
By SDCN Editor
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA–A Marine pilot was recognized for his life-saving actions during an emergency landing in 2020, base officials said.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Capt. Michael Wolff, a KC-130J Super Hercules pilot with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, received the Distinguished Flying Cross from Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, 3rd MAW commanding general, for his life-saving actions during an emergency landing in 2020.
The Distinguished Flying Cross is the highest award in flying, the fourth-highest award for bravery, and the award for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Wolff is receiving the award for landing a KC-130J Super Hercules successfully after losing two engines in flight. With the help of his 6 Marine crew and co-pilot Capt. Wolff landed safely in a farmer’s field in California.
“I’m thankful how everything turned out. I’m happy to be alive” said Wolff, “I still love flying, and I was happy to get up in the air as soon as I could afterwards” Wolff also stated that “everyone did their part and came together”.
The 3rd MAW continues to “Fix, Fly and Fight” as the Marine Corps’ largest aircraft wing, and remains combat-ready, deployable on short notice, and lethal when called into action.