The US Air Force Academy Association of Graduates has selected retired Gen. Hansford T. Johnson (Class of 1959) and retired Gen. Michael E. Ryan (Class of 1965) for its 2006 Distinguished Graduate awards. Johnson, who was the first USAFA graduate to achieve four-star level, last served as commander of US Transportation Command and Military Airlift Command (now Air Mobility Command). Ryan was the second academy graduate to become the Air Force Chief of Staff—the first was his father Gen. John D. Ryan.
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.