**Recommendations From:** LtCol James S Peterson

**Title:** 7 th Special Operations Squadron Director of Operations , CV

- 22B Evaluator Pilot **Date of Hire:** N/A

– US Air Force **Primary Phone:** +44 7703 472562 (UK) **Alternate Phone:** N/A **Email Address:** yourbudjim@gmail.com **Years Acquainted:** 9 **Flying Comments:** I cannot think of another individual in my 24

- ye ar military

career that I would rather fl y with than Daniel Florence. Daniel and I were crewed together on the CV

- 22 Osprey for several exercises and a deploy

ment to Afghanistan . On one exercise , Daniel was going through his aircraft commander upgrade during a Combat Search and Rescue scenario . His impressive leadership as acting PI C during this event helped our “customers” understand the capabil ities of the Osprey

and often brought survivors home quicker and safer than conventional assets. Daniel le d our formation into mountainous terrain , using night vision goggles and terrain

- following RADAR, in order to execute one of the most challenging res cue s along the edge of a cliff , thereb y extracting live “survivors” from a 100 foot rescue hoist

. Additionally , Daniel and I were crewed together during a 100+ day deplo ym ent to Afghanistan. He was handpicked as a functional check flight (FCF) pilot for 30 of those day s, flying over 10 day time combat FCF missions under the constant threat of small arms fire and RPGs

. Daniel’s heroic efforts enabled over 150 on time missions. For the remaining duration of this deploy ment, we flew nightly into some of the most challenging conditions possible, landing in direct proximity to hostile forces on a regular basis. We flew over 30 direct action assault missions inserting and extracting our Special Operations customers in order to capture over 100 enemy combatants. Daniel’s heroism continued at home. As flight lead copilot on a training mis sion, his wingman crashed during a live fire event . Daniel and his crew quickl y inserted three of their crew members near the crash site . Due to a malfunction in the aircraft, Daniel’s radios were the onl y working radios on board. He coordinated with five agencies over four different radios as the airborne on

- scene commander. Daniel rescued a survivor from a 200 foot hoist over the trees and burning wreckage while fighting aircraft malfunctions of his own . He coordinated with ATC in order to medically evacuate the survivor to the nearest hospital. His resolve under an extremely emotional and stressful event allowed for the immediate extraction of the remain ing survivors via civilian and US Army helicopters. For his actions that day he was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal for “Act of Courage”. Not only is Daniel an exceptional aviator and officer, he is a guy anyone would enjo y being around. He is a natural leader both within thecockpit and in the midst of tough circumstances. If you would like to speak in len gth about

Daniel's qualifications, I am alway s available on my cell or via email. **Work Comments:** Daniel is a valuable asset outside of the coc kpit as well. He possesses the rare work/play balance that allows him to motivate everyone he comes into contact with. During my four ye ars of working with Daniel, I witnessed him succeed at any task he was given. He was vital as our Tactics Officer, incorporating 39 changes and re

- writes into our tactics manuals. Daniel was nominated in 2012 for Hurlburt Field’ s Base Sa fety Award for numerous safety feats to include handling multiple aircraft emergencies over the ye ar. Finall y, Daniel was selected b y our Commander to lead CV

- 22 air plans for US Special Operations Command’s largest exercise integrating 74 aircraft and fo ur Special Operations ground teams over the course of 47 missions. C hoose to hire Daniel, and you will i nherit an amazing, whole

- person aviator.