The Air Force has awarded Bronze Star medals to five airmen at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, for their meritorious service while deployed to Southwest Asia. Maj. Matthew Boschert with the 366th Security Forces Squadron, served as provost marshal for the Army’s 148th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq, overseeing law enforcement for some 15,000 troops. SMSgt. David Ayers, MSgt. Michael Bernard, TSgt. Brandon Bayne, and SSgt. Andrew Adrian, all explosive ordnance disposal specialists with the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron, served at Sather AB, Iraq. (Mountain Home report by A1C Samantha Crane)
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.