The USO presented its Distinguished Service Award to the five living Air Force Medal of Honor recipients Dec. 9 during the Metropolitan New York USO’s 48th Annual Armed Forces Gala and Gold Medal Dinner in New York City. On hand for the award were Col. Bernard Fisher, Col. James Fleming, Col. Joe Jackson, and Col. Leo Thorsness. Also receiving the USO award, but not on hand, was Col. Bud Day. The USO award recognizes exemplary leadership and service to the armed forces. Also at the gala, Capt. Justin Conelli, with Air Force Special Operations Command’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C., was named USO Airman of the Year. (Air Force release) (From Air Force Magazine’s archive, read Valor articles on Day, Fisher, Fleming, Jackson, and Thorsness.)
Senators Want to Build Back MQ-9 Fleet by 2028
June 12, 2026
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said the MQ-9 proved to be the “most valuable player” of Operation Epic Fury—so valuable, in fact, that a key congressional panel wants to require the Air Force to grow its fleet of Reaper drones in the next few years.