The 2016 Invictus Games—a sporting competition that drew more than 500 wounded service members from 14 countries—came to a close Thursday. The athletes took part in 10 sporting events during the competition in Orlando, Fla., this week, according to a Pentagon release. US athletes took home gold in several events, including in Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Basketball—the games’ final match, according to the event’s website. Air Force MSgt. Israel Del Toro, a tactical air control party member injured by an IED in Afghanistan, won a gold medal in his men’s shot put category, according to the Pentagon release. Britain’s Prince Harry created the games, and London hosted the inaugural games in September 2014. Toronto will hold the third games in September 2017.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.