MSgt. Michael Russell, with 4th Security Forces Squadron, Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C., recently received a Bronze Star for actions while he served in Southwest Asia in 2004. During a three-hour long attack on Balad AB, Iraq, when a mortar struck a tent, Russell entered the smoke-filled tent and led three troops to safety. He returned to give artificial respiration to another in the tent until medical help arrived. In a second action, Russell detained a suspicious individual and, as shots were fired at the man by villagers, dropped to the ground covering the man, who turned out to be a high-level target wanted for interrogation by coalition authorities. The Seymour-Johnson Wright Times quoted Russell’s former commander, Capt. Pedro Rosario, who said that Russell has “great character” and is a “great combat leader.” Rosario added, “He’s the real deal.”
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.