Four A-10 pilots deployed to Bagram AB, Afghanistan for six months each just reached 100 combat sorties, and one of them is a sailor, reports Capt. Michael Meridith. Three Air Force Warthog pilots, Maj. James Barlow, Capt. Daniel Cruz, and Capt. Ryan Cleveland, and Navy exchange pilot Lt. Cmdr. Scott Craig, see their shared accomplishment as a representation of lives saved, being able to assist coalition ground forces. Barlow recalled his 100th mission, when he received a call from ground forces under attack and outnumber two to one. He said the enemy fled as the Hog came in.
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.