SrA. Andrew S. Bubacz, 23, of Dalzell, S.C., died Nov. 12 in Nuristan, Afghanistan, the Defense Department has announced. Bubacz succumbed to head injuries sustained while maintaining a communications tower at a forward operating base. Assigned to the 97th Communications Squadron at Altus AFB, Okla., Bubacz was deployed to Afghanistan as a member of a provincial reconstruction team. An Altus spokeswoman told the Daily Report that Bubacz had been selected for promotion to the rank of staff sergeant before his death. “My heartfelt condolences go out to Sergeant Bubacz’s family, as well as to all of his friends and co-workers here at the Mighty 97th,” said Col. Ty Thomas, commander of Altus’ 97th Air Mobility Wing in a base release. He added, “This is a sad day for us. Andrew was a great airman and we will miss him dearly.”
Shield AI has entered the increasingly crowded field of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, this week announcing its “X-BAT” vehicle that stands out from others by having both vertical takeoff and landing capability and supersonic speed.
