U.S. flag flown over Afghanistan dedicated to Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
A special U.S. flag, in honor of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, was presented to the tribal council in Fort Hall, Idaho, on November 2, 2020. The flag was flown through the skies over Afghanistan one night during the Idaho Air National Guard’s recent Southwest Asia deployment. Photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur / U.S. National Guard
U.S. flag flown over Afghanistan dedicated to Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
Monday, November 30, 2020
By Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur
124th Fighter Wing, U.S. National Guard
DOD DVIDS
dvidshub.net

A U.S. flag, in honor of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, was presented on November 2 to the tribe council. This special flag was flown through the skies over Afghanistan one night during the Idaho Air National Guard’s recent Southwest Asia deployment.

The “Warrior Spirit,” an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft dedicated to the tribes several years ago by the IDANG, participated in several night missions throughout the deployment.

Capt. Mike Shufeldt, 124th Fighter Wing pilot, remembers the night of June 18, 2020 vividly. He was flying the Warrior Spirit and situated next to him, near his lap, was the special U.S. flag honoring the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

U.S. flag flown over Afghanistan dedicated to Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
A special U.S. flag, in honor of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, was presented to the tribal council in Fort Hall, Idaho, on November 2, 2020. This special flag was flown through the skies over Afghanistan one night during the Idaho Air National Guard’s recent Southwest Asia deployment. Photo by Master Sgt. Becky Vanshur / U.S. National Guard )

He recalls taking off as the sun was setting, climbing above the mountain peaks off to his west. He saw a flash of light on the ground near a known allied checkpoint location. He immediately realized the checkpoint was under attack by what appeared to be grenades and gunfire.

He spent the next three hours defending the checkpoint from the air in the Warrior Spirit against the enemy ground forces. Although he received fire several times throughout the altercation, the enemy was unsuccessful in hitting the aircraft.

“The Warrior Spirit kept me safe and granted me the ability to protect the friendlies,” said Shufeldt. “Be it luck or fate, the Warrior Spirit and I were at the right place at the right time that night to save lives and affect the fight.”

While presenting the flag, Shufeldt told the Shoshone-Bannock Council about that special night in the Warrior Spirit.

“On behalf of myself and the Idaho National Guard, please accept this flag that I flew on that mission that night, in recognition of the Warrior Spirit and the mission it continues to help us accomplish,” said Shufeldt.

During the 124th Fighter Wing’s deployment to Southwest Asia, several U.S. flags were flown in honor of each tribe and will also be dedicated and presented.

DVIDS (Defense Video Imagery Distribution System) is a state-of-the-art, 24/7 operation that provides a timely, accurate and reliable connection between the media around the world and the military serving worldwide. This article is in the public domain.
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