Construction is under way on a new work area at Schriever AFB, Colo., for the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, announced 50th Space Wing officials. As part of this construction, the base will bed down two foreign liaison officers, one from Germany and one from the Netherlands, to coordinate missile defense decisions with US allies, according to the wing’s July 17 release. Their presence—they’re expected to arrive this fall—will help improve the continuous communications necessary with the allies, especially in scenarios when missile defense are called upon, states the release. The JFCC for IMD, established under US Strategic Command in 2005, has heretofore been housed at Schriever in Missile Defense Agency facilities. The foreign liaison officer program is expected to grow over time at Schriever, according to the 50th SW officials. (Schriever report by 2nd Lt. Jason Gabrick)
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.