The Air Force awarded MSgt. Duane Frey of the 65th Contracting Squadron at Lajes Field, Azores, a Bronze Star on May 22 for his work as chief of the procurement management review team for the Joint Contracting Command for Iraq/Afghanistan during a deployment to Iraq in 2008. Col. Peggy Poore, commander of Lajes’ 65th Air Base Wing, presented Frey with the award during a ceremony. During his deployment, Frey review of work under more than 1,300 contracts included numerous visits in the face of enemy fire to regional contracting centers scattered across Iraq. “I worked with many who endured much more than I did who will receive lesser honors,” Frey said at the ceremony. He added, “I accept the Bronze Star Medal on their behalf, and I will cherish my memories of serving with heroes.” (Lajes report by SSgt. Olufemi Owolabi)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.