The Air Force has awarded a Bronze Star medal to SMSgt. Randal Williams for his actions on a year-long deployment to Iraq. Williams, who is superintendent of the 437th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight at Charleston AFB, S.C., received his medal in July, according to a Dec. 16 release, after his return from Iraq where he served as superintendent and senior enlisted advisor for the Coalition Training Team, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq. His efforts helped establish the Iraqi Training School, turning primitive working conditions and facilities into a functional training and education facility. (Charleston report by Trisha Gallaway)
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