The Air Force has awarded the Bronze Star medal to Maj. Mark Staal, a psychologist with the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., for his work in Iraq in setting up a classified special mission unit. Part of his work entails providing assessments of terrorist networks and leadership elements and helps with the repatriation of coalition personnel. At Beale AFB, Calif., Capt. David Celeste Jr., with the 9th Security Forces Squadron, received a Bronze Star for his efforts in Iraq as officer in charge of area security operations at Camp Bucca, where he served directly with the Army in an “in lieu of” capacity.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.