NY Army National Guard Soldiers Honored with French National Defense Medal for Bravery in Iraq

Rochester, NY – February 23, 2026 – Six Novel York Army National Guard soldiers were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star on Sunday, February 22, 2026, for their courageous actions during a mission in northern Iraq in August 2023. The soldiers, members of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, based near the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, came to the aid of French Special Forces troops under enemy fire.

The Rescue Mission

On August 28, 2023, while on standby during Operation Inherent Resolve – a joint military effort against ISIS operations in Iraq – the New York Army National Guard received an urgent call for help from French Special Forces stationed roughly 70 miles away at Erbil Air Base. The French troops were engaged by enemy forces and required immediate assistance.

Six soldiers responded, flying aboard CH-47 Chinook helicopters to the area to provide relief. They successfully extracted 64 French soldiers and one who had been killed in action, safely returning them to the Baghdad area, according to Major General Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army.

Honorees

The soldiers recognized for their bravery are:

• Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott of Rochester
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor of Blasdell
• Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg of Rochester
• Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco of Lockport
• Sgt. Jedediah Estrada of Horseheads
• Sgt. Zachary Albright of Elba

The French National Defense Medal

The French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star, created in 1982, recognizes military personnel for “particularly honorable service” during “operational activities.” The award is frequently presented by the French military to allied military personnel.

Statements from Leadership and Honorees

Major General Michel Natali expressed his appreciation for the recognition from France, emphasizing the risks the soldiers undertook during the rescue operation. “They put themselves at great risk during the rescue,” Natali said. “I’m very proud of what they’ve done. The operation that they were engaged in happened in the dark of night.”

Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco noted the mission was similar to others they had undertaken, with the exception of having French forces on board. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor, who has since retired, stated that the team immediately went into “mission mode” focused on completing the task.

Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Inherent Resolve is a long-standing international military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The operation involves a coalition of nations working to defeat ISIS and stabilize the region.