First Lt. Michael Small received a Bronze Star for leading and helping organize the first Air Force-only Security Forces unit to conduct law and order operations on an Army facility—Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq. Under his watch, the airmen handled more than 10 mortar and rockets attacks, a rape investigation, and provided security support for several VIPs. The Army submitted Small, who is an instructor with the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
