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Capt. John Vargas, an F-16 pilot assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron at Aviano AB, Italy, is the 2006 winner of the Col. James Jabara Award for excellence in airmanship displayed in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Joint Forge. Vargas provided close air support and employed ordnance on high-value targets during forty-five missions totaling more than 200 hours in Iraq and Afghanistan. During one sortie, he flew at high speed and low altitude expending flares directly over suspected enemy locations to allow a convoy of allied forces to move to safety. Vargas was also involved in developing F-16 mission tactics, techniques, and procedures, including urban close air support, convoy support, and integration with Special Forces. The award is presented annually by the US Air Force.
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