Airman to receive Silver Star after night raid with 75th Ranger Regiment
A tactical air control party airman assigned to 75th Ranger Regiment, like those pictured above in Afghanistan, will receive the Silver Star for his actions during a night raid last year. (Army)
Tech. Sgt. Cam Kelsch will be awarded both the Silver Star medal, and a Bronze Star with a V for valor, for two separate actions in Afghanistan. The ceremony will take place 9 April at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, in Pooler, Georgia. Kelsch is being recognized for his actions during a 25 April 2018 night raid against a high value target in Afghanistan.
During Kelsch’s mission, the TACP exposed himself to enemy fire in order to call in close-air support from an AC-130 gunship using 40mm air-to-ground munitions roughly 35 meters from his position.
“Minutes later and without regard for personal safety, Sergeant Kelsch willingly exposed himself to effective enemy fire again, by closing with the enemy in order to adjust fire and save the life of a wounded American team-mate by dragging him to safety under fire,” the Silver Star citation, provided to Air Force Times, reads.
Kelsch was hit by enemy fire. He then readjusted the AC-130 targeting and eliminated a heavy machine gun nest 70 meters away using 105mm rounds.
He maintained the flow of air-to-ground fires on the enemy positions while the friendly assault force fell back and regained composure. Kelsch was able to then identify the enemy defensive fighting position using intelligence aircraft overhead.
With a wounded American and Afghan commando on hand, the assault force prepped for exfiltration. Meanwhile, Kelsch ordered one last airstrike onto the enemy position with two F-16 Fighting Falcons using precision-guided 500 pound bombs and 105mm rounds from the AC-130.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kelsch will also receive the Bronze Star with Valor for a separate incident.
While serving with an interagency enabling team for a joint task force in Afghanistan, Kelsch placed himself between an enemy position and his ground force commander, who had been wounded during a near ambush.
“While still being engaged by enemy personnel in immediate proximity, Sergeant Kelsch eliminated the threat and allowed his ground force commander to regain his bearing,” the Bronze Star citation reads.
Tech Sgt. Cam Kelsch
“… using 105mm rounds.” That’ll shut ’em down. Bravo Zulu, Tech. Sgt. Kelsch- damned well done! The entire article may be viewed here: Air Force Times
Category: Afghanistan, Air Force, Bravo Zulu, The Warrior Code, Valor
Love the shadowy figure in the photo.
Someone will have to carry his stones to the point of presentation. What a Man. Thank you for your service, Warrior.
Has he thought of an inter-branch transfer, Air Force to Army?
Would be a waste of his skills, he has done his job over and above the usual requirements in this situation with the present service that he belongs to. With his dedication to his job at the time he managed to save a lot of lives, he would never have gotten this training from any other service.
Excellent job.
Well deserved.
Unlike GEN Perkins, who got his Silver Star as an LTC for his Battalion being the first to make it to Baghdad in 2003.
So yeah, an officer got a SS as a meritorious award. Eff that guy.
Slow Joe:
Why do you seem so bitter that General Perkins received a Silver Star for his participation during the beginning of OIF?
Out of curiousity, were you in the Army in 2003? Do you have any first hand knowledge of what took place in the planning of the invasion of Iraq as well as to what took place when we overtook Baghdad?
There were alot of “combat” awards issued during OEF and early OIF.
If you have a problem with an Officer receiving the Silver Star, perhaps you may want to do some research on LBJ’s Silver Star.
😉
I believe he is just trying to stir things up, because either he was not there or he never had the stones to do anything like this.
“he never had the stones to do anything like this”
I would not go there.
Outcast, you are rapidly getting in over your head.
We see what you did there, Pat.
*grin*
AnotherPat,
My issue is with awarding valor awards for meritorious service. They are very different.
I got nothing against an officer receiving a valor award, as long as he deserves it.
GEN Perkins has been in my chain of command more than once, all the way up there. His official picture was on my battalion’s wall, smiling with his Silver Star. On the opposite wall, where the pictures of my brothers in arms that never made it home. Two of them should have had received Silver Stars, for giving everything while assaulting the enemy ambush line, but their awards were downgraded to Bronze Stars with Vs.
GEN Perkins, on the other hand, got his Silver Star for, and I quote, “Colonel Perkins led his forces in his M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, at breakneck speed across the Iraq desert from Kuwait, in the “Thunder Run” to liberate Baghdad.”
Are. You. Serious.
According to regulations he should have never got a SS for that.
Army Regulation 600–8–22 :
https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/docs/r600_8_22.pdf
If want to read GEN David G. Perkins citation:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/29098
CITATION:
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) David Gerard Perkins, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while Commanding the 2d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, during combat actions in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, on 7 April 2003, in Iraq. Colonel Perkins led his forces in his M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, at breakneck speed across the Iraq desert from Kuwait, in the “Thunder Run” to liberate Baghdad. His gallant leadership and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
An article mentioning his exploits….
https://www.stripes.com/news/soldier-who-led-brigade-in-assault-on-baghdad-promoted-1.43244
Slow Joe: I appreciate what you wrote as well as your forthright honesty. I sat right next to Colonel Dave Perkins at a meeting when my Chain of Command was discussing Pre-OIF with him, i.e. before April 2003 (wow, has it really been 16 years?). I knew exactly what was going on and what was to take place with the 3rd ID. IMHO, I personally don’t think you are being fair to General Perkins. He did not raise his hand and said “Pick Me!” when his Brigade was designated to go into Iraq. If you think about it, any Infantry Officer other than General Perkins could have been selected to command that Brigade. The OIF Planners, to include General Officers (too many to name, but I remember them all) and CENTCOM, could have picked another Brigade, another Officer, but they didn’t… Colonel Perkins did not put himself in for a Silver Star. His Chain of Command did. The same goes with you. Your Chain of Command selected you to do a mission. Your Chain of Command recommeded you for a Valor Award. Just as Colonel Perkins, an Awards Board approved the recommendation for your award…and a General Officer agreed with the Board’s recommendation…and put his signature on the DA Form 638. I am sorry about the loss of your Brothers In Arms. The downgrade of their award did not make them any less of a being a Soldier. I don’t know the background as to why they did not receive a Silver Star.. there has to be a reason. But I do know this: They volunteered and served our Country..and sacrificed their lives in doing so. At one time in my Army life, I had the pleasure of working for Major General Steve Silvasy, who is now a retired US Army Infantry Officer. I will never forget what he said to us when he was addressing his troops. Talk about honesty and being humble. He made the comment that he probably made General Officer because “He was in the right place at the right time.” Colonel Silvasy had the lead… Read more »
“using 105 mm rounds.” You damn Skippy that will shut them down. Genuine flying Artillery (King of Battle)!
“35 meters and 75 meters from his position. Do believe IIRC that is what we would call “Danger Close”. And yeah, just for good measure let’s bring in some 500 pounders and a few more 105 mm for the exfil.
BZ Tech SGT Cam Kelsh. Would like to make that ceremony. Will probably be able to hear him clank across the stage from here. It’s only about 100 miles away. Brass on titanium will clang pretty loud. The Mighty 8th Museum is a nice facility. Y’all get a chance go visit it.
“Liked” the mobile fur missile standing by in the pic myself.
He should also receive an AF Comm for that Beard. It is friggen GLORIOUS.
What is this Bravo-Zulu stuff? It was Sierra-Hotel.
A Navy guy writing up an Air Force guy supporting Army guys gets a Bravo Zulu.
He does look as though he could carry more than his own weight.
Well done Cam … and yes the beard does add to the actions!
Job well done Cam!From an old Grunt that highly values USAF TAC Air!
Another addition to the Roster of heroes from our Fort Stewart HAAF family. As some of you know , I lost a friend who was in the 75th in March 4 2002 In the battle of Roberts Ridge. Needless to say , last months anniversary was very hard as usual. Keep these guys in your prayers. Great ppl to support and to know.
March 4 2002. When did I get so damn old?
I know the feeling Bro !
I’m pretty sure no Signal types were involved…..
Well I dunno., I’m sure some SOT-As were prob on the ground
Man,
This guy is so bad ass, his balls have balls of their own and *those* balls have their *own* beards.
😀 😀 😀 😀
I just stole that. It’s beautiful.