Some 900
soldiers of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division working out of the New Orleans airport now have the cool comfort of an Air Force tent city, courtesy of the 4th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. One soldier said it will be the first time in 22 years of service, he has slept in a tent with air conditioning. Many of the soldiers banded together with the airmen to get the tents set up. Said one soldier, “I’ve never really hung out with Air Force people before.” Welcome to the Blue.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.

