The Air Force has awarded the Bronze Star Medal to TSgt. Andrew LeBeau, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with Air Force Reserve Command’s 944th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., for his actions while deployed to Afghanistan. He was an EOD team leader from May 9, 2009, to Nov. 3, 2009. His team’s work with US Special Operations Forces directly led to the capture or kill of key improvised explosive device facilitators and Taliban subcommanders. He also removed an unexploded rocket from the entrance to an Afghanistan girls’ school, following a Taliban attack. (Luke report by TSgt. Susan Stout)
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…