The Air Force honored four airmen with the 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. They are: Lt. Col. Gerald J. Ven Dange, Capt. William M. Dains, MSgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez, and SrA. Grailin M. Blamer. The award, which is named for the first Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, recognizes airmen who have exemplified outstanding leadership.
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.