TACP Awarded Silver Star: 
TSgt. Travis Crosby, a terminal attack control-qualified battlefield airman with the 15th Air Support Squadron at Ft. Stewart, Ga., has received a Silver Star for his actions during a hostile engagement in Iraq on April 4, 2003. The Tactical Air Control Party airman managed to return enemy fire—killing more than 20—while simultaneously directing a precision strike by a flight of A-10 Warthogs. Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne presented Crosby with the medal during a ceremony June 26 at Pope AFB, N.C. (Read more about his exploits here.)
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.