The Air Force has awarded Bronze Stars to TSgt. Edward Moats and SSgt. Randy Saltzmann, both explosive ordnance disposal specialists assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. They earned the medals for their work while deployed to Southwest Asia. Moats handled more than 60 emergency response missions and oversaw the destruction of significant arms, from small ammunition to improvised explosive devices. Saltzmann received his award for action during an enemy engagement, during which he cleared the area of explosives to re-open a convoy route.
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