Two Fairchild AFB, Wash., airmen, both explosive ordnance disposal technicians, have received medals for heroism while deployed to Iraq. TSgt. Jesus Hernandez received a Bronze Star and SrA. Amos Smith an Army Commendation Medal with “V” device. Hernandez led 93 missions to dismantle improvised explosive devices, often while under direct attack. Smith, also at Sather, helped save military personnel involved in a Humvee rollover into a water filled canal.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.