2020 Sept 17 California National Guard members honored for braving flames to rescue campers

<p>Crews of two Army National Guard helicopters based in California are credited with saving the lives of 242 campers trapped by the Creek Fire.   The seven crew members were honored by President Donald Trump with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the nation's highest honor for heroism in flight.</p> <p> </p> <p>The pilots used night vision goggles to avoid the terrain and trees and fly through the embers and flames</p> <p> </p> <p>Those honored include the crew of the UH-60M Black Hawk; Chief Warrant Officer Five Kipp Goding, Chief Warrant Officer Two Irvin Hernandez and Warrant Officer One Ge Xiong; and the crew of the CH-47 Chinook, Chief Warrant Officer Five Joseph Rosamond, Chief Warrant Officer Two Brady Hlebain, Sgt. George Esquivel and Sgt. Cameron Powell.</p> <p> </p>