TSgt. Luis Garcia, a pararescueman assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron at Lackland AFB, Tex., received the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. On July 12, 2010, Garcia saved the lives of three US soldiers injured by improved explosive devices by helping to evacuate them during operations against enemy forces in Arghandab province, Afghanistan. “Those of us who look at his deed, appreciated what he did because we could face the same thing. He’s not only a hero for all of us, but he’s also a mentor . . . and for that, all of us owe him a tremendous thanks,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Zadalis, Air Education and Training Command’s director of intelligence, operations, and nuclear integration, who presented Garcia with the medal during the Dec. 2 ceremony at Lackland, a part of Joint Base San Antonio. Garcia said, “I don’t look at [my deed] as heroic or anything like that. I just think of it as this guy needs to get out and I’m the only one that can do that for him at this time—me and my team.” (Randolph report by SSgt. Clinton Atkins)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.