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

Short answer? No.

 

Longer answer? Hell, no.

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

 

-Eric

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?

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"

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

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]