Maj. Connie O.Y. Wong, SMSgt. Kenneth Trawick, and SrA. Lyn C. Yin were among 11 servicemembers who last week received meritorious service awards from the Federal Asian-Pacific American Council. Wong, a member of the California Air National Guard, fostered democratic values within the Ukraine and Nigeria. Trawick received his award for a major role in helping to eliminate discrimination while he was assigned to Kadena AB, Japan. Yin, an Air Force Reservist at McChord AFB, Wash., was selected to represent the armed forces during a League of United Latin American Citizens national conference.
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