Vice President Dick Cheney has made recent stops at two Air Force bases, where he thanked the airmen—active, Guard, and Reserve—and their families for their efforts in the Global War on Terror. At Charleston AFB, S.C., Cheney presented Bronze Stars to three airmen—CMSgt. Ronald Owens, CMSgt. Michael Schmiege, and TSgt. Carl McCoy. At Scott AFB, Ill., the Vice President helped conduct a mass re-enlistment of nine airmen and swear-in of a new recruit. A portion of his remarks were keyed to each base, including saying he was “familiar” with the work of Scott from his days as Secretary of Defense when he “had real power and influence.” (Read Charleston and Scott remarks.)
A recent injection of $475 million has reversed delayed delivery timelines for the Pentagon’s hypersonic missile interceptor by several years, Air Force Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of the Missile Defense Agency, told congressional leaders in an April 15 hearing.