For his actions as senior life support advisor and lead combat patrol gunner, TSgt. Natividad Ruiz Jr. received a Bronze Star Medal. Ruiz deployed to Iraq from Laughlin AFB, Tex., serving at an Iraqi Training Base in Diyala Province with the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team. Capt. Ken Hall reports that the training Ruiz provided led to the Iraqi assumption of life support operations six months earlier than anticipated. He led combat patrols over more than 1,000 miles of hostile terrain, protecting explosive ordnance disposal technicians and dismounted combat patrols.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
