Copperopolis resident Air Force Tech Sgt. Tavis Delaney, a JTAC (joint terminal attack controller) with the 116th ASOS, stationed in Tacoma, Washington was recently submitted to receive the Silver Star.
40 U.S. service members, including two JTAC Airmen, and 20 Afghan counterparts responded to Do Ab after intelligence reports had indicated that 400 to 500 insurgents had overrun the district center.
The Silver Star is the third highest military decoration that can be awarded for valor in the face of the enemy. The second highest decoration is a service cross ( Distinguished service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross) with the highest decoration being that of the Medal of Honor.
Tavis Delany was not thinking of decorations or awards on May25, 2011 when in NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan, multiple airstrikes directed by the Washington Air National Guard helped an outnumbered U.S. Army and Afghan National Security Force unit fight through an insurgent ambush.
40 U.S. service members, including two JTAC Airmen, and 20 Afghan counterparts responded to Do Ab after intelligence reports had indicated that 400 to 500 insurgents had overrun the district center.
As lead JTAC Delaney was told be ready to go for a three-day mission and to be at the helicopter, in 52 minutes. He grabbed his partner Senior Airman Michael McCaffrey, equipment, and loaded into the awaiting CH-47 Chinook.
Landing in a valley surrounded by steep canyon walls in the shadow of the Hindu Kush mountain range, the terrain offered little, to no, coverage. Immediately after landing the team took fire from multiple directions and weaponry, including rocket propelled grenades, AK-47, machine guns and mortars. With Delaney and McCaffrey guiding bombs onto the enemy positions, the small infantry force escaped the open landing zone.
Seeking refuge in a few abandoned Afghan huts and rocked walled animal pens the team fought insurgents as close as 200 meters. According to reports, Delaney and McCaffrey continuously ran between the huts, under a hail of bullet fire and exploding RPG’s, to figure out where the greatest threats were coming from to control airstrikes on the advancing enemy fighters. Dropping bombs that close to US troops left no room for error.
After a safe return to their forward operating base with no US casualties, many on the ground felt that they owed their lives to the JTAC team.
Courtesy photo.
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