Russia presented its Order of Friendship medal to USAF Maj. Patrick Poon and Lt. Cmdr. Steve Smith for their participation in rescuing Russian submariners trapped underwater last August. Poon is commander of Det. 1, 36th Contingency Response Group, Yokota AB, Japan. (Read more here.)
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.