The chapel at Balad AB, Iraq, has named its new Airmen Ministry Center “Troy’s Place,” after F-16 pilot Maj. Troy Gilbert killed in a crash in Iraq last year. The project was the inspiration of chaplain assistant SSgt. Brian Marts and carried through largely by the Company Grade Officers Council at Balad. Volunteers helped create the center in their spare time, reports MSgt. Bryan Ripple.
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.
