Air Force F-16 commander earns rare Silver Star for Middle East mission: ‘Missiles detonating mere feet’ away
Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks, an Air Force F‑16 commander, earned the Silver Star for a daring low‑fuel run in one of the Middle East’s most heavily defended air‑defense zones. In a high‑stakes June 2025 mission, he navigated his squadron through tightly‑spaced missile threats for fifteen minutes, evading enemy fire that came ever closer to his aircraft.
The award was presented at a Pentagon ceremony on Nov. 26. An Air Force statement said Parks’ actions not only crippled an enemy ballistic‑missile production complex but also saved his wingman’s life and probably kept two U.S. aircraft from being lost.
At the time, he was leading the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and commanded a 21‑aircraft strike package on March 27. That day, he flew a four‑ship F‑16 squadron on a Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission—a task that draws enemy fire so the rest of the force can get past the zone unscathed.
“Parks deliberately placed himself in threat range of a complex air‑defense zone protecting the enemy’s capital,” the Air Force said. The citation notes that his decision was pivotal in “crippling enemy ballistic missile production facilities.”
The enemy launch a barrage of precisely targeted rockets and anti‑aircraft fire at the F‑16s, forcing a full fifteen minutes of hard‑G maneuvers and counter‑measure operations.
“During that time, with enemy missiles detonating just feet from his aircraft, Parks led his flight in a sequence of high‑G tactics and counter‑measure deployment,” the citation records.
The danger didn’t end once the barrage ceased. Parks was still deep within enemy territory and below the minimum fuel threshold. He quickly coordinated an emergency rendezvous with two separate tankers, enabling the jets to stay aloft long enough to reach secure airspace—a move that, according to the Air Force, probably saved two aircraft.
The citation concludes that Parks’ “courageous and steady actions directly contributed to the survival of his wingman and himself.”
Gen. Ken Wilsbach, the Air Force chief of staff who handed out the medal, highlighted how rare the award is. “It’s a rare day when someone earns a Silver Star, with fewer than 100 being awarded during the Air Force era,” he said. “After hearing Skate’s story, his leadership, decisive action, and skill in the face of danger, I absolutely believe he deserves this honor.”
Only 96 Silver Stars had been given to Department of the Air Force personnel before Parks’ ceremony, and he also received the Bronze Star Medal at the same event.
The March mission was part of an eight‑month deployment during which the 480th EFS supported Operations Prosperity Guardian, Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, and Rough Rider. Those operations focused on countering Iranian‑backed militants and hostile drone and missile threats across the region.
During the deployment, the squadron logged 108 aerial victories against enemy drones and land‑attack cruise missiles—a modern Air Force record, according to official releases.
Parks has been credited with pioneering cost‑saving tactics, such as repurposing AGR‑20F rockets—normally air‑to‑ground munitions—for an air‑to‑air role, and by prioritizing older AIM‑9M Sidewinder missiles over newer AIM‑9X variants. Those choices saved more than $25 million and led to the first AIM‑9M air‑to‑air kill in three decades.
Six of the squadron’s 108 shootdowns protected the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its crew of over 5,000 sailors. Parks also “personally defended against five deadly surface‑to‑air missile engagements targeting his aircraft,” the Air Force noted.
Speaking at the ceremony, Parks described the emotional roller coaster of the mission—from the moment he realized he was alone over hostile airspace to the relief when friendly voices came over the radio as he broke out of the threat ring.
“The loneliness settles in … and then that transitioned very quickly to elation,” he said. “As I got a little bit closer, the [command and control] agencies and the Air Force team started picking me up, and my requests of ‘Hey, I need help! We’re out of gas. I need tankers moved.’”
For Parks, the award also carries deep personal significance. He comes from a family with a long aviation heritage, spanning World War II, Vietnam, and multiple generations of Air Force service. “It is incredible, and this means a lot,” he said. “The amount of aviation and everything that we have in our family, that’s what shaped me and helped mold me.”
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