1A7X1 Aerial Gunner Citations

Senior Airman David F. Phipps distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as HH-60G Aerial Gunner, 66th Rescue Squadron, 563rd Rescue Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada from XXXXX XXXXX to XXXXX XXXXX. During this period, Airman Phipps was scrambled on a short notice civil search and rescue mission, successfully locating and retrieving one U.S. civilian in less than eight hours, saving his life. In addition, he provided vital rescue coverage for the Nellis AFB airshow, guaranteeing rescue response for 17 airshow demo teams. Moreover, Airman Phipps completed a demanding night water operations certification, becoming one of only five squadron aerial gunners to hold this certification, and bolstering the squadron night water mission capability by twenty percent. Finally, while deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, he helped replace an engine generator on aircraft 65-XXXX, enabling the aircraft to assume Combat Search and Rescue alert coverage as scheduled. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Phipps reflect credit upon himself, the 66th Rescue Squadron and the United States Air Force.