The Air Force has awarded a Bronze Star medal to Lt. Col. Daryl Cunningham for his achievements while in command of an expeditionary logistics readiness squadron in Kuwait. His unit executed 250 combat convoys into Iraq, covering one million miles as they suffered small arms and indirect fire and numerous improvised explosive device attacks. Cunningham deployed from Vance AFB, Okla., where he is deputy commander of the 71st Mission Support Squadron. (Report by 2nd Lt. Agneta Murnan.)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.