SSgt Andrew D. Kubik
Operation Enduring Freedom
November 23, 2011
Afghanistan
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM - SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA - AFGHANISTAN
ANDREW D. KUBIK
On 23 November 2011, while conducting combined combat operations in Afghanistan, SSgt Andrew D. Kubik distinguished himself through exceptionally conspicuous gallantry.
While attacking north through a valley near Takhteh Pol, Afghanistan towards Kandahar, Afghanistan with a 500-man anti-Taliban force (ATF), the element that SSgt Kubik was attached to as a special tactics squadron airman, Texas 17, became decisively engaged by a well-planned and executed three-way ambush.
Texas 17 and the forward element of the ATF found themselves pinned down by a withering barrage of anti-aircraft gunfire as well as rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. As a massive volume of fire rained down on them, stunning the coalition forces, SSgt Kubik stayed in his exposed position and calmly radioed for emergency drone air support.
With devastating effectiveness, SSgt Kubik level-headedly controlled numerous bombing runs that set the conditions for the Texas 17-ATF counterattack that swept the battlefield of enemy forces.
His efforts were overwhelmingly responsible for breaking the back of Taliban resistance on the Texas 17-ATF line of march and cleared the way for the final offensive on Kandahar and subsequent coalition victory in southern Afghanistan.
His actions are in keeping with the highest standards expected of members of the 23rd STS, the United States Air Force and the profession of his arms.
