The Air Force awards the Air Force Cross to Staff Sgt. Zachary J. Rhyner, a combat controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., for his heroic actions during a 6.5 battle in Afghanistan’s Shok Valley on April 6, 2008. Rhyner, who was a senior airman at the time of the battle, is the third living Air Force Cross recipient from the Global War on Terrorism and the only living combat controller to receive the Air Force Cross.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
