Lt.Col. William “Skate” Parks: Viper Pilot Awarded Silver Star

Targeted by Missiles and Guns over Sanaa

During an ongoing mission to target Houthis who have been threatening the entire region around Yemen, Parks and four other Viper pilots were to be the decoys for enemy ground fire. Dodging many anti-air missiles, some of which exploded within feet of Parks’ F-16, and ground fire from anti-aircraft guns, Parks and his team managed to keep from being shot down over hostile enemy territory. For 15 minutes they held their position while the rest of a strike was targeting enemy emplacements. Almost out of fuel, Parks figured out a way for the team to be refueled, while he continued to dodge enemy fire. Out of time, they managed to hook up with some KC-130 tankers as their vipers sucked fumes. Lt.Col. Parks is credited with saving himself and his wingman as well as contributing to the success of the mission. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star. It takes guts to be a clay pigeon…..even if the pigeon is an F-16. Valor is in you. Set it free.