The Air Force has awarded Bronze Star medals to four airmen of the 819th RED HORSE at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., for their actions while deployed to Southwest Asia. Capt. Glenn Cameron, who commanded a 32-person team from seven units that provided drivers, gunners, and operators of heavy equipment throughout the area, led his team through five improvised explosive attacks and five small arms fire attacks. Capt. Josh Aldred managed six large construction projects simultaneously and helped train Iraqis in construction disciplines. CMSgt. Gary Stuckenschmidt served as the chief enlisted manager for some 560 personnel from 62 units spread over 14 locations in Iraq and Afghanistan, developing a plan to crossflow personnel from one country to another as construction needs shifted. MSgt. Todd Pederson (then technical sergeant) served as combat logistics patrol NCOIC and assistant convoy commander, directing convoy operations through small arms fire attacks. (Malmstrom report by SrA. Eydie Sakura)
A U.S. Air Force F-22 shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, a week after it first entered U.S. airspace near Alaska. Officials said they took measures to prevent the balloon from gathering sensitive military information and are actively working to recover…