Retired Col. Vincent Fonke has just been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions as a bomber pilot during World War II. Lt. Gen. Christopher Kelly, Air Mobility Command vice commander, and Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), whose office helped Fonke get the medal, were on hand for the event last week at Pope AFB, N.C., reports journalist David Tijerina. Fonke, who ended his 30-year career at Pope, received the DFC because his B-17 crew was attacked while they were attacking the Siebel aircraft factory in Halle, Germany. His plane’s No. 2 engine got destroyed and the right wing caught on fire after being hit between the No. 3 and No. 4 engines.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
