Brig. Gen. Michael Callan, vice commander of 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) at Ramstein AB, Germany, in early June made his first official trip to Battle Creek ANGB, Mich., to meet with the Air Guardsmen of the 110th Air Operations Group who support his numbered air force. Callan praised the Air Guardsmen for their contributions. “The number of volunteers we have had for activations from the AOG is simply amazing,” he said. He said he looks forward “to breaking new ground” with them in supporting US Africa Command. The AOG stood up in April 2009. “One of the most impressive things about our partnership is that when AOG members are deployed to Ramstein or in Africa, they are absolutely indistinguishable from the active duty component,” said CMSgt. Michael Grimm, 17th AF command chief, who accompanied Callen. (Battle Creek report by TSgt. Alec Lloyd)
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.