Maj. Gen. Richard Webber, the first commander of the 24th Air Force, USAF’s cyber arm, relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot during a ceremony at Lackland AFB, Tex. Under Webber’s leadership, 24th AF went from activation to full operational capability in just 14 months. It also became the Air Force’s operational component of US Cyber Command. “Clearly these are historic achievements and it’s a testament to Dick Webber’s leadership skills to harness the talents of this outstanding group of professionals and, by any measure, he has built an incredible team,” said Gen. William Shelton, Air Force Space Command boss, who presided over the April 29 change-of-command ceremony. Webber is retiring, effective July 1, after 36 years of service. Vautrinot most recently served as the special assistant to the Air Force vice chief in Washington, D.C. (Lackland release by TSgt. Scott McNabb)
A half-dozen pilots from one of the Air Force’s premier F-16 units, the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., have been awarded one of the service’s highest decorations for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.