Overview
- Maj. Benjamin “Boom” Saunders, Maj. Eric “Fume” Anderson and Capt. Ryan “Hammer” Boodee received the DFC with the “C” device at a Feb. 1 ceremony at Joint Base Andrews led by Gen. Steven Nordhaus.
- The DC Air National Guard F-16 pilots flew as Viper 5-1 and Viper 6-1 from Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, during the April 13, 2024 defense of Israel.
- Saunders and Boodee engaged multiple drones with missiles, then used a 20mm cannon after expending ordnance, with Saunders credited with the first coalition shoot-down of the night.
- Official releases credit the two flights with about 15 drone kills and additional detections handed to coalition forces, while individual tallies were not disclosed.
- The Iranian attack involved more than 300 drones and missiles, with U.S. forces reporting over 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles destroyed, and numerous U.S. airmen later honored for the operation.