The Air Force has named two airmen at Georgia installations as tops in their fields for the year. At Moody Air Force Base, 1st Lt. Kirk Henry has been named the service’s top combat rescue officer. At Robins Air Force Base, MSgt. Shawn Ricchuito is the Air Force’s top fire officer. Henry, with the 38th Rescue Squadron, and the team he led while deployed to Afghanistan recorded 27 saves, 27 recoveries, and 11 assists. Among many plaudits heaped on Ricchuito, Robins Fire Chief Donald Striejewske credits the top fire officer with overhauling the base fire-training program and helping Robins earn the best fire and emergency services unit award in Air Force Materiel Command.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.