With that award, Hester is the first woman in the Air Force to receive the Silver Star and the 10th woman in the Department of Defense’s history. Together, the Air Force said Coffey and Hester’s squadron shot down 70 drones and three ballistic missiles.

The Air Force's first female airman received the Silver Star for her role in shooting down dozens of Iranian drones headed to Israel.

The Air Force has awarded the Silver Star to a female airman for her role in shooting down more than 80 Iranian drones during Iran's missile and drone attack on Israel in mid-April.

Air Force Lt. Col. Timothy “Diesel” Causey was one of six service members to receive a Distinguished Flying Cross with valor on Nov. 12, 2024, for his actions to defend Israel against an Iranian air attack on April 13-14. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)