Major David Rayman 

On July 27, 2006, then Capt. David Rayman led a two-ship formation of A-10s in support of a troops-in-contact situation in Central Afghanistan. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) reported a friendly convoy was receiving small arms, rocket-propelled grenade and heavy machine gun fire, and requested immediate close air support.

Heavy haze and dust made it impossible for Captain Rayman to make visual contact with the target area at altitudes above 5,000 feet and distances beyond two miles. He knew he had to get low to be effective. Fully aware of the risks involved, he descended and made a hazardous low-altitude pass to identify the target and force the enemy to break contact. While he was able to locate the target, the enemy was undaunted and continued to press its attack. Captain Rayman would have to employ his weapons to protect the “friendlies” on the ground.

Poor visibility made safe employment of his ordnance extremely complex. To add to his difficulties, his wingman’s radio failed and the JTAC was not co-located with the convoy under attack. Despite these challenges, the nine-year Air Force veteran repeatedly employed weapons within 100 meters of the friendly convoy along a three-and-a half kilometer “kill zone.” The convoy was able to successfully disengage under the cover of Captain Rayman’s gun, rocket and bomb passes, which destroyed the enemy’s strongholds. In all, he precisely employed more than 600 30-millimeter rounds, eight rockets, and one MK-82 bomb under very difficult environmental conditions.

When it was over, Captain Rayman had not only killed many insurgents and destroyed the enemy fighting positions; he saved the lives of the coalition convoy members.