Retired Maj. Gen. LaRita Aragon, the first woman to achieve one-star rank and serve as a commander in the Oklahoma Air National Guard was inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame last week, reports The Norman Transcript. Commented Aragon, “I’m a country girl; I came from Dale, Okla., so this is a big deal.” Aragon received her second star in 2005 and served last as Air Guard assistant to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel at the Pentagon, according to her Air Force biography. She is now director of Advanced Programs at University of Oklahoma Outreach.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.