated a strike as the individual traveled through a dense urban area in a vehicle at high speeds. Evan\u2019s crew \u201clased\u201d the target, while Asa shot off a laser-guided missile, successfully impacting the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evan said the new decoration device could help shed light on the impact drone aircrews have on the battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI went home that night, and I knew what I did,\u201d said Evan. \u201cI think to the outside community, something like this will give a sense of perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t