Barbara Barrett, Secretary of the Air Force, speaks of the accomplishments of Staff Sgt. Alaxey Germanovich, 26th Special Tactics Squadron combat controller, during an Air Force Cross ceremony Dec. 10, 2020, at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. Barrett presented the medal to Germanovich for his actions during a fierce firefight in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, April 8, 2017. Germanovich’s efforts were credited with saving over 150 friendly forces and destroying 11 separate fighting positions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Washburn)