The man responsible for overseeing the shutdown of operations at Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan—CMSgt. Phillip Cherry—has received a Bronze Star for his efforts at K-2 and subsequent work at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. The senior NCO received his award earlier this month before leaving Manas, where he served as command chief for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. Cherry now is assigned as command chief at Tinker AFB, Okla.
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.
