Russia presented its Order of Friendship medal to USAF Maj. Patrick Poon and Lt. Cmdr. Steve Smith for their participation in rescuing Russian submariners trapped underwater last August. Poon is commander of Det. 1, 36th Contingency Response Group, Yokota AB, Japan. (Read more here.)
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3