Valor in the Face of Enemy Fire: Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks’ Historic Mission
In a ceremony at the Pentagon on November 26th, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks the Silver Star, one of the nation’s highest honors for combat valor. This rare distinction—fewer than 100 have been awarded during the Air Force’s history—recognizes his extraordinary courage during a high-stakes combat mission in early 2025. As commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Parks deliberately placed himself in extreme danger by flying an F-16 Fighting Falcon into one of the Middle East’s most heavily defended airspaces. For 15 harrowing minutes, he maneuvered his aircraft through intense anti-aircraft fire and precisely targeted enemy missiles while dangerously low on fuel, ultimately saving both his own life and that of his wingman.
The March 27th mission saw Parks leading a 21-aircraft strike package while simultaneously commanding a four-ship formation of F-16s tasked with Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). This crucial role required Parks to intentionally draw enemy fire to clear a path for the larger strike force. His decision to place himself within range of a sophisticated air defense network protecting an enemy capital proved pivotal in crippling ballistic missile production facilities. However, this strategic choice also put his formation directly in the crosshairs of enemy forces, who responded with a coordinated barrage of missiles and anti-aircraft fire. For a quarter of an hour, Parks executed a series of violent high-G maneuvers and deployed countermeasures as enemy missiles detonated mere feet from his aircraft.
Even after surviving the missile barrage, Parks faced another life-threatening challenge: his jet was deep in enemy territory and critically low on fuel. Demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure, he coordinated emergency rendezvous with two separate aerial refueling tankers, ensuring his formation had enough fuel to reach safety. Air Force officials noted that these quick actions likely prevented the loss of two American aircraft. “The loneliness settles in… and then that transitioned very quickly to elation,” Parks recalled of the experience. “As I got a little bit closer, the command and control agencies and the Air Force team started picking me up, and my requests of ‘Hey, I need help! We’re out of gas. I need tankers moved.'”
The March mission was part of an exceptional eight-month deployment during which Parks and the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron supported multiple regional operations: Prosperity Guardian, Inherent Resolve, Spartan Shield, and Rough Rider. These operations focused on countering Iranian-backed militants and responding to hostile drone and missile threats across the Middle East. During this deployment, the squadron achieved a modern Air Force record with 108 aerial victories against enemy drones and land-attack cruise missiles. Six of these shootdowns directly protected the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its crew of more than 5,000 sailors. Throughout the deployment, Parks personally defended against five deadly surface-to-air missile engagements targeting his aircraft.
Beyond his battlefield courage, Parks demonstrated remarkable tactical innovation by pioneering cost-effective combat approaches. He introduced tactics using AGR-20F rockets—traditionally air-to-ground weapons—in an air-to-air role and prioritized older AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles over newer, more expensive AIM-9X variants. These practical decisions saved more than $25 million and resulted in the first AIM-9M air-to-air kill in 30 years, showcasing Parks’ ability to adapt and maximize resources in a combat environment. Such innovations highlight the kind of creative problem-solving that complements pure courage in modern warfare, where strategic thinking can be as valuable as physical bravery.
At the award ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach emphasized the exceptional nature of Parks’ actions: “It’s a rare day when someone earns a Silver Star, with less than 100 being earned during the Air Force era. After hearing Skate’s story, his leadership, decisive action and skill in the face of danger, I absolutely believe he deserves this honor.” For Parks, the Silver Star carries special meaning because of his family’s deep aviation legacy spanning multiple generations of Air Force service, World War II, and Vietnam. “It is incredible, and this means a lot,” Parks said during the ceremony, which also saw him receive the Bronze Star Medal. “The amount of aviation and everything that we have in our family, that’s what shaped me and helped mold me.” His story represents the continuation of a proud tradition of service and the enduring importance of personal courage in modern warfare, even in an age of advanced technology and precision weapons.
