Criteria for award
Title 10, Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force Cross: Award
The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or Space Force, distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor:[13]
while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Cross_(United_States)
Criteria for award Title 10, Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force Cross: Award
The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or Space Force, distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor:[13]
while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.