SSgt Douglas Kechijian, a pararescueman with the Air National Guard’s 103rd Rescue Squadron at Westhampton Beach, N.Y., is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2015. Kechijian excelled as a pararescue element leader in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. While deployed, he singlehandedly saved 12 critically injured soldiers during two improvised explosive device incidents. He was the element leader on a medevac mission aboard USS James E. Williams, recovering two injured sailors at sea. Kechijian created and took charge of the casualty collection point during a high-risk operation and expertly triaged several patients. He trained 12 US Army infantry soldiers to ensure tactical level interoperability with a dedicated recovery search and rescue security team. Additionally, he completed his doctorate in physical therapy from Columbia University with a 3.6 GPA. Air Force Magazine is shining the spotlight on each OAY in the days leading up to AFA’s Air & Space Conference, which starts Sept. 14 in National Harbor, Md. Also featured were: SrA. Allen Cherry, SrA. Meaghan Holley, SrA. Mason Meherg, SSgt. Kresston Davis, SSgt. Lindsey Fuentes, SSgt. Kurtis Harrison, and SSgt. Travis Jordan.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
