The 2006 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award winners have been selected: Lt. Col. Eric Axelbank, assigned to Kadena AB, Japan, won in the Senior Officer Category; Capt. Matthew Allen, at Pope AFB, N.C., won in the Junior Officer Category; MSgt. David John, of Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, won in the Senior Enlisted Category; and TSgt. Shannon Cruz, assigned to Ft. Lewis, Wash., won in the Junior Enlisted Category.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
