The Army just honored five airmen of the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, with the Army’s Combat Action Badge, reports Stars and Stripes. During a ceremony on Wednesday, Army Col. Michael MacNeil, who commanded the brigade-sized group of soldiers and “in lieu of” airmen in Iraq, recognized the airmen who came under fire while escorting a military convoy. The airmen are: TSgt. Daniell Stanton, SSgt. Terryl Dooley, SSgt. Terra O’Rourke, SrA. Justin Monn, and A1C Benjamin Finch.
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.