French rescue pilot earns two Air Medals

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Steve Gregg
  • 41st Rescue Squadron
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  A French helicopter pilot assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron recently won two Air Medals for his service in Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Captain Guillaume Vernet, an HH-60G pilot, and his crew are credited with saving 22 coalition lives and assisting in saving another 28 lives during a recent 60-day tour in Afghanistan. 

"Captain Vernet's service is a testament to the joint and coalition support the Air Force is providing in Afghanistan, which often goes without recognition," said Lt. Col. Edward Lengel, 41st Rescue Squadron commander. "The sacrifice put forth by him and his family in the name of Air Force rescue is inspiring."

Captain Vernet is part of a three-year exchange officer program with the 41st RQS. He was selected for the exchange program in 2007 and subsequently assigned to the 23rd Wing after attending the HH-60G qualification course at Kirtland AFB, N.M. 

Active-duty and reserve HH-60G units currently deploy to both Afghanistan and Iraq to support the full spectrum of personnel recovery capabilities. 

During the two months he was deployed, the captain's crew flew 57 combat missions and provided over 636 hours of alert presence for the 301st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron based at Kandahar and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. 

"Captain Vernet's outstanding performance during his deployment was noted by both the deputy commander of the 451st Air Expeditionary Group and the commander of the 301st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron," said Colonel Lengel. "He performed exceptionally well during one sortie when his wingman sustained a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade. His efforts were instrumental in getting a wounded soldier in the crippled aircraft to medical care without delay."

Captain Vernet previously flew the SA-330B Puma in the French air force. His experiences include flying in several parts of the world, such as New Caledonia, Canada, and Djibouti, Africa. 

As an exchange pilot, he will gain skills in aerial refueling and combat search and rescue task force planning and execution, both of which are emerging capabilities of the French air force. 

In 2007, the French air force revived an exchange program with the U.S. Air Force. They are currently placing officers across the Air Force to increase understanding of U.S. military operations and strengthen future alliances. 

Meanwhile, U.S. personnel gain perspectives required to integrate new cultures and views into operations.