{"id":45434,"date":"2020-11-12T19:16:10","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T19:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/11\/12\/no-wheels-no-canopy-no-problem-a-10-pilot-who-pulled-off-daring-landing-receives-distinguished-flying-cross\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:46:41","slug":"no-wheels-no-canopy-no-problem-a-10-pilot-who-pulled-off-daring-landing-receives-distinguished-flying-cross","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2020\/11\/12\/no-wheels-no-canopy-no-problem-a-10-pilot-who-pulled-off-daring-landing-receives-distinguished-flying-cross\/","title":{"rendered":"No wheels, no canopy, no problem: A-10 pilot who pulled off daring landing receives Distinguished Flying Cross"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the most impressive and daring emergency belly-landings<\/a> in recent memory has earned an A-10 Warthog<\/a> pilot the Distinguished Flying Cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maj. Brett DeVries, of the Michigan Air National Guard\u2019s 107th Fighter Squadron, received the DFC on Nov. 6 for \u201cextraordinary flight achievement\u201d for successfully landing his A-10 Thunderbolt II<\/a> without a canopy or functioning landing gear on July 20, 2017, at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Force Sec. Barbara Barrett presented the medal to DeVries at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan, the Air Force said in a Thursday release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Distinguished Flying Cross is America\u2019s oldest military achievement decoration,\u201d Barrett said in the ceremony. \u201cAwarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement that is \u2018entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine,\u2019 today, Maj. DeVries, you will join the ranks of some other American heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That harrowing emergency took place when DeVries, his wingman Maj. Shannon Vickers, and two other A-10s were training over Michigan\u2019s Grayling Air Gunnery Range, according to an August 2017 Air Force release. DeVries, who was a captain at the time, was in the middle of his second strafing run about 150 feet off the ground when his 30 mm gun misfired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the Warthog\u2019s entire canopy blew off. DeVries was struck with 325-knot winds, which slammed into his chest, caught his helmet and slammed his head back against the seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was like someone sucker punched me,\u201d DeVries said in 2017. \u201cI was just dazed for a moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots Maj. Shannon Vickers, left, and Capt. Brett DeVries of Selfridge Air National Guard Base. A gun misfire and blown canopy severely damaged DeVries’ Warthog in July 2017, forcing him to make an emergency landing with no landing gear as his wingman, Vickers, guided him in. DeVries was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on Nov. 6. (Terry Atwell\/Air National Guard)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DeVries struggled to control the aircraft and get to a higher altitude. He lowered the seat as far as it would go to try to get some protection from the wind that was buffeting his head around and get a grasp on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeVries needed help, fast. His wingman Vickers didn\u2019t see his canopy blow off, but he did see a \u201cdonut of gas\u201d from the gun envelope the plane. When Vickers saw DeVries start to rapidly climb, he realized something was wrong and flew over to assess the damage from beneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\t