The Air Force has awarded Bronze Star medals to two joint terminal attack controllers—SSgt. Trevor Bradford and SSgt. Matthew Muse—from the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron at Ft. Lewis, Wash. Bradford served with an Army cavalry unit in Iraq in 2003
when his unit came under intense enemy fire for more than three days, during which time Bradford returned fire and continuously coordinated air support. In 2006, Muse’s efforts in coordinating close air support and providing real-time intelligence helped keep his teammates safe and enabled the capture of 11 high value individuals.
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.