During Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan, TSgt John Chapman, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller, charged a frontal gun emplacement, killing several of the enemy, in an effort to rescue a fallen comrade. His actions save the lives of his entire team. Chapman will receive the Air Force Cross posthumously. (See Jan. 10, 2003.) (Also see Sept. 13, 2002, noting award of posthumous Air Force Cross to SrA. Jason D. Cunningham, a pararescue jumper (PJ), for his actions during Anaconda.)
In a nighttime ceremony contrived to continue concealment of many of its features, the new B-21 bomber rolled out of Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif. plant Dec. 2. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the aircraft's advanced technology represents "deterrence, the American way."