The Air Force Personnel Center yesterday announced the names of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2008. They are: SMSgt. Donna Goodno, San Diego ANGS, Calif.; MSgt. Carla Curry, Randolph AFB, Tex.; MSgt. George Price Jr., Patrick AFB, Fla.; TSgt. James Caughron, McConnell AFB, Kan.; TSgt. Earl Covel Jr., Ft. Lewis, Wash.; TSgt. Jason Hughes, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; TSgt. Tammy Shaw, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; TSgt. James Weltin, Patrick AFB, Fla.; SSgt. Eric Eberhard, Hill AFB, Utah; SrA. Mary Bullock, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; SrA. Alicia Goetschel, RAF Mildenhall, Britain; and SrA. Shawn Ryan, Sheppard AFB, Tex. The Air Force Association will honor them at its Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., in September.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…