Joint Base Charleston airmen to be recognized for efforts during Afghanistan evacuation

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Pope Army Airfield, N.C., board a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., August 14,…

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Pope Army Airfield, N.C., board a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., August 14, 2021. The 82nd ABN soldiers were deployed to the Middle East in response to the Immediate Response Force activation by the Pentagon in order to provide safe and secure movement of U.S. personnel and Afghan Special Immigration Visa civilians. The IRF is comprised of combat team paratroopers from the 82nd ABN and is able to deploy within 18 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dawn M. Weber)

by: Tim Renaud

Posted: Nov 21, 2022 / 08:41 AM EST

Updated: Nov 21, 2022 / 10:37 AM EST

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – More than 30 Joint Base Charleston (JBC) airmen will receive a special honor on Monday for their actions during the evacuation of Afghanistan in August 2021.

U.S. Air Force General Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, is expected to award 36 ‘Distinguished Flying Crosses’ to Joint Base Charleston mobility airmen during a special ceremony at the base Monday morning.

Note: Joint Base Charleston added two additional airmen, bringing that number to 38. They later said 51 airmen were honored during the event.

The Distinguished Flying Crosses is the highest award for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, according to Joint Base Charleston.

Recipients of the award are being recognized, specifically, for their actions during ‘Operation Allies Refuge,’ which involved the Afghanistan evacuation and the “largest non-combatant evacuation operation in American history,” said officials with Joint Base Charleston.

That ceremony will take place Monday at 10:00 a.m.