Daily Report

SrA. Michael. J. Buras of Fitzgerald, Ga., died Tuesday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, as the result of wounds he received when an improvised explosive device detonated near him, the Defense Department announced Wednesday. Buras, 23, was assigned to the 99th Civil...

CMSgt. Richard L. Etchberger on Tuesday posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, from President Obama. Etchberger was honored for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity on a Laotian mountaintop on March 11, 1968, that saved the lives of at least three other airmen, but cost him his own life. "Our nation endures because there are patriots like Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger—and our troops who are serving as we speak—who love this nation and defend it," said Obama during the White House award ceremony. He added, "This medal reflects the gratitude of an entire nation." Accepting the MOH on behalf of their father were Etchberger's three sons: Cory, Richard, and Steve. Also in attendance was retired TSgt. John Daniel, one of the airmen whose life Etchberger saved. Etchberger was a ground radar superintendent at a top-secret radar position in Laos known as Lima Site 85. When North Vietnamese ground forces overran the site, Etchberger single-handedly fended them off with an M-16 and helped his wounded comrades to the evacuation sling of a waiting rescue helicopter. When he finally climbed into the sling himself, he was mortally wounded by ground fire. "Chief Etchberger’s gallantry, self-sacrifice, and profound concern for his fellow men at risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force," states his award citation. Etchberger will be inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes on Wednesday.

Etchberger biography

Etchberger MOH citation

Obama's remarks

White House blog entry, including access to award ceremony video

SAF/PA report by TSgt. Amaani Lyle

USAF's Etchberger MOH Web page

For the account of what happened at Lima Site 85, read The Fall of Lima Site 85 from the Air Force Magazine archives.

See also Etchberger to Receive Medal of Honor from the Daily Report archives.

The first Space Based Space Surveillance satellite has completed final testing and is set for launch from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., on Sept. 25, Boeing announced Tuesday. It was originally supposed to go into orbit back in July, but the Air...

Air Force tankers operating in US Central Command’s area of responsibility last week set a record for fuel offloaded to receiver aircraft in one day. They delivered a whopping 4.5 million pounds of fuel to joint and coalition aircraft on...

An Atlas V rocket took off from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., late Monday, carrying a national security payload into space for the National Reconnaissance Office, according to Vandenberg officials. Airmen from Vandy’s 30th Space Wing worked with United Launch Alliance and...

The first production C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft has made its maiden flight, Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday. The aircraft took to the skies Sunday from Lockheed’s facility in Marietta, Ga. The company anticipates delivering this aircraft to the Air Force...

The Israeli Knesset has approved the Israeli air force’s planned acquisition of 20 F-35 strike fighters, clearing the way for the estimated $2.75 billion deal to proceed, according to US and Israeli press reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “purchasing...

Officials at Arnold AFB, Tenn., are conducting ground testing with an F-100 engine from an F-15 fighter, running it on a new tri-fuel blend that the Air Force is considering introducing to the fleet. The mixture comprises 50 percent regular...

Engineers with Air Force Research Lab’s Det. 7, at Edwards AFB, Calif., are introducing a new paradigm in rocket testing as they evaluate a novel turbo pump designed for liquid-fueled rocket motors. In the past, AFRL would often test completely...

More than 70 members of the New York National Guard are at this week’s Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition at Air Force Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town, South Africa. The contingent includes 25 airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing in...

The first Airbus A330-based tanker built for the Royal Air Force has completed its maiden test flight. This multi-role tanker transport aircraft took off from Airbus’ facility at Getafe, Spain, and returned there approximately two hours later during the Sept....

Sept. 11-12, 2010 Sortie Type OND OEF OND/OEF Total YTD ISR 44 139 183 18,525 CAS/Armed Recon 32 149 181 24,611 Airlift 379 379 44,265 Air refueling 110 110 12,188 Rescue 41 41 5,617 Total 894 105,206 OND=Operation New Dawn...