Six Air Force Reserve
Command airmen on Monday received Distinguished Service Crosses for their actions in landing their C-130 airlifter safely after it was struck by enemy ground fire in Iraq on Oct. 26, 2004. The aircrew from the 440th Airlift Wing, Milwaukee, Wisc., saved their aircraft, themselves, and 57 soldiers on board. The enemy fire burst the No. 1 engine into flames and caused the aircraft lost fuel, oil, electrical power, and structural components. The fire spread, engulfing the wing. The Reservists, who also earned the AFA Outstanding Reserve Aircrew Award, are: Lt. Col. John Loranger, Maj. Rolf Breen, Capt. Jason Schroeder, MSgt. James Grigsby, TSgt. Robert Sczesny, and SSgt. Daniel Hayes.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.