TSgt. Cole Shebat and TSgt. Patrick (last name withheld at airman’s request), joint terminal air controllers with the New York Air National Guard’s 274th Air Support Operations Squadron at Hancock Field in Syracuse, have received Bronze Star medals. Each received the medal for meritorious service while deployed to separate locations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. “I feel honored to receive the award, but there are others who are just as deserving,” said Shebat. Patrick added, “It’s strange to be commended just for doing your job. We do it because we like our job.” (Hancock report by 1st Lt. Greta Lewis)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.