In July 2009, Lieutenant Colonel John Holm began a year deployment in Kabul, Afghanistan as an air advisor training Afghan Soldiers to fly Mi-17 helicopters in support of counterinsurgency operations.

Colonel Holm confronted an extraordinary challenge in February 2010, when a series of avalanches struck a two-mile stretch of road along the Salang Pass, burying hundreds of cars and stranding others in poorly ventilated mountain tunnels. With time running out for the survivors, Colonel Holm brilliantly led his team, flying multiple rescue sorties in treacherous conditions and landing on precarious ground over 10,000 feet above sea level. When Coalition forces called off rescue operations for the evening, Colonel Holm and his crew continued their efforts in the darkness, recovering another eighteen survivors. Three months later, Colonel Holm was returning from a training mission in Paktya Province when he encountered the aftermath of an improvised explosive device attack. He identified several burning vehicles and noted the presence of American personnel. Despite having an unqualified co-pilot and limited fuel, Colonel Holm returned to the attack site and landed his helicopter to assist the survivors.

Colonel Holm and his crew exited the helicopter and provided assistance to the wounded. They made three trips between the helicopter and the attack site, each time recovering a wounded Soldier. Finally, with time running out and his helicopter desperately low on fuel, Colonel Holm landed at the nearest Coalition hospital, saving the lives of all three Soldiers.

Lieutenant Colonel Holm’s willingness to risk his own life to save the lives of others reflects tremendous credit upon himself, as well as the Air Force in which he serves.