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![Maj. Mike “Vago” Hilkert, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot with the 303rd Fighter Squadron, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Oct. 2, 2021, in the 5-Bay hangar on Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Hilkert received the award for actions taken on a combat search-and-rescue mission in 2011 in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan. (Staff Sgt. Kristin Cerri/Air Force)](https://www.airforcetimes.com/resizer/4Lp-Y3Gx3Q2Zv9fHdHaTcnOJzpI=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/3BGDCNGB7JESZNBYYOYNB5MQQ4.jpg)
A harrowing night in Afghanistan earns A-10 pilot the Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 years later
Lt. Col. Mike Hilkert helped save the lives of more than 30 soldiers and airmen.
Defense spending increase, Afghanistan withdrawal dominate debate over defense policy measure
House Armed Services Committee advances 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.
US Navy says drone strike hit oil tanker off Oman, killing 2
Navy EOD techs believe a “drone strike” targeted an oil tanker that came under attack off the coast of Oman.
US kept exact details of Bagram exit from Afghan commander for OPSEC, says Pentagon spokesman
“It wasn’t done in some sort of shroud of secrecy,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
By Howard Altman