MSgt. Rigoberto Chacon, superintendent of the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron Programs Flight at Lajes Field, Azores, has received a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during a deployment to Afghanistan. Chacon led survey teams to 40 forward operating bases and combat outposts and bedded down 40,000 combat forces in Regional Commands South and West. He also designed and surveyed three remotely piloted aircraft runways and three helicopter landing zones. He was presented with the medal during an Aug. 6 ceremony. (Lajes release)
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