Airman Cited for Heroism, Summits Denali

An Air National Guard pararescueman received the Silver Star and two Bronze Star medals May 18 for valor in Afghanistan. Less than a week after the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Bill Cenna of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska-based 212th Rescue Squadron took part in a training exercise that involved climbing the state’s Mount McKinley – in temperatures that dipped down to 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. According to official records, Cenna and four colleagues earned their medals during a mission to rescue two Army OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilots who crashed in mountainous terrain. After rescuing the first pilot, Cenna and a comrade were dropped near the site where the other pilot had crashed. The second pilot, they learned, had died. Still, they stayed with his remains and fought off enemy fighters for five hours, until they could be airlifted to safety. The four colleagues – Capt. Chris Keen, Master Sgt. Chad Moore, Tech Sgt. Chris Harding and Staff Sgt. Nic Watson – each earned Bronze Star medals for their efforts. The climb of Mount McKinley – known also in Alaska as Denali – was a milestone on the 212th’s mission continuum, as far as Cenna was concerned. “It’s just one facet of our training. When you’re out there, resources and rescue are very limited, so you basically have to take care of yourself and plan ahead,” said Cenna. “It’s about 90 percent survivability and 10 percent climbing.” Five other airmen took part in the Denali climb with Cenna.