An excerpt from his Air Force Cross Citation:
...while assigned as Special Tactics Combat Controller, Airman Rhyner infiltrated with his Special Forces team to capture high-value insurgents. While climbing near vertical terrain to reach their objective, the team was attacked in a deadly ambush. Without regard for his life, Airman Rhyner placed himself between the most immediate threats and provided suppressive fire with his M-4 rifle while his teammates were extracted from the line of fire. Airman Rhyner withstood the hail of enemy fire to control fighters and attack helicopters. Despite a gunshot wound to the left leg and being trapped on a 60-foot cliff under constant enemy fire, Airman Rhyner controlled more than 50 attack runs and repeatedly repelled the enemy with repeated danger close air strikes. Twice, his actions prevented his element from being overrun during the intense six-and-a-half-hour battle.