ontent in Nebraska over the Air Force's selection of Barksdale AFB, La., as its preferred location to host the new nuclear-centric Air Force Global Strike Command. News of the outrage expressed by Nebraska elected officials has largely been supplanted by revelation of the budget axe Defense Secretary Robert Gates took to major Air Force weapons programs last week. We covered statements by the Nebraska Congressional delegation, calling the decision outrageous and contradictory. But we also find that, in addition to letters sent to the Air Force and DOD by Sen. Ben Nelson (D), Sen. Mike Johanns (R), and Rep. Lee Terry (R), Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman wrote an April 6 letter to President Obama, asking him to suspend the Air Force action. He writes: "The Air Force is ignoring its own evaluation process in not selecting Offutt Air Force Base. Offutt finished first in every evaluation category. This decision is unfair and unjust." In calling for an independent investigation into the matter, Heineman concludes, "This decision doesn't pass the smell test."Bronze Stars for Five Airmen: The Air Force has awarded Bronze Star Medals to five airmen for their efforts while deployed to support operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. They are:
n Capt. James D. Couch, a security forces specialist assigned to the 349th Recruitment Squadron, Tinker AFB, Okla., received his medal for his work in training Iraqi National Police, serving as national police training coordinator, and helping to establish training camps—work that entailed conducting more than 30 combat missions to outlying sites and operating within a Baghdad hot zone. (Tinker release)
n TSgt. Timothy Bayes, 782nd Training Group Det. 6, Gulfport, Miss., served in Afghanistan as part of a provincial reconstruction team (PRT), making more than 190 convoys and marching through villages and fields under threat from improvised explosive devices and enemy forces. Both he and Snider below accomplished more than their required tasks. (82nd Training Wing release)
n TSgt. Brendan Brown, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight, McGuire AFB, N.J., served as an EOD team leader in Baghdad, Iraq, where his team faced 43 emergency situations and destroyed more than 700 pounds of explosives, hundreds of IED components, and more than 3,000 ordnance items. (McGuire photo release)
n TSgt. Wendell Snider, 782nd TRG Det. 6, like his fellow instructor Bayes, served in Afghanistan with a PRT, risking the same life-threatening conditions to help Afghan civilians with power, agriculture, and economy issues. (see 82nd TRW release above)
n SSgt. Peter Arbelo, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, McGuire AFB, N.J., served as an EOD team leader in Baghdad, Iraq, where his team carried out more than 51 combat missions critical to counter-insurgency operations. (McGuire photo release)