Nellis airmen decorated in war on terrorism

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

Four Nellis airmen were decorated for their efforts in support of the war on terrorism during recent ceremonies at the base.

Lt. Thomas Cahill Jr. was awarded both a Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his role as an HH-60 rescue helicopter pilot. Among other feats, the lieutenant flew a crippled aircraft through enemy-held positions in deteriorating weather to bring the aircraft, its 12 crew members and another aircraft, home safely.

Cahill's flight engineer, Sgt. Theodore Marich, was also awarded an Air Medal. Marich was also recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role as a flight engineer during a rescue mission in Afghanistan. The sergeant successfully directed his pilot into an extremely tight high-altitude landing zone under fire by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms to help evacuate five wounded servicemen.

Lt. Col. Burt Bartley was awarded the Bronze Star for merit for his action as the 18th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, who flew missions in support of Southern Watch, enforcing the no-fly zone over southern Iraq and Enduring Freedom, in support of the war on terrorism.

Under Bartley's leadership the squadron completed more than 800 combat sorties in a variety of roles. Bartley also was awarded the Air Medal for leading a combined F-16 fighter and B-1 bomber attack on two key Al Qaida targets.

Sgt. Mark Hodges was awarded the Air Medal for his courage and performance as an aerial gunner and air-refueling specialist in the rescue mission of a critically wounded coalition force member. Hodges was cited for his unwavering resolve during the mission carried out in low visibility over enemy territory.

Tasty competition

Already the winner of both the Army Guard state and regional competitions, the food service section of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron/221st Cavalry competed for the prestigious Philip A. Connelly Army Food Service Award Saturday.

The soldiers served a meal in a field environment near the Clark County Armory that was evaluated by two military and one civilian judge in the contest to determine the top two National Guard field kitchens in the nation.

Following regional competition, only seven units remain in the hunt for the Connelly Award. Chief Warrant Officer Leland Hawker, the state food service officer, said he believes the Nevada team has an excellent chance of becoming the first unit located west of the Mississippi River to garner the award.

"I think 1/221 CAV has an outstanding chance. The food service section has excellent personnel and attitude and receives tremendous command nd support," Hawker said.

The award is named after the late Philip Connelly, the former president of competition co-sponsor International Food Service Executives Association.

Band visits

The UNLV Community Concert Band will host the Air National Guard Band of the West Coast at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Artemus Ham Concert Hall on campus. The concert, conducted by Anthony LaBounty and Takayoshi 'Tad' Suzuki, is free and open to the public.

Tech Sgt. Gordon Williams, son of Roy and Jane Williams of Las Vegas, plays tenor saxophone and oversees public relations and multimedia operations for the unit.

In 1995 the band earned the prestigious Col. George S. Howard Award for military bands, the only Air National Guard band to receive the honor. This award is given to the best military concert bands throughout the world.

UNLV's Community Concert Band is open to Las Vegas-area residents and UNLV students who wish to perform in a concert band. The group plays a wide variety of music, performing on-campus and off-campus concerts each semester.

In brief

Hardy, the son of Carolyn Hardy of Las Vegas, received instruction about nuclear theory, chemistry, physics, reactor operations, safety and security and has been designated a nuclear propulsion plant operator.