The Air Force has awarded Bronze Medals to four airmen from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, who served on explosive ordnance disposal teams in Iraq. They are Capt. Stephanie Root, TSgt. David Fitzgerald, SSgt. Michael Pray, and SSgt. Sjon Higgins. Fitzgerald also received Army recognition via a Commendation Medal with Valor for helping to save four military members whose vehicle flipped over into a canal. In total, the four airmen conducted some 740 EOD missions, disarming more than 400 improvised explosive devices, among other actions.
Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, head of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, warned that Russia would remain an enduring threat to NATO and global security, regardless of the outcome of the war in Ukraine.