The Pentagon released the names of two Air Force Office of Special Investigations special agents killed in Iraq June 5—TSgt. Ryan A. Balmer, 33, and SSgt. Matthew J. Kuglics, 25. The two were traveling in a convoy struck by an improvised explosive device near Kirkuk. An Air Force release stated that Balmer of Mishawaka, Ind., deployed to Iraq from Hill AFB, Utah, and Kuglics of North Canton, Ohio, deployed from Lackland AFB, Tex. Balmer is the fourth airman from Hill to die in Iraq this year.
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.