The Air Force has just released the names of the winners of the 2005 SSgt. Henry E. “Red” Erwin Award, which honors the top enlisted aircrew members in the service. Erwin was a World War II radio operator/gunner who received the Medal of Honor. The latest award winners are: MSgt. Christopher Cooper, Pope AFB, N.C.; TSgt. Erik Thompson, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; and SrA. Lisa Reagan, also at Hurlburt.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.