The Air Force has awarded Bronze Star medals to five airmen at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, for their meritorious service while deployed to Southwest Asia. Maj. Matthew Boschert with the 366th Security Forces Squadron, served as provost marshal for the Army’s 148th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, overseeing law enforcement for some 15,000 troops. SMSgt. David Ayers, MSgt. Michael Bernard, TSgt. Brandon Bayne, and SSgt. Andrew Adrian, all explosive ordnance disposal specialists with the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron, served at Sather AB, Iraq. (Mountain Home report by A1C Samantha Crane)
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.