The Air Force announced Sept. 14 that SSgt. Bryan D. Berky of Melrose, Fla., died Sept. 12 near Bala Baluk, Afghanistan, of wounds he sustained from enemy fire during combat operations. Berky had deployed to Afghanistan from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, S.D. According to a report by the Rapid City Journal, Berky, 25, was one of three US military members killed in the action that continued for six to eight hours after an initial attack by some 50 Taliban insurgents. The Associated Press (via the Miami Herald) reports that Berky was an explosives ordnance disposal technician.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
