SMSgt. Paul Houser, a KC-135 instructor boom operator assigned to Air Force Reserve Command’s 434th Operations Support Squadron at Grissom ARB, Ind., has surpassed 10,000 flight hours for his career, a rare feat for an airman. He reached this milestone last month during a mission refueling a B-52 bomber from Barksdale, La. Houser joined the Air Force in 1976 and switched to boom operations in 1980 after coming to Grissom. After five more years on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve. Houser said he’s extremely grateful for his family’s unending support. He’s also very appreciative of his fellow airmen at Grissom. “Really all the people in this unit are the best; I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.” His desire to make an impact has kept him flying all these years. (Grissom report by TSgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner)
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.