SECAF Awards First Nuclear Deterrence Medals

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James awarded the first 25 Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medals to airmen across Air Force Global Strike Command on Nov. 5. The award, which James approved in May, is intended to “recognize airmen for their contributions to the nation’s strategic objectives in nuclear deterrence,” according to a Nov. 6 release. “The example you’ve set over the last year shows airmen across the service—in the combat air forces, the mobility air forces, in space, and cyberspace—that overcoming adversity really is a step on the path to success,” said James during the second day of AFGSC’s 2014 Global Strike Challenge in Bossier City, La. The medals were presented to six airmen from Minot AFB, N.D.; four airmen from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; five airmen from Malmstrom AFB, Mont.; two airmen from Whiteman AFB, Mo.; and eight airmen from Barksdale AFB, La. The recipients serve in a variety of career fields across the Total Force, states the release. “I’m very honored and feel privileged to receive this award because I really love being in missiles,” said SSgt. Amber Moore, a missile chef with the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom. “This is a huge deal for me.” (For a full list of the recipients, click here.) (See also The Global Strike Challenge.)