The Air Force has awarded Air National Guardsman Col. Eric W. Vollmecke, commander of the 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, W.Va., a Bronze Star for his command of a mix of active and reserve airmen while deployed to Afghanistan last year.
Multiple MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft have been shot down by Iran during Operation Epic Fury, as the drones have assumed a pivotal role in the air campaign, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.