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 Spangdahlem F-16 Pilot
Awarded Silver Star
Capt. Sonny Blinkinsop of the 23rd FS at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, was presented the Silver Star by Secretary of Defense William Cohen during a ceremony at Andrews AFB, Maryland. Blinkinsop received the Silver Star for his heroic efforts during Operation Allied Force. The Silver Star is one of the service’s most prestigious awards, and is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Blinkinsop received the award for a night mission on last May near Obrva, Yugoslavia. Blinkinsop led a formation of F-16s into the heavily defended Obrva airfield area. The area was defended by an array of surface-to-air missiles and antiaircraft sites. Minutes after the captain and his team established their combat air patrol, several missile launches were visually detected. Blinkinsop directed his wingman to fire a missile. As the pilot turned to fire, Blinkinsop’s flight came under fire. The captain immediately engaged the incoming salvos, and fired several missiles that subsequently shut down the site.
Blinkinsop credits the teamwork and dedication of his fellow squadron members. “Everything happened as it should have,” Blinkinsop said. “It’s team effort. We couldn’t have gotten it done without the people out on the line getting the jets ready and loaded.” |
