The Air Force has awarded Bronze Stars to three airmen at Whiteman AFB, Mo., for their efforts while deployed to Southwest Asia. Capt. Adam Minnich served as a flight commander for supply chain management, leading development of Afghanistan’s first fuel distribution plan and system, a $3 million effort. TSgt. Richard Barker served as a convoy commander in Iraq, where he led 18 combat convoys, traveling 28,000 miles in “a dangerous and unpredictable environment,” reports SSgt. Rob Hazelett. The third medal went to TSgt. Michael Shumate, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, who led a weapons intelligence team during a six-month rotation to Iraq.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
