Six rescue airmen from Moody AFB, Ga., last month received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for their extraordinary achievements during missions in Afghanistan. Gen. William Fraser, head of Air Combat Command, presented the medal to Maj. Charles McMullen, Capt. Nathan Dennen, Capt. Daran Gaus, Capt. Evan Roth, MSgt. Jerrod Morse, and SrA. Brett Taylor. All serve with the 41st Rescue Squadron, an HH-60G Pave Hawk unit. Gaus, Roth, and Morse were recognized for their role in rescuing two wounded British soldiers, one of whom was badly injured, in the face of intense enemy gunfire. McMullen, Dennen, and Taylor were honored for their actions in a separate mission. During the May 20 award ceremony at Moody, Fraser said he was “honored to serve” with these airmen. (Moody report by SSgt. Melissa Mekpongsatorn)
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
