TSgt. Luis Garcia, a pararescueman assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, Tex., received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. On July 12, 2010, Garcia saved the lives of three US soldiers injured by improved explosive devices by helping to evacuate them during operations against enemy forces in Arghandab province, Afghanistan. “Those of us who look at his deed, appreciated what he did because we could face the same thing. He’s not only a hero for all of us, but he’s also a mentor . . . and for that, all of us owe him a tremendous thanks,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Zadalis, Air Education and Training Command’s director of intelligence, operations, and nuclear integration, who presented Garcia with the medal during the Dec. 2 ceremony at Lackland, a part of Joint Base San Antonio. Garcia said, “I don’t look at [my deed] as heroic or anything like that. I just think of it as this guy needs to get out and I’m the only one that can do that for him at this time—me and my team.” (Randolph report by SSgt. Clinton Atkins)
The Air Force is moving forward with a new, algorithm-driven system to help U.S. Northern Command better detect airborne threats. NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which are tasked with protecting the homeland from attack, depend on a slew of radars and other data systems to monitor U.S.…