SSgt. Michael Stewart recently received a Purple Heart for an injury sustained while on a convoy mission in Iraq, but there is more to this story. When an improvised explosive device exploded, injuring several convoy members, Stewart helped stabilize his wheelman, A1C Joshua Collins, before a medevac team arrived. Stewart’s injury was slight, so he stayed to help get the convoy moving again. Air Force CMSgt. Tony Killion, the 70th Medium Truck Detachment chief, told the Rock Slate that Stewart “represents what these transporters are all about. … They love doing this and can’t wait to get back out there.” (Read the Rock Slate article here.)
The Space Force plans to expand the scope of its data transport constellation in the next few years, kick-starting a competition to bring on new commercial capabilities and procuring nine launches in fiscal 2027 to support the hybrid satellite communications network.