Painting illustrates the Flight that received the Maj Gen E. Marchbanks, Jr Memorial Award. On the night of April 2, 2002 inside Iraq, an MC-130E Combat Talon I was conducting air refueling operations of 4 helicopters, the crew visually detected a hostile missile launch at the formation. Two of the helicopters also detected the missile and immediately dispensed flares. The crew of the MC-130E, under extreme weather conditions and situation, were able to complete their refueling assignment without any loss of aircraft.