Maj. Darren Brumfield, currently assigned to Dyess AFB, Tex., and MSgt. William Rapoza of Lackland AFB, Tex., have each received a Bronze Star medal for their meritorious service during deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. Brumfield, who commands Dyess’ 7th Component Maintenance Squadron, got his medal for his work in standing up the first Afghan Air Wing in Kandahar. He also oversaw the safe transport of 215,600 pounds of cargo and more than 1,800 Afghans. Rapoza, medical readiness noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Lackland’s 59th Medical Support Squadron, served as lead medic of a security forces squadron in Baghdad during the first half of 2010. The medal recognizes his medical support of operations outside the wire. Brumfield’s award ceremony took place on Sept. 28; Rapoza’s was on Oct. 14. (Dyess photo caption by A1C Chelsea Cummings) (Lackland photo caption by SSgt. Robert Barnett)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
