Foil: 9 Panel: 2 Column: 3 Line: 105

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Citation to accompany the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Captain Daren S. Sorenson distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flight as F-15E Pilot, 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 379th Expeditionary Operations Group, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing near AI Udeid Air Base, Qatar on 1 April 2003. On that date, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Captain Sorenson led a two-ship flight of Strike Eagles tasked to provide area interdiction and strike coordination and reconnaissance in support of coalition ground forces. The target was an elite Republican Guard armor division located on the outskirts of Baghdad, well within the lethal umbrella of surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. His task was to cover the assigned area for three hours locating and destroying the enemy unit's armored vehicles. Captain Sorenson searched his area of responsibility and discovered a previously unknown military area containing approximately 60 tanks and many other military vehicles.

Working closely with controlling agencies, he directed his flight to attack the tanks with laser-guided bombs, and coordinated for 14 other coalition aircraft to strike target groups that he had identified. During the attacks, his flight was targeted by continuous anti-aircraft artillery fire.

In addition. Captain Sorenson guided four precision-guided munitions of two flights experiencing targeting malfunctions. By the time he left the target, 100 weapons had been employed with confirmed kills on 70 tanks and support vehicles. By inflicting significant damage to an elite Iraqi armored unit while under heavy fire, Captain Sorenson's aviation prowess directly contributed to the coalition forces' move into Baghdad. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Sorenson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.