The man responsible for overseeing the shutdown of operations at Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan—CMSgt. Phillip Cherry—has received a Bronze Star for his efforts at K-2 and subsequent work at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. The senior NCO received his award earlier this month before leaving Manas, where he served as command chief for the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. Cherry now is assigned as command chief at Tinker AFB, Okla.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

