The Army just honored five airmen of the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, with the Army’s Combat Action Badge, reports Stars and Stripes. During a ceremony on Wednesday, Army Col. Michael MacNeil, who commanded the brigade-sized group of soldiers and “in lieu of” airmen in Iraq, recognized the airmen who came under fire while escorting a military convoy. The airmen are: TSgt. Daniell Stanton, SSgt. Terryl Dooley, SSgt. Terra O’Rourke, SrA. Justin Monn, and A1C Benjamin Finch.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.