The Air Force has named the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight of the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron at Dover AFB, Del, its top EOD flight for 2008. The Dover EOD specialists received the 2008 SMSgt. Gerald J. Stryzak Award for their efforts last year that included more than 700 combat missions outside the wire in Afghanistan and Iraq battling improvised explosive devices and recovery of more than 1,200 ordnance items in Delaware. “My guys put their lives on the line time after time and never ask for a ‘thank you,’ or to be put in the spotlight—it’s just duty to them,” said Capt. Patrick Wren, 436th EOD commander. Wren noted that his small 14-person flight provided an unprecedented 580 man-days in 2008. “Just like all EOD professionals, Dover EOD airmen are willing to make personal sacrifices in support of the mission,” said SMSgt. Jeffrey Hurley, 436th EOD superintendent. Hurley added, “When we’re needed, we’ll come—it’s that simple.” (Dover report by TSgt. Kevin Wallace)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.