The Air Force has presented Air Medals to Capt. Brian Crum and Capt. Julie Moore, both F-16CJ pilots with the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB, S.C. The two had just taken off for an Operation Noble Eagle mission last year, when the tower told Crum his Viper was on fire. His wingman Moore confirmed the news. They coordinated a plan that put Crum at a safe ejection altitude, while Moore scanned the surrounding area for an uninhabited place over which Crum could jettison his external fuel tanks. Meanwhile, airfield operations opened a runway closed for repairs because the takeoff runway had burning debris from Crum’s takeoff. Moore followed Crum to ensure he was OK to land. Crum landed and safely exited the still burning fighter.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
