The Air Force has awarded Bronze Medals to four airmen from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, who served on explosive ordnance disposal teams in Iraq. They are Capt. Stephanie Root, TSgt. David Fitzgerald, SSgt. Michael Pray, and SSgt. Sjon Higgins. Fitzgerald also received Army recognition via a Commendation Medal with Valor for helping to save four military members whose vehicle flipped over into a canal. In total, the four airmen conducted some 740 EOD missions, disarming more than 400 improvised explosive devices, among other actions.
Gen. Timothy Ray, head of Global Strike Command, toured the bomber test enterprise in early May, getting a firsthand look at progress in building the B-21 bomber a year from its expected first flight. The program has recently received high marks from service leaders and members of Congress.