Capt. Nicholas Lee, a member of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C., has received the Bronze Star medal for his meritorious service during a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. Imbedded as an instructor with the Afghan National Army, Lee commanded 70 mounted patrols, covering nearly 1,500 miles, reported Charleston’s Post and Courier. During the 2009 Afghan presidential elections, he administered and secured polling sites in several contested provinces across the nation. This included leading two air assault missions in the Kohe Safi district of Parwan province that enabled 1,200 Afghans to cast their ballots, who otherwise would not have had the chance. Lee took possession of his medal during a Nov. 22 ceremony. (See also North Charleston Live 5 report)
The F-47 fighter will be run differently than previous fighter programs and share the same mission systems architecture as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. That means advances in one will fuel advances in the other.