The Air Force has awarded a Bronze Star with Valor to TSgt. Michael Williams, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 437th Civil Engineer Squadron at Charleston AFB, S.C. The Oct. 16 photo release announcing the award contained no details of his actions while deployed to Afghanistan, where Williams was critically injured by an antipersonnel landmine. (Charleston Aug. 27 release on Williams’ recovery progress.)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

