CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Tech. Sgt. Tavis Delaney of the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, Washington Air National Guard, was awarded the Silver Star medal in a ceremony Sunday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Delaney was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Battle of Do Ab in Afghanistan on May 25, 2011. Brief helmet cam video of Delaney during the battle can be viewed at:
The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration awarded to a member of the U.S. armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy. Since Sept. 11, 2001, only two other members of the Washington National Guard have been awarded the Silver Star: Tech. Sgt. Kevin Whalen, Washington Air Guard, for actions in Afghanistan in 2003 and Spc. Gerrit Kobes, Washington Army National Guard, for actions in Iraq in 2004.
"We are incredibly proud of Tech Sgt. Delaney and the 116th ASOS. Time after time, they have been the decisive difference on the battlefield, and Tech. Sgt. Delaney is deserving of this high honor," said Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Lowenberg, the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard.
According to his Silver Star citation Delaney, "…heroically distinguished himself by gallantry in action and extremely valorous actions in the face of the enemy... His gallantry under fire saved the lives of more than 64 coalition forces (members), and contributed to the destruction of more than 200 Taliban insurgents."
The Airmen of the 116th ASOS are Tactical Air Control Party members; often considered the furthest extension of Air Force influence on the Army's battlefield. TACP Airmen deploy into combat with ground combat units and serve as close air support experts, advising ground commanders on the use of Air Force assets in combat. They serve as forward air controllers, guiding weapons onto target. Approximately 20 members of the squadron deployed to Afghanistan with Delaney from March 2011 to July 2011.