The Air Force awards the Air Force Cross posthumously to TSgt. John Chapman. During Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, TSgt John Chapman, a combat controller, charged a frontal gun emplacement, killing several of the enemy, in an effort to rescue a fallen comrade. Ultimately, his actions on March 4, 2002, saved the lives of his entire special operations team.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

