Maj. John Mangan, an HH-60G helicopter pilot, has won the Cheney Award for the rescue of two critically injured marines in Helmand Valley, Afghanistan, on July 2, 2009, Air Force officials announced, Dec, 6, 2010. Mangan, assistant director of operations for the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., led his formation of two HH-60s to reach the marines, executing multiple approaches into two different landing zones despite intense enemy fire and a lack of communications with ground forces. Here, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presents Mangan with the award at the Pentagon, Oct. 15, 2010.
Air Force photo by Jim Varhegyi