The Air Force is staying mum on the process of upgrading an Air Force Cross for one of its special operators to a Medal of Honor to avoid “impeding the independence” of the process, CMSAF James Cody said. A review of the seven Air Force Crosses awarded in the Global War on Terror showed one case had the potential to be upgraded to a Medal of Honor. “We’ve done our part as the Air Force,” Cody said at ASC15 on Wednesday. A congressional sponsor now must take up the upgrade process, and the Air Force wants to avoid overreaching. The potential award will go to a special operator. Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, said his command found one commando possibly worthy of the award. The seven airmen who have been awarded the Air Force Cross are Capt. Barry Crawford, MSgt. Ivan Ruiz, TSgt. John Chapman, SSgt. Robert Gutierrez, SrA. Jason Cunningham, SrA. Zachary Rhyner, and SrA. Dustin Temple.
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.