U.S. F-35 Airmen Decorated for Strikes on Iran and Houthi Operations
On May 21, 2025, the U.S. Air Force awarded six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 15 Bronze Stars to 388th Fighter Wing personnel for combat actions in the Middle East in 2025. The awards recognized participation in Operation Midnight Hammer (June 22, 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz) and Operation Rough Rider (a 52-day campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen). F-35A pilots from the 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron were the first U.S. aircraft into Iranian airspace, escorting B-2 bombers and suppressing air defenses. Iran retaliated against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
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F-35 Pilots Receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Midnight Hammer and Yemen Missions
Six airmen from the 34th Fighter Squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force's highest flight valor award, for their roles in Operation Midnight Hammer (June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities) and operations against Houthi forces in Yemen. The squadron, flying F-35As, deployed to the Middle East in early 2025. During Midnight Hammer, the F-35s were the first aircraft into Iranian airspace, escorting B-2 bombers and neutralizing enemy air defenses. Fifteen other squadron members received Bronze Stars. The awards were presented on May 21, 2026, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and announced on May 26. The article also notes previous awards to refueling and F-16 pilots for the same operation, highlighting the complexity and danger of the mission.
Task & PurposeF-35 Pilots Receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Midnight Hammer and Yemen Missions
Six airmen from the 34th Fighter Squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force's highest flight valor award, for their roles in Operation Midnight Hammer (June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities) and operations against Houthi forces in Yemen. The F-35A pilots were the first aircraft inside Iranian airspace, escorting B-2 bombers and neutralizing surface-to-air missile sites. Fifteen additional squadron members received Bronze Stars. The awards were presented on May 21, 2026, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and announced on May 26. The operation involved 125 aircraft, including seven B-2 bombers that dropped 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on two nuclear sites, while Navy cruise missiles struck a third. All aircraft exited Iranian airspace without losses.
Task & PurposeF-35 Pilots Receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Midnight Hammer and Yemen Missions
Six airmen from the 34th Fighter Squadron received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force's highest flight valor award, for their roles in Operation Midnight Hammer (June 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites) and operations against Houthi forces in Yemen. The squadron flew F-35As, serving as the first aircraft inside Iranian airspace to escort B-2 bombers and neutralize enemy air defenses. Fifteen additional squadron members received Bronze Stars. The awards were presented on May 21, 2026, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and announced on May 26. The article also notes previous awards to refueling and F-16 pilots for the same operation, highlighting the complexity and danger of the mission.
Task & PurposeF-35 Airmen Decorated for Combat Operations in Midnight Hammer and Rough Rider
More than a dozen Air Force personnel from the 388th Fighter Wing were awarded six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 15 Bronze Star Medals for their roles in combat operations in the Middle East in 2025. The awards were presented on May 21 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The operations included Operation Rough Rider, a 52-day campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen that began in March 2025, and Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 22, 2025, strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz. F-35A pilots from the 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flew missions within 24 hours of deploying, achieved the first F-35A kills of one-way attack drones, and were the first American aircraft to enter Iranian airspace, escorting B-2 bombers. The squadron suppressed enemy air defenses during the Iranian strikes, and the aircraft were the last American jets to leave Iranian airspace. Iran later retaliated against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-35 Airmen Decorated for Combat Ops in Midnight Hammer and Rough Rider
More than a dozen Air Force personnel from the 388th Fighter Wing were decorated with six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 15 Bronze Star Medals for their actions in combat operations in the Middle East in 2025. The awards were presented on May 21 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The operations included Operation Rough Rider, a 52-day campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen starting in March 2025, and Operation Midnight Hammer, strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025. F-35s from the 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron were the first American aircraft to enter Iranian airspace, escorting B-2 stealth bombers to bomb nuclear sites at Fordow and Natanz. The F-35s suppressed enemy air defenses and were the last American jets to leave Iranian airspace. The squadron also scored the first F-35A kills of one-way attack drones and contributed to destroying Houthi air defense systems and ballistic missile capabilities.
Air & Space Forces MagazineF-35 Airmen Decorated for Combat Operations in Midnight Hammer and Rough Rider
More than a dozen Air Force personnel from the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, received six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 15 Bronze Star Medals for combat actions in the Middle East in 2025. The awards were presented on May 21, 2025, for participation in Operation Midnight Hammer (strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025) and Operation Rough Rider (the spring 2025 campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen). F-35 pilots were recognized for missions including suppressing enemy air defenses, escorting B-2 bombers into Iranian airspace, and destroying Houthi air defense systems. The 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed on short notice in March 2025 and flew missions within 24 hours. F-35s from the squadron were the first American aircraft to enter Iranian airspace during Midnight Hammer and also scored the first F-35A kills of one-way attack drones. The operations involved close calls with Houthi surface-to-air missiles and Iranian retaliation against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Air & Space Forces Magazine