Capt. Lacie Hester (left) and Maj. Benjamin Coffey (right) watch the closing of the awards ceremony at RAF Lakenheath in England on November 12, 2024. Each received a Silver Star. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

RAF LAKENHEATH, England – An Air Force officer who became the third woman to be awarded the Silver Star since World War II was among 30 service members honored this week. We’re fighting a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones During an unprecedented retaliatory strike against Israel earlier this year.

Weapons systems officer Capt. Lacie Hester was awarded the third-highest military decoration for bravery in combat at a ceremony at RAF Lakenheath in England on Tuesday. Major Benjamin Coffey, pilot of the two-seat F-15E, also received the award along with Hester.

More than 150 people attended the ceremony commemorating the award recipients, including ground crews who kept the pilots in combat during the April 13-14 Iranian attacks.

Hester and Coffey were part of the coalition air mission that countered Iran’s launch of more than 300 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as unidirectional attack drones.

During their first flight, the pair intercepted six drones flying at low altitude in the dark, the Air Force said.

The fighter was forced to return to an undisclosed base in the Middle East because the missile failed to fire. Coffey and Hester hid in a nearby bunker in case of a possible attack on the base.

After learning that a new F-15 was ready and hearing explosions from missile intercepts, they left the shelter for a second flight.

A similar F-15, flown by US forces during Iran’s attack on Israel on April 13-14, 2024, was exhibited at the award ceremony held in RAF Lakenheath, England, on November 12, 2024. F-15E was used. In the fight of two Air Force members who were awarded the Silver Star at the ceremony. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

F-15 pilot Air Force Maj. Benjamin Coffey received the Silver Star at RAF Lakenheath, England, on Nov. 12, 2024, for his actions in protecting Israel from an Iranian missile and drone attack in April. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa, speaks at an awards ceremony on behalf of soldiers who helped repulse the Iranian attack on Israel on April 13-14, Nov. 12, 2024. 30 award winners attended the ceremony held in RAF Lakenheath, England. Two of them were awarded the Silver Star. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy “Diesel” Causey was one of six soldiers to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross on Nov. 12, 2024, for their actions in defending Israel against an Iranian air attack on April 13-14. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

During both flights, the duo fired all available weapons. Officials said Hester also directed warplanes to the region until the end of the Iranian attack.

Despite the risks, they remain focused on completing their missions and returning to safety, Lt. Col. Timothy “Diesel” Causey, 494th Fighter Squadron commander, said Tuesday.

“It was just a beautifully executed symphony,” Causey said.

Causey was one of six men to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. In all, 14 officers earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in some way. It recognizes the recipient’s “heroism or extraordinary achievement” in participating in the flight.

Six individuals, ranging from airman first class to staff sergeant, received the Air and Space Achievement Medal, while six others earned commendation medals.

Major Clayton Wicks and Master Sgt. Timothy Adams was awarded Bronze Stars for his efforts, which included directing maintenance, refueling and reloading operations for a dozen F-15s for seven hours while under threat of Iranian attack.

Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa, praised the honorees and the collective efforts of the 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Panthers.

“You never know when your time will come, but you have to be ready when your time comes,” Hecker said. “I’m happy to say the Panthers are ready.”

In all, seven women received the Silver Star, and Hester placed first in the Air Force. Three others received the Citation Star award, the forerunner of the current medal.

Pfc. Monica Lin Brown received the Silver Star award for treating wounded soldiers under intense small arms and mortar fire in Afghanistan in April 2007.

Then Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, no relation to Capt. Lacie Hester, was awarded the medal for her actions during an enemy ambush on a supply convoy near the Iraqi town of Salman Pak in March 2005. She became the first woman to receive this award since World War II.

The plaques of 30 soldiers who fought against Iran’s attack on Israel on April 13-14, 2024, were exhibited at the award ceremony held in RAF Lakenheath, England, on November 12. Awards included 14 Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars and two Silver Stars. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)

A Silver Star medal was affixed to Major Benjamin Coffey’s plaque. Pilot Coffey was awarded on November 12, 2024, for his actions in helping protect Israel against an Iranian drone and missile attack on April 13-14. The medal is the third-highest military decoration awarded to members of the armed forces for bravery in combat. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)