SSgt. Aaron Tobler, a geospatial intelligence analyst with the 50th Intelligence Squadron at Beale AFB, Calif., is one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2016. Tobler repeatedly filled Active Duty intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations gaps, logging hundreds of combat mission hours. He exploited 45 high-value targets, providing key indicators and warnings to seven combatant commands. He provided intelligence support to special operations forces, resulting in the neutralization of terrorist camps and associated members. He identified terrorist weapon manufacturing compounds, resulting in crippling a network. He facilitated joint task force convoy overwatch, clearing more than 2,000 miles, securing forces, and marginalizing hostile combatants. He earned a Project Management Professional Certification and a Master Analyst Program Certificate. He led a Friendship Place charity event attended by the President and first family, raising more than $4 million. Air Force Magazine is shining the spotlight on each OAY in the days leading up to AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, which starts Sept. 19 in National Harbor, Md. Also featured were: SMSgt. Mark Farmer, SMSgt. Jeremiah Grisham, SMSgt. Rebecca McNelley, MSgt. Marcus Mader, TSgt. Michael Asuncion, TSgt. Sharry Barnshaw, TSgt. Cassandra Cruz., SSgt. Raquel Caramanno, and SSgt. Derek Miles.
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.