SSgt. Joshua L. Hanna, an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman with the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron at Andersen AFB, Guam, is one of the Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2013. On his most recent deployment to Afghanistan, Hanna executed 151 joint combat missions and received the Air Force Combat Action Medal. He trained 347 coalition troops on improvised explosive device search techniques and mentored 10 Afghan IED technicians, preparing for the coalition drawdown. He cleared a 15-square-mile area of IEDs and supported 23 Army dismount operations, working with quick reaction forces during enemy contact. He helped sanitize a remotely piloted vehicle crash site. He mitigated an imminent explosive threat, removing munitions from a burning facility after an attack. He also certified personnel on range-clearance equipment and led robotic operations during 65 IED responses. Hanna’s home of record is Bellwood, Pa. The Daily Report is shining the spotlight on each OAY in the days up to AFA’s Air & Space Conference that starts on Sept. 16 in National Harbor, Md. AFA will honor these airmen there. Also featured to date: SSgt. Joseph C. Senteno, SrA. Casey L. Anderson, and SrA. Steven C. Hedgepeth.
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.