Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the military awards and decoration process, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said. “Now that we’re getting towards the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan, [Hagel] wants to take a more holistic view of the awards process and the decoration process,” Kirby said. The review is slated for completion by “the end of the year or early 2015,” said Kirby. While all services are expected to participate, the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will lead the effort, according to a Jan. 29 release.
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…