Three E-2C pilots awarded Armed Forces Air Medal for saving aircraft

The three aviators who saved a E-2C from crashing into the sea during a failed arrested landing aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Mar. 18 have been awarded the Armed Forces Air Medal.

160729-N-CZ759-002 ARABIAN GULF (July 29, 2016) Lt. Cmdr. Kellen Smith, assigned to the Screwtops of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 is awarded the Air Medal in the forecastle of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana/Released) — 160729-N-CZ759-002
ARABIAN GULF (July 29, 2016) Lt. Cmdr. Kellen Smith, assigned to the Screwtops of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 is awarded the Air Medal in the forecastle of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike). Ike and its Carrier Strike Group are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana/Released)

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Browning, Lt. Cmdr. Kellen Smith and Lt. Matthew Halliwell were presented the award for reacting in time to prevent the loss of an aircraft by maintaining positive control during the mishap, the press release said.