The Pentagon has announced that TSgt. William H. Jefferson Jr., 34, of Norfolk, Va., died March 22 from wounds received when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan. Jefferson had deployed from Air Force Special Operations Command’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

