Drone aces

[Marshallj]

I saw an article about RAF regiment gunners who have earned the title of “drone aces” for shooting down drones. Will there be a new award for this?   https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/raf-drone-ace-shot-down-b2947809.html?utm_source=taboola&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=embed1

[Baseplate]

Short answer? No.

 

Longer answer? Hell, no.

[teamski]

I don't know.  The USAF is giving out Silver Stars for shooting down drones for Pete's sake 

 

-Eric

[Marshallj]

10 minutes ago, teamski said:

I don't know.  The USAF is giving out Silver Stars for shooting down drones for Pete's sake 

 

-Eric

Really?

[Ludwigh 1980]

I was really hoping to see some Memes in this thread. "Is that the new Space Force dress uniform....is that leather? No that that's the top scoring drone ace....Baron Von Cybr"

[Marshallj]

Still waiting on names of silver star recipients and actions they were involved in.

[lmrobil]

On 5/3/2026 at 5:11 AM, Marshallj said:

Still waiting on names of silver star recipients and actions they were involved in.

 

Here's the AI result to a quick Google search...

 

AI Overview

+3

Yes, the US Air Force awarded Silver Stars—the nation's third-highest valor medal—to F-15E pilots and weapon systems officers for shooting down Iranian drones and missiles attacking Israel in April 2024. [1, 2]

Key Recipients: Capt. Lacie "Sonic" Hester and Maj. Benjamin "Irish" Coffey from the 494th Fighter Squadron received the Silver Star for their actions during the April 13-14, 2024, attack.Historic Award: Capt. Hester is the first female Air Force member to receive the Silver Star for combat actions.The Mission: The crew operated in darkness, engaging numerous one-way attack drones using the F-15E's air-to-air gun, even while facing aircraft emergencies and flying through falling debris from destroyed threats.Significant Action: Their unit was part of a larger, intense engagement that saw over 80 Iranian drones downed that night. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Additionally, three Air National Guard pilots were awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses for shooting down over a dozen drones during the same event. [1]