San Diego Staff Sgt. named airman of the year – The United Service Organizations (USO) has announced Staff Sgt. Gino P. Kahaunaele as airman of the year. Kahaunaele will be recognized tonight in Arlington, Va., at the 2010 USO Gala: A Salute to Military Families at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Kahaunael, a member of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron from July 2008 to June 2009, put the needs of his fellow teammates first, often completely disregarding his own personal safety during dire moments of need. In one incident, Sgt. Kahaunaele sprinted into a hail of gunfire to drag a pinned-down, wounded teammate to safety, saving the operator’s life. In another incident, Sergeant Kahaunaele exposed himself to enemy fire to shoot and kill two enemy combatants engaging. This snap decision is credited with saving the lives of the eight helicopter crew members. USO
Fellow soldier speaks about PTSD, accused murderer – A retired soldier is speaking out about the man accused of brutally murdering a mother and her two small children. Matthew Perkins is undergoing psychiatric evaluations, the question is could his lawyers be looking at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, as a defense. While deployed in Afghanistan, Perkins served side by side with now retired 1st Sgt. Patrick Lisbon in the 25th infantry. In a phone interview, he spoke about the man he served with during 2004 and 2005. “He was a great guy, good leader, looked out for his guys, look out for his platoon,” said Lisbon. “When we got deployed to Afghanistan, like I said we got ambushed one day… I kind of feel he saved my life that day and I saved his,” Lisbon went on to say. News Channel 5
Veterans of new Iraq mission deserve same benefits as previous combat veterans – Senator Jon Tester has introduced legislation to ensure veterans of the new Iraqi mission are offered the same benefits that combat veterans have received since the start of the war. Combat operations in Iraq called Operation Iraqi Freedom ended on Sept. 1. The American mission in Iraq is now known as Operation New Dawn. Because veterans’ benefits can change under each new mission, veterans of New Dawn might not be eligible for some of the health care offered to veterans of Iraqi Freedom. Tester’s legislation would ensure access to mental health, nursing home and hospital care for veterans returning from the new mission. Political News
Afghans find tons of explosive devices transferred from Iran – Authorities in southwestern Afghanistan have seized 19 tons of explosive devices that had been transferred across the border from Iran, police said. Earlier this year, a senior U.S. Defense Department official said that new U.S. military intelligence. Iran — a majority Shiite country — and the Sunni Taliban almost went to war with one another in the late 1990s, so it’s not really in their interest to be a major source of top-shelf arms to the Taliban. Tehran has consistently denied supporting groups opposed to the Afghan government. CNN
Female vets returning from Iraq, Afghanistan get supportive housing – The Regional Economic Community Action Program will receive $575,000 from the federal government to support the redevelopment of a nursing home in Walden into supportive housing for 20 female veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who face difficult economic and other challenges. The funding, supported by Reps. Maurice Hinchey and John Hall, both Democrats, will be used to assist women returning home and facing serious obstacles and challenges. Homelessness among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and particularly women vets, “has increased and become a tremendous concern,” said Hinchey. Mid Hudson News
