Amid a fierce firefight in Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Craig Andrle sprang into action to provide much-needed support to a brigade of Army Rangers under heavy attack.
He quickly used up all the munitions on his F-16, then made a rapid return to base, switched to another aircraft, and re-entered the fray to assist his comrades once again.
The Urgent Call to Action
The day began with Andrle at Bagram Air Base, preparing for a routine flight.
Suddenly, he saw an AC-130 gunship making an unplanned landing, a clear signal that something critical was unfolding on the battlefield.
About 50 miles away, a group of Army Rangers was locked in fierce combat, and the fact that the AC-130 had run out of ammunition indicated just how serious the situation had become.
Understanding the urgency, Andrle recalled that the AC-130 was usually a powerful asset in such situations, so its return without munitions suggested dire circumstances.
With the gunship barely vacating the runway, Andrle and his wingman from Shaw Air Force Base took off for the crisis zone, just a quick ten-minute flight away.
This mission, which took place in early 2017, would later be celebrated as part of Air Force history due to the extraordinary events that unfolded.
Heroic Actions in Combat
Within hours, Andrle skillfully flew into the thick of battle, expending all his munitions and engaging enemy positions with the aircraft’s cannon.
Once he had depleted his arsenal, he quickly returned to Bagram, switched to a fully loaded backup F-16, and dove back into the fight, releasing all the bombs on that aircraft as well.
Both missions involved Andrle dropping ordnance almost immediately after takeoff.
He had spent all available weapons by the time other U.S. aircraft, including the rearmed AC-130, arrived to offer support.
Andrle’s journey began in a small farming community in Ely, Iowa, where becoming a pilot was not his initial dream.
His aspirations were modest, focusing on attending college.
However, after learning about a cousin’s friend who secured a Naval ROTC scholarship, he expressed interest in the military.
Andrle applied for and received an Air Force ROTC scholarship, which helped him graduate from the University of Iowa and follow his aviation aspirations.
A Collective Effort
Over the years, Andrle rose through the ranks and completed four deployments after the September 11 attacks, spending two tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.
While his first three deployments involved stable operations, the fourth—spanning from late 2016 to early 2017—became particularly intense.
By December 2016, Andrle, now a lieutenant colonel, led the 79th Fighter Squadron, a renowned unit known as the Tigers, with a critical mission of Suppressing Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD).
These duties often involved high-risk engagements against enemy forces.
As the 79th Squadron arrived in Bagram in early 2017, tensions escalated following an announcement by Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who pledged to take action against ISIS worldwide.
Consequently, air support capabilities were redirected, and the 79th found itself as the sole provider of close air support throughout Afghanistan.
With only twelve F-16s stationed, the squadron kept two jets airborne at all times, loaded with precision-guided munitions.
Throughout the deployment, Andrle and his fellow pilots developed a strong rapport with the nearby Army Rangers, coordinating daily operations to plan their missions effectively.
On April 17, 2017, the 79th received an urgent call concerning a task force of Army Rangers located in Nangarhar province.
They had engaged enemy forces entrenched in a town, leading to fierce combat.
The two F-16s that were already in the air quickly dropped their ordnance, alongside the AC-130.
Realizing the critical lack of aerial support after observing the AC-130 return, Andrle and his wingman prepared for their next mission.
After receiving instructions, Andrle took off despite not having a visual confirmation of the target, willing to take the risk to aid the Rangers.
Within minutes of takeoff, he successfully dropped a 2,000-pound JDAM bomb on the enemy’s fortified position.
Continuing to engage the adversaries, Andrle swiftly depleted his ammunition.
With fuel running low, he contacted the operations desk to secure a replacement F-16 and, within 39 minutes of landing back at Bagram, had transitioned to another fully armed jet.
Re-entering the battle, Andrle was tasked with another strike against an enemy stronghold, following through with additional munitions as the conflict evolved.
Eventually, two more F-16s from his squadron joined, alongside the now-resupplied AC-130.
Reflecting on the day’s events, Andrle recognized the mission’s success as a collective effort, crediting teamwork over individual accolades.
Following his retirement in 2023 as the commander of the 388th Fighter Wing, Andrle settled back in Iowa with his wife.
Despite the remarkable nature of his mission, he chose not to seek any formal commendations, believing that their actions were simply part of their duty to support fellow soldiers.
Source: Taskandpurpose.com