Flores, Michael Paul

Technical Sergeant Michael Paul Flores was a pararescueman, or PJ, from San Antonio, Texas. He was assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron, based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Pararescuemen are Air Force Special Operations personnel trained for combat search and rescue and medical evacuation in high-threat environments.

On June 9, 2010, Flores was killed by small arms fire during an insurgent attack on Forward Operating Base Jackson in the Tagab District of Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. According to U.S. military reports, the base came under direct fire from multiple positions. Flores was the only U.S. service member killed in the engagement.

Flores died during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. His death occurred during a period of increased U.S. troop presence, known as the surge, which aimed to reverse Taliban momentum and strengthen Afghan government control, particularly in volatile eastern provinces like Kapisa.

Following his death, Flores was posthumously promoted from Staff Sergeant to Technical Sergeant. He was survived by his wife and two children. A memorial service was held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where he was remembered by his squadron.

Technical Sergeant Flores's name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at the Air Force Rescue Memorial at Davis-Monthan. As a pararescueman, his role embodied the service's core rescue motto: 'That Others May Live.'

Technical Sergeant Flores was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.

Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.

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