Maj. Pat Houtman, a Delaware Air National Guard C-130 pilot, has received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during a November 2004 supply mission over Afghanistan. The transport had a heavy load and 10 passengers when it came under fire. The Delaware News Journal reports that Houtman credited his five ANG crewmen with the experience, training, and teamwork needed to get the Hercules out of danger.
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.