Astronaut Norman E. Thagard, flying on the Russian Mir space station, sets the U.S. record for spaceflight endurance, passing 84 days, one hour, and 17 minutes in space. The previous U.S. record- holders were the three astronauts on the third Skylab mission in 1974.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.