The Air Force has selected the service’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2006: SMSgt. Michael Lemke, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; SMSgt. Henry Parker III, Lajes AB, Azores; MSgt. Renee Williams, Robins AFB, Ga.; TSgt. Bradley Reilly, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; TSgt. Billy Tramel Jr., Hill AFB, Utah; SSgt. Timothy Bishop, Andrews AFB, Md.; SSgt. Daniel Dierickx, Klamath Falls, Ore.; SSgt. Jeffrey Hansen, Holloman AFB, N.M.; SSgt. David Plachno, Andrews AFB, Md.; SrA. Polly-Jan Bobseine, Moody AFB, Ga.; SrA. Eric Pena, Travis AFB, Calif.; and SrA. Elizabeth Sewell, Vance AFB, Okla.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.