Scott Schonauer of Stars and Stripes continues his report on the airmen performing ground combat duties in Iraq, writing that airmen with Det. 3 of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron are “shattering long-held stereotypes” that airmen are “soft.” (An earlier report noted that there would be more airmen serving in-lieu-of soldiers instead of fewer.) Schonauer reports that the Det. 3 airmen are largely volunteers, coming from bases around the world. They are serving for one year, operating from an austere site near Baghdad to help train the Iraqi police force.
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.