Six F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots assigned to the 55th Fighter Squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their heroic actions in combat operations during a ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, May 5.
The aviators were honored for their actions during Operation Midnight Hammer, the United States' successful strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in June 2025. The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism while in flight and is among the nation's highest military decorations.
Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the ceremony and recognized the honorees for their dedication to duty. Their mission involved high-risk flights into heavily defended airspace.
"Operation Midnight Hammer, the strike that helped end the 12-day war, doesn't happen without these six airmen," Spain said. "That mission reminded every adversary watching that American airpower can be delivered anywhere, anytime, and for better or worse, make it look easy. But we know it's not easy."
Spain noted how rare it is for the DFC to be awarded, and how the aviators earned it by bravely engaging in direct combat with adversaries during Midnight Hammer.
"These results don't happen by accident," Spain said. "It was a product of years of discipline, training and a refusal to accept anything less than excellence from themselves and from each other."
He also acknowledged the team members, families and friends of the airmen being recognized, highlighting the importance of their support.
"To the maintainers, the [operations] team, the intel professionals, the logisticians who launched those jets, make no mistake, valor like this is forged by the formation," Spain said. "These six were the tip of the spear, but the spear was sharpened by every one of you. That's what readiness looks like."
Spain's closing comments further emphasized his pride toward the recipients, their families and Shaw Air Force Base. His words underlined how critical readiness is, and how the pilots' actions personified readiness and lethality.
"I couldn't be prouder of you or the system in our Air Force that continues to produce those in every generation willing and able to do the same," Spain said.