Two Fairchild AFB, Wash., airmen, both explosive ordnance disposal technicians, have received medals for heroism while deployed to Iraq. TSgt. Jesus Hernandez received a Bronze Star and SrA. Amos Smith an Army Commendation Medal with “V” device. Hernandez led 93 missions to dismantle improvised explosive devices, often while under direct attack. Smith, also at Sather, helped save military personnel involved in a Humvee rollover into a water filled canal.
The U.S. sent Air Force F-16s over central Syria in a show of force following the Dec. 13 killing of two U.S. Army Soldiers and one American civilian interpreter by a gunman linked to the Islamic State group.
