Three airmen from the 28th Security Forces Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, S.D., have received medals for heroism during deployment to Iraq in 2005. SMSgt. Gregory Williams and MSgt. Kelly Mixson each earned the Bronze Star with valor and SrA. Pamela Bolton earned the Air Force Commendation Medal with valor for their actions during deployment to Balad Air Base. During a June 15, 2005, attack on Balad, Williams ran through a 10-round mortar barrage to help injured troops, giving first aid until medical assistance arrived. Mixson braved small arms fire and burning ammunition after a July 8 IED attack on a patrol to move wounded team members to safety. On the same mission, Bolton also rushed through small arms fire to help a wounded comrade and helped to coordinate an airborne medical evacuation.
In the final few hours before the Senate adjourned for its Memorial Day recess on May 26, lawmakers approved a raft of some 3,400 pending military nominations, including a number of high-profile Air Force and Space Force generals to assignments that will significantly reshape some of the upper echelons of…