Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., is the Air Force’s top installation, recognized as the service’s winner of the 2012 Commander-In-Chief’s Installation Excellence Award. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta made the announcement on Monday. “I’m extremely proud of the 355th Fighter Wing and the entire Desert Lightning Team for earning this great honor,” said Col. John Cherrey, commander of the base’s 355th Fighter Wing, in a release. He added, “This award is a resounding confirmation of our ongoing commitment to the care and development of airmen and their families as a top priority at D-M.” The award includes a $1 million prize that D-M officials will use for quality-of-life improvements. Barksdale AFB, La., was the Air Force’s runner-up and will receive $500,000. The annual award recognizes one installation from each service, plus one logistics center. Spangdahlem AB, Germany, was last year’s winner. (Washington, D.C., report by TSgt. Jess Harvey)
The Senate Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces heard testimony from the Defense Department’s top missile defense leaders and demanded to know why the Missile Defense Agency's proposed $9.6 billion fiscal 2023 budget will not yield more reliable defense against hypersonic weapons already being fielded by adversaries, including Russia on…