The Aviation Well Done Award is presented to Major James Howell, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. On February 28,2008, Major Howell lead an A/OA-10C flight to the Barry M. Goldwater Range to conduct a medium altitude, close air support mission. Following a two-target strafe pass, he heard a loud pop from the nose of the aircraft, followed immediately by the loss of all pitot static gauges and a "gun unsafe" master caution light. He immediately called "knock-it-off." Without an operable altimeter, airspeed indicator, or stall warning system, Major Howell used known pitch and power settings to keep the aircraft flying. Major Howell's wingman rejoined on the crippled aircraft and reported a large hole under the aircraft in the area of the gun bay. Major Howell coordinated emergency transit through two active weapons delivery ranges and avoided populated areas along the route to the designated emergency divert airfield at Gila Bend Army Airfield. Major Howell conducted a controllability check and initiated an emergency approach into Gila Bend.
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