Airman Dies In Iraq: An airman was killed today (April 9) supporting combat operations near Forward Operating Base Poliwoda in Iraq, the Air Force announced. The name of the airman, who was deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad AB, Iraq, is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification. This is the second airman to die in Iraq this month. On April 3, SSgt. Travis L. Griffin, 28, of Dover, Del., died in Baghdad when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during a patrol. He was assigned to the Multinational Force Division-Baghdad from the 377th Security Forces Squadron, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
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.