Author mharwood
Twelve airmen from the 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, joined the prestigious ranks of Mackay Trophy winners at an awards ceremony this month. The Rooster 73 crew members were recognized for a 2013 rescue mission over wartorn South Sudan where they came under heavy enemy fire. They performed expert aerial maneuvers while simultaneously providing medical care to four critically injured Special Forces passengers on board one of their three CV-22 Ospreys. The mission resulted in the safe evacuation of American citizens from the remote South Sudanese city of Bor. You can read more about the mission in an August Air Force Times story. The airmen — Majors Taylor…
Every year the nation pauses on the third Friday of September to remember the sacrifices and service of prisoners of war, members still missing in action and their families. This year, National Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day falls on Sept. 19. Nearly 1,500 airmen are still missing and unaccounted for from various conflicts. There are more than 83,000 Americans still unaccounted for across the Defense Department, according to the Air Force Personnel Center. The remains of one missing airmen — Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William Bernier, missing since his B-24D Liberator was shot down over the Madang…
The mission: Air-drop critical supplies of food and water to Iraqi citizens displaced from their homes by Islamic State militants. Aircrews from the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron fulfilled that mission — and then some, according to a report from Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel, Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs. Master Sgt. Stephen Brown, for one, taped a package of Skittles to a bundle of Halal Meals Ready to Eat, which was delivered in an August airdrop to displaced Iraqis in the vicinity of Sinjar Mountain. “Although my favorite candy that doesn’t melt in this desert heat is Starburst, I…
