The Air Force has awarded Bronze Star medals to SMSgt. Keith Almand and SSgt. Paul Kelly, both assigned to the 566th Intelligence Squadron at Buckley AFB, Colo., for their actions while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Almand served as NCOIC of the Joint Expeditionary Signals Intelligence Tactical Reconnaissance Detachment with the Multi-National Corps-Iraq, where, over a six-month tour, he led a team that executed more than 500 combat signals intelligence terminal guidance missions that resulted in detainment of more than 600 suspected insurgents. Kelly deployed as part of Combined Joint Task Force Troy for a year, during which time he completed more than 700 outside-the-wire missions. He helped plan 40 operations, investigating numerous weapons caches and making post-blast analyses, as well as responding to numerous improvised explosive devices and vehicle-born IED reports. (Buckley report)
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
