A counterintelligence agent from Misawa Air Base, Japan, was recently awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal for his work during an Iraq deployment.

Special Agent Askia Cochran, of the Air Force Office of Special Investigation Detachment 623, served as a counterintelligence agent during the August 2007 to January 2008 deployment, according to an Air Force news release. Misawa officials declined to release his rank because of his duty as a special agent.

On Sept. 30, 2007, while on a mission to recover a weapons cache, Cochran and his teammates were attacked by insurgent mortar and machine-gun fire.

"The insurgent group was held back by ground fire from the unit and Apache air support, and the cache was secured and removed from the area," said the news release.

"Although we don’t serve our country for the recognition or praise, I am grateful to have been awarded this medal in honor of those who fought beside me and those who continue the fight," Cochran said in the release.

Sailor held for allegedly stealing 5 pairs of shoesOKINAWA CITY, Okinawa — A 21-year-old U.S. sailor was in Okinawa police custody Tuesday for allegedly stealing five pairs of shoes last week from a store in Okinawa City.

Seaman Apprentice Jeffery L. Earl Jr., assigned to Camp Courtney, stole the designer shoes Dec. 27 from Shoe Plaza in the Awase district of Okinawa City, said a spokesman for the Naha District Prosecutor’s Office.

Earl then took the shoes, worth 69,000 yen (about $700), to a nearby thrift shop and resold them for about $200, the police report stated.

Four days later, he returned to the same shoe store and sales clerks identified him and contacted police, said a prefectural police spokesman.

"His face and his actions had been captured on security videotape," the police spokesman said.

Earl was arrested at 9:06 p.m. on New Year’s Eve after being taken to a police station for questioning. On Friday theft charges were sent to the Naha District Prosecutor’s Office.

The military would not confirm the name of the sailor.

"As a matter of Department of Defense policy, personal information of servicemembers in custody cannot be released without formal charges," said 2nd Lt. Kurt Stahl. "The U.S. Marine Corps is fully cooperating with local authorities and takes very seriously all incidents and allegations involving misconduct by Marines and sailors."

NCIS wants information on Marine assaultCAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A Marine was listed in serious condition at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Camp Lester on Tuesday following a Dec. 28 assault in Okinawa City.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is asking the public for any information regarding the incident, which took place at an unspecified time in the vicinity of Gate Two Street, a popular bar and shopping district adjacent to Kadena Air Base.

According to the few details being released, two Marines were assaulted in an unprovoked attack by three Caucasian males who had "the appearance of U.S. military personnel."

"If anyone has any information about this incident, they are strongly encouraged to call NCIS at 645-0213," said Marine spokesman 2nd Lt. Kurt Stahl. "Further information is unavailable due to the ongoing investigation."

The victim’s name, unit and manner of injury also were not released.

8th Army GI dies after being struck by a busSEOUL — An 8th Army soldier was killed Monday night when he was hit by a bus as he crossed the street near Yongsan Station, Army and South Korean police officials confirmed Tuesday.

Army officials declined to name the soldier or provide additional details until his family is notified.

S. Korean officers to discuss war command

About 250 high-ranking South Korean military officers will gather Thursday to discuss the transfer of wartime command and other issues, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee is to chair the conference, according to the spokesman.

South Korea is to take over wartime control of its troops by 2012. The top-ranking U.S. military officer in South Korea has maintained that control since the 1950-53 Korean War.

The meeting comes at the same time the ministry is striving to cut costs to deal with a shrinking budget.

Ministry officials confirmed Tuesday that they recently ordered the return of more than 4,500 cellular phones used by senior military commanders.

The move will save the ministry about $226,000, according to the Yonhap News. Those commanders now must use personal phones.

Misawa-based agent awarded combat medalA counterintelligence agent from Misawa Air Base, Japan, was recently awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal for his work during an Iraq deployment.

Special Agent Askia Cochran of the Air Force Office of Special Investigation Detachment 623 served as a counterintelligence agent during the August 2007 to January 2008 deployment, according to an Air Force news release. Misawa officials declined to release his rank because of his duty as a special agent.

On Sept. 30, 2007, while on a mission to recover a weapons cache, Cochran and his teammates were attacked by insurgent mortar and machine-gun fire.

"The insurgent group was held back by ground fire from the unit and Apache air support, and the cache was secured and removed from the area," according to the release.

"Although we don’t serve our country for the recognition or praise, I am grateful to have been awarded this medal in honor of those who fought beside me and those who continue the fight," Cochran said in the release.