Sgt. Vicky Spesard). Keller, a combat control craftsman, distinguished himself in Eastern Afghanistan from April 23 through Oct. 1, 2017. Daniel P. Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics... Home Business The honor was presented by Gen. David L. Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, during a ceremony in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 13, 2019. Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, won the award, which is second only to the Medal of Honor. (Photo by Master Sgt. By Kentucky Air National Guard Dan Daniel Keller was part of a team that embarked on a clearance mission in Afghanistan. “It’s a necessary task that has to occur to get your friends the help they need,” the 34-year old native from Carlisle, Pa., told Military.com. Keller earned the Air Force Cross on Aug. 16, 2017, while serving as a joint terminal attack controller for Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Afghanistan during … Daniel Keller . UNITED STATES AIR FORCE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS . Sgt. Sgt. People are still getting hurt and getting killed in that fight today,” Keller said. Keller added that witnessing the local Afghans return to their lives after ISIS was defeated was a rewarding experience. Tag: Daniel Keller. After 15 hours of sustained contact, the assault force struck an improvised explosive device, killing four personnel and wounding 31. Today the U.S. Air Force chief of staff presented the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, for his actions on the battlefield in Afghanistan during the summer of 2017. LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Senior Master Sgt. Crawford hopes to fly A-10s for the Guard. “To be part of that, to assist those people and our [special forces] guys – it was an honor.”. Please note that the online archives of Air Force Magazine are complete through 1996. SIGN UP . The honor was presented by Gen. David L. Goldfein, Air Force … Sgt. According to the Air Force, his actions directly led to the deaths of 50 terrorists. At a ceremony at the Kentucky National Guard on Friday, Tech Sgt. Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky, Aug.13, 2019. Keller distinguished himself in 2017 for meritorious service in Eastern Afghanistan. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, is presented with the Air Force Cross by U.S. Air Force Chief of … David L. Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, presented the Air Force Cross to Staff Sgt. Special Tactics is the Air Force and Air National Guard's special operations cadre, leading personnel recovery, global access, precision-strike missions and battlefield medical care. (Photo by Staff Sgt. "Your actions are remarkable," Goldfein said, adding that Keller didn't give a second thought to risking "everything for a fellow teammate in a bad situation.". "When medical evacuation helicopters were unable to identify the landing zone, he sprinted to the center of the field, exposing himself to enemy fire in order to marshal in both aircraft and aid in loading causalities.". Air Force Staff Sgt. UNITED STATES . On August 16, 2017, every skill he had was put to use in a 15 hour battle that saw 4 men killed, and 30 wounded (31 by some counts). Keller served at a combat outpost where he conducted operations and engaged the Islamic State of Iraq in 51 intense fire … When Task & Purpose asked if Tech Sgt. | Sept. 13, 2019, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein (left) pins the Air Force Cross to the uniform of Tech. “His personal courage, quick actions and tactical expertise whilst under fire directly contributed to the survival of the 130 members of his assault force, including 31 wounded in action,” states the medal citation for Keller. Keller’s accomplishments on the battlefield … He added that it is “very humbling,” according to Stripes. "His courage, quick actions and tactical expertise ... under fire directly contributed to the survival of the 130 members of his assault force, including 31 wounded in action," the citation concluded. Army AH-64 Apaches, Air Force … Staff Sgt. 6,500 Honduran migrants headed to US, clash with Guatemalan troops and police. Daniel P. Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, in a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville. Air Force Magazine in an interview from Maryland where he is now assigned to the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Squadron in Baltimore, awaiting a pilot training slot. Daniel Keller, a Carlisle native, was awarded the Air Force Cross, the second-highest medal for valor for a U.S. airman, for his actions in Afghanistan in 2017. Struggling to his feet, he executed air-to-ground engagements while returning fire, repulsing an enemy assault less than 150 meters away. Tech Sgt. Joint Terminal Attack Controller Sgt Daniel Keller, is assigned to the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. ... Air Force Magazine is the official publication of the Air Force … (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. The Air Force … United States Air Force . Instead they conducted “clear and hold operations” to push ISIS forces out and maintain their command of the area while villagers displaced by Islamic State fighters could return to their homes. Gen. David L. Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, presented the Air Force Cross to Staff Sgt. "Today the U.S. Air Force chief of staff presented the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics … Kentucky Gov. “I think it’s amazing what a small group, like a special forces team and their partner forces, is capable of doing against these larger number [of ISIS fighters] who are dug in after taking over these people’s homes and villages.”. His performance resulted in seven medical evacuations of American and partner forces, 209 enemies killed in action, 11 enemies wounded in action, and 163 defensive fighting positions destroyed. Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, was presented with the Air Force Cross by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L… Tech Sgt. I’m very honored and humbled that the Air Force thinks what I did that day deserves this recognition.”, Keller received the Air Force Cross from the Kentucky Air National Guard for “extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.”. Daniel P. Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, has earned the Air Force Cross for his actions on a battlefield in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force Tech. Email First Name. Submitted Facebook On Aug. 16, 2017, in a rocky valley of eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, a house rigged with improvised explosives just feet away from the combat controller, exploded and forced Keller to the ground with injuries, Star and Stripes reported. Keller, in his second deployment to Afghanistan, and the rest of the commando team spent much of the deployment away from the relative protection of fortified compounds. State and national officials gathered for a ceremony last week to honor Kentucky Air National Guard Combat Controller Daniel Keller and give him one of the nation’s highest honors. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, left, pins the Air Force Cross to the uniform of Tech. Matt Bevin, R-Ky., also attended the ceremony, thanking Keller for his "heroic" actions. The award - second only to the Medal of Honor - is given to members of the armed forces who display extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. “The fighting was real – and it’s still going on. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein (left) pins the Air Force Cross to the uniform of Tech. Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air … Joshua Horton), Tech. ACM 37729 . Daniel Keller, a combat controller in the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air … Gov. Injured and struggling to his feet, Keller executed air-to-ground engagements while returning fire, repulsing an enemy assault less than 150 meters away. Daniel P. Keller, a combat controller in the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, has earned the Air Force Cross for his actions on a battlefield in Afghanistan. Sgt. 15 July 2013 . Sentence adjudged 28 May 2010by GCM convened at Eielson Air Force … Daniel Keller, assigned at the time as a joint terminal attack controller for Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Afghanistan, is credited with helping to save the … Founded in 1964, the Patrouille Suisse is the official Swiss Air Force jet aerobatic display team. … Daniel Keller's Air Force Cross could be one of the awards upgraded to the Medal of Honor, Goldfein said there's “always a chance,” but that is not … Tech. 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Staff Sgt. “Whoever’s available, they’re going to do it.”. “It’s weird, man. More would have died had Sgt Keller not taken the actions he did, according to the Air Force. September 13, 2019 at 7:01 PM EDT - Updated September 13 at 7:01 PM . Daniel Keller, a Carlisle native, was awarded the Air Force Cross, the second-highest medal for valor for a U.S. airman, for his actions in Afghanistan in 2017. See what Daniel Keller (kdaniel99999) found on Pinterest, the home of the world's best ideas. v. Technical Sergeant DENNIS D. KELLER . Keller is still an active-duty, full-time member of the Kentucky Air National Guard and has served with them since 2012. Keller earned the Air Force Cross on Aug. 16, 2017, while assigned as a joint terminal attack controller for Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Afghanistan during Operation Freedom's Sentinel. September 13, 2019 Kyle Perisic. In August 2017, Staff Sgt. Keller was on a clearance mission in Nangarhar Province against 350 Islamic state fighters, according to the award citation. Goldfein praised Keller's "courage under fire" and noted that only 10 Airmen have received the Air Force Cross since 9/11. With its shows, both at home and abroad, it has become a trademark for Switzerland, showing the capability, precision and readiness of the Swiss Air Force… Daniel James Keller, age 54, of Edon, Ohio, passed away at 8:30 P.M. on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Cleveland Clinic, where he was a patient, after a chronic illness. Daniel Keller, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, received the nation’s second-highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross, on Friday for his bravery fighting the Islamic State in a 15-hour firefight. Air Force Staff Sgt. Prior to 1996, issues may be missing from the online archive, or contain only selected articles. Keller shook off the blast, which ultimately left him with a traumatic brain injury, and continued to face enemy allowing 130 members of a U.S.-Afghan commando force to escape alive. Daniel Keller, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, received the nation’s second-highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross, on Friday for his bravery fighting the Islamic State … Pete Dinich, an active-duty pararescueman assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing. After 15 hours of continuous fighting, their assault force struck an explosive … Get the Daily AMN Briefing. As U.S. forces departed, Keller fought off a three-sided enemy attack by returning fire and passing enemy positions on to another joint terminal attack controller. Sgt. Kevin Seifert, Staff Sgt. Air Force Staff Sergeant receives Air Force … Staff Sargent Daniel Keller was awarded the Air Force Cross on Friday. He also served in the Navy from 2003 to 2009. Sgt. Tech. Keller then helped move 13 critically wounded casualties to a helicopter landing zone "under a hail of enemy fire," the citation said. who fought ISIS for 15 hours receives nation’s 2nd highest award for valor . Keller earned the award — second only to the Medal of Honor — for valor on the battlefield in Afghanistan. “You can see that it’s effective as you see the crops returning and seeing lights on at night in these places behind you that you just pushed through and cleared,” Keller said. “It’s also – you think about all the other guys in these events, and the amazing stuff you see guys do in combat that might not be recognized,” Keller said. Daniel P. Keller (right), a combat controller for the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, receives the Bronze Star Medal from Col. David Mounkes, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing, during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 17, 2018. Daniel Keller received the Air Force Cross, an award second only to the Medal of Honor, for combat valor. Keller … AFSOC Reviewing Valor Awards for Possible Upgrade. Mr. Keller was a 1982 graduate of Edon High School and served in the United States Air Force … LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A special operations Airman from the Kentucky Air National Guard Friday received the nation's second-highest medal for combat valor for his actions on an Afghanistan battlefield. A Silver Star medal for the same operation was presented at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 6 to Air Force Staff Sgt.