The Air Force has awarded a Bronze Star medal to MSgt. Anthony Blackmon, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, for his actions while deployed to Iraq. When he and other EOD team members were ambushed by insurgents, he directed returning fire to quell the attack. Air Combat Command selected Blackmon, who has also deployed to Afghanistan, to represent the command as a “warrior airman” during an orientation for new US Congress members at Langley AFB, Va. Blackmon is EOD flight chief of the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. (Ellsworth report by A1C Abigail Klein)
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…