Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks, an Air Pressure F-16 commander who intentionally flew into probably the most closely defended air-defense zones within the Center East and dodged enemy missiles for quarter-hour whereas dangerously low on gas, has been awarded the Silver Star, one of many nation’s highest honors for valor in fight.
Parks obtained the medal throughout a Pentagon ceremony Nov. 26. In keeping with an official Air Pressure launch, his actions throughout a high-risk mission in early 2025 not solely crippled enemy ballistic missile manufacturing services, however saved the lives of his wingman and sure prevented the lack of two American plane.
On the time, Parks was the commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and served as mission commander for a 21-aircraft strike bundle March 27.
Parks concurrently led a four-ship of F-16 Preventing Falcons tasked with Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, or SEAD, the mission accountable for drawing enemy fireplace and clearing a path for the remainder of the pressure.
“Parks deliberately positioned himself in risk vary of a fancy air protection zone defending the enemy’s capital,” the Air Pressure mentioned. His choice, the quotation states, was key to “crippling enemy ballistic missile manufacturing services.”
It additionally positioned his formation squarely within the crosshairs. Enemy forces fired a “barrage of exactly focused” missiles and anti-aircraft fireplace on the F-16s, triggering a 15-minute sequence of violent high-G maneuvers and countermeasures.
“For quarter-hour, with enemy missiles detonating mere toes from his plane, Parks led his flight by means of a collection of high-G maneuvers and countermeasure employment,” the quotation states.
The hazard didn’t finish as soon as the barrage stopped. Parks was nonetheless deep in enemy territory and under minimal gas ranges, in response to the Air Pressure. He rapidly coordinated an emergency rendezvous with two separate tankers to maintain the jets airborne lengthy sufficient to achieve security, a transfer the service mentioned probably prevented the lack of two plane.
The quotation concludes that Parks’ “brave and steadfast actions straight contributed to the survival of his wingman and himself.”
Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Air Pressure chief of workers, who offered the Silver Star, harassed the rarity of the dignity.
“It’s a uncommon day when somebody earns a Silver Star, with lower than 100 being earned throughout the Air Pressure period,” Wilsbach mentioned. “After listening to Skate’s story, his management, decisive motion and ability within the face of hazard, I completely consider he deserves this honor.”
Earlier than Parks’ ceremony, solely 96 Silver Stars had been awarded to Division of the Air Pressure personnel. Parks additionally obtained the Bronze Star Medal throughout the occasion.
The March mission occurred throughout an eight-month deployment wherein Parks and the 480th EFS supported Operations Prosperity Guardian, Inherent Resolve, Spartan Defend and Tough Rider. The operations targeted on countering Iranian-backed militants and hostile drone and missile threats throughout the area.
Throughout that deployment, the squadron recorded 108 aerial victories towards enemy drones and land-attack cruise missiles, a contemporary Air Pressure document, in response to official releases.
Parks is credited with pioneering cost-saving ways that used AGR-20F rockets, historically air-to-ground weapons, in an air-to-air function and prioritized older AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles over newer AIM-9X variants. These choices saved greater than $25 million and resulted within the first AIM-9M air-to-air kill in 30 years.
Six of the squadron’s 108 shootdowns protected the plane service USS Harry S. Truman and its crew of greater than 5,000 sailors.
Parks “personally defended towards 5 lethal surface-to-air missile engagements focusing on his plane,” the Air Pressure mentioned.
Talking on the ceremony, Parks described the emotional whiplash of the mission from the second he realized how alone he was over hostile territory to the reduction of listening to pleasant voices on the radio as he escaped the risk ring.
“The loneliness settles in … after which that transitioned in a short time to elation,” he mentioned. As I bought a bit bit nearer, the [command and control] companies and the Air Pressure crew began selecting me up, and my requests of ‘Hey, I need assistance! We’re out of gasoline. I want tankers moved.”
Parks mentioned the award carries particular that means due to his household’s deep aviation legacy, which spans World Warfare II, Vietnam and a number of generations of Air Pressure service.
“It’s unimaginable, and this implies loads,” he mentioned. “The quantity of aviation and all the pieces that we now have in our household, that’s what formed me and helped mould me.”
