Walter Palmer, a member of the famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen, died March 28 at his home in Indiana, reports the Indianapolis Star. The 87-year-old Palmer flew 158 missions over Italy and Germany in a P-51 as part of the 99th Fighter Group. Palmer, whose military career ended with an eye injury from an automobile accident, was among the Tuskegee Airmen who traveled to Washington in 2007 for presentation of a collective Congressional Gold Medal.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.