The Air Force has awarded Bronze Medals to four airmen from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, who served on explosive ordnance disposal teams in Iraq. They are Capt. Stephanie Root, TSgt. David Fitzgerald, SSgt. Michael Pray, and SSgt. Sjon Higgins. Fitzgerald also received Army recognition via a Commendation Medal with Valor for helping to save four military members whose vehicle flipped over into a canal. In total, the four airmen conducted some 740 EOD missions, disarming more than 400 improvised explosive devices, among other actions.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.