Maj. Kirk Adams, an HH-60 pilot with the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., last week received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan in 2009. On April 4, 2009, Adams “suppressed armed enemies” while evacuating a critical casualty near Kajaki, Afghanistan, according to Moody officials. Maj. Gen. Stephen Hoog, 9th Air Force commander, presented the medal to Adams during a ceremony Sept. 7. The Distinguished Flying Cross recognizes a member of the US military who distinguishes himself in combat by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. (Moody report)
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.