Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks Awarded Silver Star
Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks, who led an Air Force F-16 on a perilous mission into one of the Middle East’s most fortified air defense zones, has received the Silver Star, a prestigious award recognizing bravery in combat. While evading enemy missiles for a daunting 15 minutes and running critically low on fuel, Parks managed to accomplish significant damage to an enemy ballistic missile facility.
The award ceremony took place at the Department of Defense on November 26. Official statements indicate that Parks’ actions during the challenging operation in early 2025 not only protected the lives of his fellow pilots but also prevented the potential loss of two U.S. aircraft.
At that time, Parks commanded the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and was tasked with overseeing a coordinated assault involving 21 aircraft on March 27. In addition, he led four F-16s dedicated to Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD), aiming to draw enemy fire and clear the path for the rest of the squadron.
The Air Force acknowledged Parks for willingly placing himself in a dangerous area around the enemy’s capital, a decision that was crucial for destroying the threat posed by ballistic missile production.
During the mission, enemy forces launched a series of “precisely targeted” missiles and anti-aircraft fire at Parks’ F-16, which he navigated through with remarkable deftness, employing evasive maneuvers as missiles exploded perilously close to the aircraft.
Even after the immediate barrage ended, Parks remained deep in enemy territory and dangerously low on fuel. He orchestrated an emergency meeting with two aerial tankers to prolong their flight, a decision that likely safeguarded both jets, as noted by military officials.
Parks’ actions were cited as directly contributing to the survival of both himself and his wingman. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach presented the Silver Star, highlighting how rare such an honor is, having observed fewer than 100 Silver Stars awarded during his tenure in the Air Force. After hearing about Parks’ experience and character under pressure, Wilsbach felt confident in the decision to honor him.
Before Parks’ ceremony, only 96 Silver Stars had been awarded to Air Force personnel. That day, Parks also received a Bronze Star Medal.
The mission was part of an eight-month deployment where Parks and the 480th EFS participated in various operations aimed at countering threats from Iranian-backed extremists and other hostile forces. Remarkably, during this deployment, the squadron achieved 108 air victories, setting a contemporary record for the Air Force.
Parks is noted for his innovative use of the AGR-20F rocket in air-to-air combat, a tactical shift that saved significant costs and resulted in a long-overdue achievement—a successful air-to-air shootdown with the AIM-9M missile.
During the ceremony, Parks expressed the emotional highs and lows he experienced during the mission, recalling how the feeling of isolation in enemy territory transformed into a wave of relief upon hearing friendly communication.
This recognition carries great significance for Parks, given his family’s rich aviation background, which includes service through multiple conflicts spanning generations. Parks stated, “It’s unbelievable. This means a lot,” citing his family’s influence on his aviation career as profoundly meaningful.
