The enlisted force of US Air Forces in Europe inducted Gen. Tom Hobbins into the Order of the Sword on Nov. 18. SMSgt. Kelly Mazezka reports that CMSgt. Gary Coleman, USAF command chief, said Hobbins “has been a devoted advocate of the enlisted force in his command,” including spurring creation of the “first of its kind Enlisted Heritage Room honoring the blood, sweat, and tears of the enlisted airmen spanning this command’s great history.” Hobbins remarked, “We’ve been and continue to be airmen of substance. … Just knowing I could count on the excellence of [my airmen’s] work meant more to me than anything.”
The Air Force F-35As that participated in Operation Midnight Hammer—the June 22 strike against Iranian uranium enrichment and nuclear research facilities—conducted both suppression of enemy air defenses, also called SEAD, and provided fighter cover for the strike force as it departed Iran, the service acknowledged Nov. 24.
