Hell yeah man you deserve those words on your DD214.
Provided, now the air force can get a CAR for flying over a combat zone...
When I was deployed, we had to take fire and return fire to get written up for the CAR (and everyone got it except for some FOB and BAS individuals)
It's not that it makes your service for your country more significant or heartfelt than someone who didn't see combat: it's just a nod that you probably sacrificed a lot more.