Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. Ray McKibben

Dec. 8, 2025 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

On his third deployment to Vietnam, Army Sgt. Ray McKibben went after the enemy on numerous occasions when his unit was unable to do so themselves. McKibben didn't survive his tour of duty, but his courage and dedication to the mission led him to receive a posthumous Medal of Honor. 

McKibben was born Oct. 27, 1946, in Felton, Georgia, to Albert and Dottie McKibben. He had an older brother named AJ.

Little has been published about McKibben's childhood, but he attended Buchanan High School before following in his brother's footsteps by joining the Army in the early 1960s.

According to a 1970 article in The Atlanta Constitution newspaper, McKibben had been in the Army for five years and was on his third tour of duty in Vietnam when he gave his life to save his comrades.

On Dec. 8, 1968, McKibben led a unit at the head of a reconnaissance patrol of Troop B of the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade. They were in enemy territory near Song Mao in southeast Vietnam, where the U.S. Army had a base.

As McKibben led his team along a well-traveled trail, they came under heavy automatic-weapons fire from a fortified bunker, forcing them to take cover. McKibben appraised the situation before charging through bamboo and heavy brush toward the position, killing its gunner and securing the weapon before directing his patrol to keep moving forward.

As his men continued on, McKibben noticed enemy movement to the patrol's flank. He quickly called in a helicopter gunship for close-air support to neutralize the threat.

When the patrol rounded the bend of a river, they were hit by heavier automatic-weapons fire, this time from camouflage bunkers. When one soldier fell wounded, McKibben ignored the intense gunfire all around him and ran to the man's side, pulling him to safety behind a rock before giving the soldier rudimentary first aid.

McKibben then noticed more of his fellow soldiers were pinned down and unable to take out the enemy bunkers. So, he went on a one-man mission to take them out himself. McKibben charged through the brush amid a hail of gunfire to get to the first bunker, where he killed the enemy inside with his rifle before securing its weapon.

McKibben then charged the next bunker, using his rifle and the captured enemy gun as he went. When both weapons ran out of ammunition, he finished the bunker off with hand grenades.

Reloading his rifle, McKibben provided cover for his fellow soldiers as they continued moving. When he noticed yet another bunker blocking their advance, he once again took it upon himself to assault the position.

Sadly, his luck had run out. As McKibben got close, he was hit by gunfire and didn't survive. However, he was able to shoot one final burst from his weapon, once again killing the enemy inside.

McKibben's courage and commitment helped save the lives of his fellow soldiers and allowed them to finish their mission.

On April 7, 1970, McKibben's widow, Anna, received the Medal of Honor on his behalf from President Richard M. Nixon during a White House ceremony. Twenty other fallen Vietnam soldiers also received the nation's highest medal for valor that day.

McKibben is buried at the Center Baptist Cemetery in his Georgia hometown, where he has not been forgotten. A portion of Highway 120 near where he grew up was renamed in his honor in the 1990s.

The military continues to honor his sacrifice as well. In 1984, a renovated building was renamed McKibben Hall at the now-closed Fort Gillem, Georgia. In 2008, the 7th Squadron that he was once a part of dedicated a conference center and a memorial to him at the unit's new headquarters at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 

Marine Corps Magazine Outlines History, Trends, Future

Dec. 5, 2025 | By Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Laiqa Hitt, Defense Media Activity |

The Marine Corps, founded Nov. 10, 1775, marked its 250th birthday by publishing a comprehensive magazine introducing readers to foundational knowledge of the service branch.

Designed for Marines of all ranks, service members from other branches, civilians and anyone interested in gaining a clear understanding of the Marine Corps, the magazine highlights the service's history, structure and global presence. It opens with an accessible overview of the mission and major campaigns and battles — tracing the evolution of Marine Corps warfighting from its origins to modern-day operations.

It examines the Marine Corps' worldwide network of bases and installations, illustrating how forward-deployed forces enable rapid responses and sustained readiness. Readers are guided through the Marine Corps rank structure and organizational framework, which offer insights into how Marines are trained, led and employed across the Fleet Marine Force.

The magazine also reflects current Marine Corps demographic trends, showcasing how roughly 200,000 Marines serve today, as well as the path forward outlined by Gen. Eric M. Smith, the 39th commandant of the Marine Corps.

18th Wing Airmen Strengthen Kadena Air Base's Foundation for Airpower

Dec. 4, 2025 | By Air Force Airman 1st Class Francisco Huerta, 18th Wing |

Airmen assigned to the 18th Operations Support Squadron and the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron are teaming up to tackle one of Kadena Air Base's most ambitious airfield repair projects of the year in Okinawa, Japan. The project will strengthen the flight line that keeps airpower moving across the Indo-Pacific. 

The joint effort brings together airfield management and engineering specialists to replace worn pavement and upgrade vital runway sections, a job typically reserved for contracted construction crews. This time, the entire project is being completed in-house. 

"From the moment the first truck arrived, our team had to be precise," said Air Force Master Sgt. Maria Atondo, 18th OSS airfield management supervisor. "Every minute matters when you're working with materials that set fast. The planning, timing and teamwork have been outstanding." 

The operation requires careful coordination between airmen managing aircraft operations and those handling heavy equipment on the ground: balancing mission demands with safety and precision. 

"Asphalt and concrete work demand accuracy," said Air Force Master Sgt. Brock Butshke, 18th CES pavements and equipment section chief. "Every step impacts the runway's performance. Our goal is to make sure it's strong, smooth and ready for anything the mission requires." 

Once complete, the improved runway will enhance long-term durability and reduce the need for future repairs — ensuring Kadena Air Base remains a critical launch point for Air Force operations throughout the region. 

"It's been a challenge, but our airmen are proving once again they can deliver results," Atondo said. "When this project wraps up, we'll know that every inch of this runway was built by the hands of our own team." 

This collaboration highlights the base's commitment to maintaining mission readiness and the 18th Wing's ability to innovate and sustain airpower from the ground up. 

Air Force Celebrates 75 Years of Honor Guard Drill Team Excellence

Dec. 3, 2025 | By Airman Shanel Toussaint, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling |

For 75 years, the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team has represented the discipline, precision and professionalism of the service to audiences around the world. 
 
Founded in 1950 to perform ceremonial honors in the National Capital Region, today the drill team operates from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, and performs more than 100 exhibitions each year across the globe. 
 
The team's legacy of precision has been built by seven and a half decades of airmen who refined every crisp movement to reflect the Air Force's commitment to excellence.

 
"We have been the living embodiment of that commitment," said Air Force Capt. Andrew Paquin, honor guard flight commander of ceremonial operations. "The core theme has been the same since the beginning. It's the relentless pursuit of perfection." 
 
Each member trains full time to master the team's seven-minute routine. Behind every public performance are thousands of hours of repetition and technical correction. 
 
"We break down every movement into its smallest components until the sequence becomes muscle memory," Paquin said. 
 
That dedication to excellence was evident during the 2025 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, where the team performed alongside international partners during driving rain and heavy winds. 
 
"Seeing the team perform in those conditions was a reminder of their resilience and ability to adapt and push through discomfort," Paquin said. "Being there on the ground with them created a bond built on mutual trust." 
 
That standard of excellence extends to mentorship and development within the team.  
 
"The main mission [of the honor guard] is to honor the individuals being buried at Arlington [National Cemetery]," said Air Force Senior Airman Richard Miles, honor guard drill team trainer. "Drill is the traveling component of that mission, the part that connects the public to who we are and what we represent." 
 
Miles wanted to join the unit after seeing a drill team performance during his time in Air Force technical training. After he was accepted, he spent more than a year working to become a trainer. 

 
"I failed my first evaluation," he said. "I passed my second and from then on spent a lot of extra hours practicing by myself after group training ended." 
 
The extra hours he spent training paid off when he earned the position of drill team trainer and that perseverance now guides how he trains others. 
 
"We have a big-brother, big-sister program, where experienced drillers mentor new members," Miles said. "As a trainer, the best part is seeing people accomplish what they once thought they couldn't. It's about being a hands-on leader who sets the tone for excellence." 
 
The perfection that audiences see during drill team performances directly reflects the accountability and trust built in training. 
 
"We train to perform under fatigue, stress and pressure, because that's where excellence becomes habit," Paquin said. 
 
That high standard is recognized by symbols on each member's white ascot; the most advanced level of competency is represented by two stars. 
 
"The stars represent the best of the best," Miles said. "You can't earn them through just drills. You have to be the airman that leadership knows they can rely on, no matter what." 
 
While the uniforms, movements and routines have undergone changes during the 75-year history, the mission to represent the Air Force with honor remains steadfast. 

 
"When the team arrives at a performance, they're impressive, but the real magic happens afterward with the crowd interaction," Paquin said. "People see that the airmen behind the uniforms are young men and women from towns just like theirs. That's what builds trust with the American public." 
 
In an age of rapidly evolving technology, the human element is what continues to keep the drill team relevant. As the team looks ahead to its next major milestone, a centennial in 2050, Paquin said the focus will stay the same. 
 
"The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is needed now more than ever," he said. "It humanizes the Air Force mission, builds trust with the American public, and inspires future generations." 

Hegseth Presents Purple Heart to Soldier, Emphasizes Honoring Heroes

Dec. 2, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented a soldier with the esteemed Purple Heart during a brief ceremony attended by just under two dozen service members and civilians in an aircraft hangar at the Dominican Republic's San Ysidro Air Base, Nov. 27.

Army Master Sgt. Amy Vreeland qualified for the award as a result of a mild traumatic brain injury she suffered while deployed to Afghanistan in 2019. However, an administrative backlog resulted in her not receiving the award until January 2023 — roughly three and a half years after she sustained her injury. 

To make matters worse, the award was mailed to her instead of being presented.  

Prior to pinning the Purple Heart on Vreeland, Hegseth made clear that such stories are very relatable to him.  

He then spoke about an Army infantry leader of his in Iraq years earlier who, despite having shown great bravery and valor in combat, received his award — a Silver Star — in the mail, much like Vreeland. 

"And I remember how much that kind of stung him. … And it stuck with me," Hegseth said. 

He then explained that, since assuming the top leadership role at the Pentagon in January, his philosophy is that all awards based on valor should be presented in person, regardless of the unit the awardee is attached to or where in the world they are stationed.

"Wherever you are, someone [should take] the time. It doesn't have to be a big ceremony; it could be something intimate like this," Hegseth said, noting that what's most important is that commands take the time to "recognize heroism [and] recognize excellence" in person.  

"Thank you, sir, for being here today; it's truly an honor that you have … taken your Thanksgiving to be here," Vreeland told Hegseth after he presented her with the Purple Heart. "I am truly humbled that you would take time out of your day to come here and recognize me. Thank you very much."   

Hegseth noted that the origin of the decoration — the oldest military device still given to military members — dates back to George Washington and the Revolutionary War. 

"So, it's as old as our country," Hegseth said of the Purple Heart, before reemphasizing the importance of presenting the decoration to Vreeland in person. 

"And I hope you'll do the same in your units," he told those in attendance. 

Vreeland continues to serve on active duty after 20 years of service despite ongoing complications from her injury. 

Hegseth Directs Task Force to Oversee Department-Wide Barracks Improvement

Dec. 5, 2025 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed in an Oct. 6 memorandum that a barracks task force be stood up to develop a departmentwide investment plan for barracks improvements and report its progress to him within 30 days. 

"For far too long, this department has failed too many of our warfighters. Every member of our joint force deserves housing that is clean, comfortable and safe," he said in a Nov. 25 video posted to department social media sites. 

Too often, barracks are shabby and without basic modern amenities, Hegseth said. 

"But this isn't just about creature comforts. This impacts morale, readiness and our ability to recruit and retain the best warriors. Quality of life for our warriors is a critical component of reviving the warrior ethos and rebuilding our military," he added.

Barracks are where warriors live, rest and recover, Hegseth said. 

"How can we expect them to be ready for anything on the battlefield when their own living space is a constant source of stress and frustration? That all ends now," the secretary said. 

The barracks task force includes representatives from across the War Department, including experts in contracting, leaders from military installations, and experts in personnel, readiness and finance. 

Hegseth expects the task force to deliver results and cut through the bureaucracy to bring immediate solutions, as well as a long-term plan to keep barracks at the standard warriors deserve. 

"No delays, no excuses, and no more business as usual. The standards will be enforced, and accountability will be nonnegotiable. This is not just another study over the course of years," he said. Items the task force will expedite include, he said.

• Leverage the expertise of private industry to deliver innovative technologies and contracting strategies that accelerate construction and renovation.  
• Consolidating, when possible, contracts for maintenance, services and equipment.  
• Empowering unit commanders and senior enlisted leaders to fix issues at their level without having to wait on Pentagon bureaucracy. 
• Working across the federal government to gather even more tools that will help ensure this happens quickly.  
• Working with the Office of Management and Budget on new solutions to renovate and maintain barracks to the standards that warriors deserve. 
• Where possible, using the kinds of rapid processes found in the private industry. 

The Office of Acquisition and Sustainment; Office of Energy, Installations and Environment; Office of Personnel and Readiness and others are involved in planning and execution of the secretary's directive.  

NY National Guard Volunteers Give Lift to Trees for Troops

Dec. 2, 2025 | By Richard Goldenberg, New York National Guard |

Seven New York National Guard soldiers and airmen joined local veterans Dec. 1 to load 150 Christmas trees onto a truck at Ellms Family Christmas Tree Farm in Ballston Spa, New York. 

This was the 21st year that tree farmers in the area donated to the Trees for Troops program. The donated trees are destined for service members and their families around the country. 
 
This year, soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters, based in Troy, New York, and the Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, New York, pitched in to help load the trees. 
 
Five hundred and fifty members of the 42nd Infantry Division are deployed to the Middle East and 200 airmen assigned to the 109th are deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, a National Science Foundation research mission in Antarctica. 
 
The volunteers made loading the trees easy, said Garth Ellms, owner of the Ellms Family Farm. 

"We have a lot of troops that come in and so they work fast," Ellms said. "FedEx handles actually all the trucking of the trees for free throughout the entire country." 
 
For some volunteers, showing up was a way to pay back for receiving trees in the past. 
 
"The first time I did it, it was in 2021, and it was a great experience," said New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Mitchell Mihalko, a recruiter assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing. "How could I say no to an opportunity like this?" 
 
"2022, the winter of that holiday season, I was deployed, [and] I received a tree while I was deployed," Mihalko said. "So, to be on both ends of the spectrum, to see the start and the finished product, it made me feel like I had a duty to come back and to return the favor." 

In New York, trees will be delivered in December to military families at Fort Drum, West Point, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector in New York City, along with other deliveries to 88 other military sites around the country. 
 
Fresh-cut Christmas trees are gathered at regional farms and retail lots, then picked up and processed through distribution centers for delivery to military bases. 
 
The movement and the morning load out of trees included members of the FedEx shipping team who volunteered to be part of the Trees for Troops event. 
 
Getting an opportunity to sign up for the event was easy for Mark Burby, a FedEx employee who said he has volunteered to be on the load-out team five times. 
 
"I'm a veteran, and I'm the senior guy," Burby said. "It's about helping out other vets." 

Since 2005, Trees for Troops has provided 326,273 Christmas trees to military families and troops in the United States and overseas. 
 
Military volunteers from the National Guard turn out each year to load and unload the trees, knowing they will be delivered to other military families. 
 
It is a very satisfying feeling to be part of that, said Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Felix. 
 
"I'm happy to be here; it's such an honor," Felix said. "This is great support for the troops and that's why I'm here to give my time." 
 
Trees are expected to be delivered to military bases next week for distribution.  

DOW Awards $55 Million Grant for Nathan F. Twining Elementary & Middle School at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota

Dec. 2, 2025 |

The Department of War's Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation awarded Grand Force Air Force Base Public School District No. 140 a $55,249,082 grant as the federal share of a larger $69,061,352 project to construct a new Nathan F. Twining Elementary/Middle School at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. 

This project will address facility capacity and condition deficiencies that placed Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School at 70th on the 2019 Deputy Secretary of Defense "Public Schools on Military Installations Priority List" (Priority List).  Upon completion, 500 pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students will be supported through the project.

Funding for this grant is provided under the Department's Public Schools on Military Installations Program.  In making these funds available, the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation must give priority consideration to military installations that have schools with the most serious capacity and facility condition deficiencies, as determined by the Priority List. 

A multi-disciplined Federal Evaluation Team, with representatives from the Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force, Army, Navy, and the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation reviewed the school project to ensure the award appropriately addresses the noted capacity and facility condition deficiencies.

In correcting the identified facility condition and capacity issues at the Nathan F. Twining Elementary and Middle School, this grant keeps faith with service members, improves the quality of education for defense-connected students, aids in the recruitment and retention of vital skills at Grand Forks Air Force Base, and enhances partnerships between the community and the installation.

Hurricane Hunters Wrap Up 2025 Season After Flying Into Three Category 5 Storms

Dec. 2, 2025 | By Air Force Lt. Col. Marnee Losurdo, 403rd Wing |

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended Nov. 30, closing another demanding chapter for the Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters. 

 
The squadron flew 927.9 hours this year across the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and central Pacific basins, collecting critical data that improved forecasts, saved lives and once again demonstrated the unit's no-fail mission. 
 
From their first flight into Hurricane Erick, June 18, to their final mission into Hurricane Melissa, Oct. 30, the 53rd WRS crews faced one of the most intense storm seasons in recent memory. This year's taskings included three Category 5 hurricanes and the second sub-900 millibar storm the squadron had flown into in as many years. 
 
The Hurricane Hunters kicked off the season when a WC-130J Super Hercules aircrew departed Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, for Hurricane Erick in the eastern Pacific. That marked the first operational flight of the 2025 season and the start of what forecasters predicted would be an active year for tropical systems. 

 
"Our job is to fly directly into the storm and collect vital information such as wind speeds, pressure, temperature and humidity," said Air Force 1st Lt. Mark McCoy, 53rd WRS aerial reconnaissance weather officer. "While satellites provide a significant amount of information, the data we gather within the storm is unique and cannot be captured from space. That information helps the National Hurricane Center refine forecasts and gives people more time to prepare."
 
The squadron, assigned to the 403rd Wing, is the only War Department unit that flies into tropical systems to gather real-time atmospheric data. Using a fleet of 10 WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, the squadron operates year-round and is prepared to support 24-hour operations during the peak of hurricane season. Data from its flights is transmitted in real time to the National Hurricane Center and shared with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Navy and other domestic and international forecasting agencies. 
 
"Every time we fly into a storm, we're collecting data that can directly impact how communities prepare and respond," said Air Force Lt. Col. Steve Burton, 53rd WRS director of operations and the deployed detachment commander. "We train all year for this. What we do helps save lives and property."
 
According to Warren Madden from the National Hurricane Center, the squadron's 2025 missions were defined not by quantity, but by intensity.

In the Atlantic basin, the squadron flew into Hurricanes Barry, Chantal, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry and Melissa, as well as an early August flight in the northern Gulf of America and another in late August near the Windward Islands. In the eastern Pacific, crews flew into Hurricanes Erick and Lorena, and in the central Pacific, they supported missions into Hurricane Kiko. 

 
"What was unusual this year was the overall lack of activity in both the Gulf and in the Caribbean," Madden said. "We only flew one named storm in the Gulf — Barry — along with two northern Gulf [flights]. Chantal was the only system that produced direct wind impacts to the continental U.S., and Melissa was the only storm we flew in the Caribbean." 
 
What stood out was the strength of several storms. 
 
"Three of the systems — Erin, Humberto and Melissa — reached Category 5 strength, and Melissa became the second sub-900 millibar storm we've flown [into] in as many seasons," Madden said, referencing 2024's Hurricane Milton. "That level of intensity in consecutive years is rare."
 
The Hurricane Hunters' most demanding mission of 2025 came late in the season, when Tropical Storm Melissa rapidly intensified over the Caribbean. On Oct. 21, the 53rd WRS deployed aircraft to a forward operating location in Curaçao, positioning closer to the system as it strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane. Over a seven-day period, the squadron flew 17 missions and 170 flight hours into Melissa, conducting around-the-clock operations to support National Hurricane Center forecasts. 

 
Flying Super Hercules aircraft at roughly 10,000 feet, the crews penetrated Melissa's eye two to four times per mission, releasing equipment that measured temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and barometric pressure from the aircraft down to the ocean surface. 
 
"That information was delivered directly to the National Hurricane Center to improve forecast accuracy as Melissa intensified," Burton said. 
 
The deployment took place during a federal government shutdown, which complicated travel, funding and coordination. 
 
"Despite the administrative hurdles, our Hurricane Hunters continued operations uninterrupted, ensuring forecasters received the critical data needed to protect lives," said Air Force Col. Jaret Fish, 403rd Wing commander. "Our airmen demonstrated the flexibility and dedication that make the reserve force vital to the nation's readiness." 
 
Burton said the shutdown only underscored the team's professionalism and focus. 
 
"Even with the challenges, our crews stayed focused," Burton said. "We knew communities were already feeling Melissa's impact. Every data point we gathered fed into forecasts that helped officials make lifesaving decisions. That's why we do this mission." 
 
Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean with 185-mph winds, torrential rain and flooding, with Jamaica being the hardest hit and suffering widespread destruction and infrastructure failures. The United Nations and U.S. State Department estimate $6 billion to $7 billion in damage to Jamaica, deadly flooding and landslides in Haiti, coastal flooding in Cuba, and at least 90 deaths across the region, including 45 in Jamaica, where Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Oct. 28. 
 
By staging out of Curaçao, the Hurricane Hunters reduced flight time to the storm's center, enabling more frequent eye penetrations and higher-density equipment coverage during Melissa's peak intensity. That increased cadence provided near real-time data that helped forecasters and emergency managers issue more accurate warnings and evacuation guidance. 

 
With the last scheduled hurricane mission completed Oct. 30, the Hurricane Hunters spent November transitioning to winter storm reconnaissance operations in support of the National Winter Season Operations Plan. These atmospheric river missions collect data over the Pacific Ocean to help predict heavy rainfall and flooding events that affect the western U.S. 
 
"The hurricane season may be over, but our mission never really stops," Fish said. "Whether it's tropical cyclones or atmospheric rivers, our airmen deliver data that directly supports national preparedness and disaster response."
 
From the first flight into Erick to the last eyewall penetration of Melissa, the 53rd WRS's 2025 season reaffirmed the critical role of manned reconnaissance in weather forecasting. 
 
Fish said the crews flew through some of the most intense storms on record, noting, "their work saves lives, protects property and provides the science that forecasters rely on every day. We're proud of what they accomplished."

Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Departs Seattle for Antarctic Deployment

Dec. 1, 2025 | By U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area |

The Coast Guard cutter Polar Star departed Seattle, Nov. 27, commencing its 29th deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze.

The operation is an annual joint military mission to resupply the U.S. Antarctic stations in support of the National Science Foundation, the lead agency for the U.S. Antarctic Program. Historic investment in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" of nearly $25 billion includes $9 billion specifically for icebreakers and infrastructure in the Arctic and Antarctic. This massive investment in icebreakers will secure U.S. access, security and leadership in the polar regions.  

As the Coast Guard prepares to revitalize its icebreaking fleet, the Polar Star remains the only U.S. vessel capable of breaking a navigable channel through the ice to reach McMurdo Station, the largest Antarctic station and the logistics hub of the U.S. Antarctic Program.  

Each year, the cutter serves a vital role in ensuring surface access for fuel and supply ships through the Ross Sea to resupply U.S. Antarctic bases. The Polar Star's mission directly protects the security, freedom and prosperity for the U.S., our allies and partners.

"[The] Polar Star's crew does remarkable work maintaining and operating this ship," said Coast Guard Capt. Jeff Rasnake, commanding officer of the ship. "Each year brings unique challenges, and I'm proud to say this crew has risen to meet them all. The way we've come together over the course of maintenance, and our logistical preparations is exciting as we enter the operational phase of our annual deployment cycle."

Commissioned in 1976, the Polar Star is 399 feet long and weighs 13,500 tons with a 34-foot draft. Despite reaching nearly 50 years of age, it remains the world's most powerful nonnuclear icebreaker with the ability to produce up to 75,000 shaft horsepower.

The continuous effort the crew commits to maintaining the aging cutter ensures the nation's access to the continent and the economic, environmental and national security interests in the polar regions. The Polar Star will continue to support Operation Deep Freeze until new polar and Arctic security cutters enter service in the coming decade.

Since 1955, members of the Coast Guard, Air Force, Navy and Army have proudly supported the U.S. Antarctic Program by providing supplies to McMurdo Station. 

Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. William Windrich

Dec. 1, 2025 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. William Gordon Windrich was only in Korea for a short time, but the skills he'd honed during World War II helped him lead his cold, dirty and disheveled comrades to freedom during one of the most savage battles in modern military history.  

Windrich didn't survive the Battle of Chosin Reservoir to tell his own story, but his heroics led him to posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.  

Windrich was born May 14, 1921, in Chicago to World War I veteran Herman Windrich and his wife, Marguerite. He had a sister named Virginia. 

When Windrich was young, the family moved to nearby Hammond, Indiana, where their father worked as a foreman at the city's only oil refinery.  

Windrich attended several public schools before dropping out and enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserve in June 1938. By November 1940, he was called up to active duty. 

During World War II, "Windy," as he was called, spent nearly two years in the South Pacific as a machine-gunner, seeing action during the Battle of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. He was discharged soon after the war ended and, after returning home, earned his GED diploma. At some point, he married his hometown girlfriend, Margaret. They had a daughter named Alita.  

Civilian life didn't suit Windrich, however. So, in February 1946, he reenlisted in the Marine Corps. That summer, while serving aboard the USS Mount McKinley, Windrich took part in the atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. In the years that followed, he served in positions in around Washington and in China.  

Windrich was on military police duty at Camp Pendleton, California, when the Korean War broke out in the summer of 1950. As part of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, he was one of the first Marines to see action in the conflict. He took part in the Inchon landing and the capture of Seoul before being transferred to Company I of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.  

Windrich was the company's platoon sergeant during the infamous Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where about 30,000 troops from the United Nations, many of whom were U.S. Marines and soldiers, chased defeated North Korean army soldiers up the Korean Peninsula to try to force them over the border into China. When they reached the Chosin Reservoir, however, about 120,000 Chinese troops surged south over the border instead, ambushing U.N. troops and cutting them off from their main supply route.  

The nearly three-week battle was one of the most brutal in military history, waged in below-zero temperatures, heavy snow and frigid winds.  

On the night of Dec. 1, 1950, the enemy launched a sudden attack on the forward elements of Company I's position on Hill 1520. As Marines fell, Windrich organized a group of men and spearheaded an assault toward the top of the hill to confront the enemy forces.  

Despite intense enemy automatic weapons, mortar and grenade fire, the group was able to effectively hold back the attackers while the remaining troops withdrew to safer ground. However, the assault group was decimated in the process. Most of the men were either wounded or killed, including Windrich, who suffered a head wound from a bursting grenade.

Windrich fell back to where his company had repositioned themselves. After refusing medical attention, he organized a new group of volunteers to evacuate the fallen Marines on the frozen hillside.  

Windrich then placed the rest of the troops on the left flank of the defensive sector as the enemy attacked again. Windrich was severely wounded in the leg and couldn't stand, but he refused to leave the fight, shouting words of encouragement and directing his team's fire until the attack was pushed back. Even then, he continued to direct his platoon to set up defensive positions. Eventually, Windrich succumbed to the bitter cold and excessive blood loss.  

"He allowed himself to be placed on a stretcher, and as he lay down, he told one of the men carrying him that he just wanted to go to sleep. Then he died," read a 1985 article on Windrich in his hometown newspaper, The Times. 

Windrich's bravery and devotion to duty inspired the men around him to hold the line despite the tremendous odds against them. Eventually, they were able to fight their way south to freedom. But the battle took its toll. The U.S. reported more than 12,000 casualties, including more than 3,000 dead. 

Windrich's fellow Marines weren't able to carry his body down the 70 miles of mountainous terrain, so he was left behind with the promise from commanders that they would come back for all the fallen Americans when they could.  

Windrich is one of 17 men who received the Medal of Honor for valiant actions during the battle. On Feb. 8, 1952, his widow and daughter received the nation's highest honor for valor on his behalf during a Pentagon ceremony.  

More than four years after the Battle of Chosin Reservoir ended, the promise to bring Windrich's body home was fulfilled, and his remains were repatriated. On July 29, 1955, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. 

Near his hometown in Lake County, Indiana, residents and visitors can read about Windrich's heroics on a section of the Korean War veterans memorial that's dedicated to him. The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, has also erected a Chosin Few Battle Monument in honor of those who fought there. 

Defense Logistics Agency Team Continues Thanksgiving Support for Service Members Around the World

Nov. 26, 2025 | By Maurice Matthews II, Defense Logistics Agency |

Wherever America's troops are serving around the globe, they will experience the taste and smells of home this Thanksgiving holiday, thanks to the Defense Logistics Agency's Troop Support Subsistence team.

One of the largest annual efforts for the supply chain, the team ensured more than 380,000 pounds of traditional Thanksgiving food and other treats were delivered for the 2025 holiday. 

"It is the most significant event that has the greatest influence on the morale of the warfighter and their families," said Robin Whaley, DLA's chief of subsistence for customers outside the continental U.S. 

Careful planning, coordination with multiple parties and attention to detail all go into making sure items arrive in time for the holiday, Whaley added. 

Varying troop strength around the globe each year adds to the importance of being precise in the ordering process. 

"Holiday requirements are like fingerprints in that no two are alike," said John Sheehan, TSS director of customer operations. "The ebb and flow of one holiday item to the next is based on the fluid troop requirements and preferences from year to year." 

For the team, there is always a sense of pride in completing this mission. 

"There is excitement in knowing we are giving the warfighters a representation of their home and knowing the work we do helps them feel more connected to their families and communities," said Army Master Sgt. Jose Montero, TSS noncommissioned officer in charge. "I feel extremely proud knowing an extremely talented, committed team ... worked diligently to ensure every warfighter has a hot meal for Thanksgiving."

For Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shemika Harris, a TSS military food advisor, this was her first experience being on the planning side of ensuring holiday meals for the warfighter. 

"I'm absolutely impressed by the effort and genuine concern that the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Subsistence team puts into this mission," Harris said. "They approach each holiday with a sense of pride and purpose knowing that these meals mean far more than just food." 

This Thanksgiving holiday, military dining facilities can expect to receive:  

• 152,626 pounds of turkey; 
• 124,022 pounds of beef;  
• 66,054 pounds of ham;  
• 38,081 pounds of shrimp;  
• 6,512 cans of sweet potatoes;  
• 15,282 cases of pies, cakes;  
• 792 cases of eggnog;  
• and other holiday treats.

DLA Troop Support annually supplies America's armed forces with more than $25 billion worth of food, uniforms, protective equipment, medicine and medical supplies, and construction and equipment items. 

Projecting Power From the Tower

Nov. 26, 2025 | By Air Force Senior Airman Jared Lovett, 86th Airlift Wing |

From the top of Ramstein Air Base's air traffic control tower, the view of the local German countryside stretches for miles. From that vantage point, 86th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controllers navigate the arrival and departure of every aircraft within the airspace.

 
In a small room on top of the control tower, a team of airmen works 24/7 to sequence aircraft and coordinate with host-nation partners to ensure safe, uninterrupted flight operations. 
 
"Our job never stops," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Lana Fischer, 86th OSS air traffic control watch supervisor. "We work nights, weekends and holidays."

"We never let our guard down," she continued. "One mistake on our end could have a dire impact, so we run checklists and briefs constantly. Our No. 1 rule is to ensure safe airfield operations." 
 
The tower provides air traffic services for the base's surrounding area from the surface to 3,600 feet using both visual and radar feeds. They do all of this while simultaneously meeting every standard required to fly within the local airspace.
 
Daily operations inside the tower require tight teamwork.

 
"It's a very close-knit environment," said Air Force Master Sgt. Paige Smith, 86th OSS air traffic control chief controller. "You're working in a small space together every day, so the team becomes like family. I was stationed here 10 years ago, and it still feels the same. I love coming to work with these people." 
 
To Smith, the job is like solving a puzzle. Sequencing aircraft with different performance characteristics requires constant recalculation in real time. 
 
"You see a potential conflict out the window and you start working through the solution in your head," Smith said. "Which aircraft needs spacing? Who needs priority? You see your plan play out in front of you and that's the part I love."
 
Ramstein Air Base's air traffic controllers play a vital role in missions far beyond Germany. From aeromedical evacuation movements to distinguished visitor support, many of the Air Force's nationally visible operations begin or end under a tower's control. 
 
"We're called the Global Gateway for a reason," Smith said. "A lot of what happens downrange starts here. We may not always know the details, but we know we're a piece of it by keeping the airfield open and safe."

 
Every arrival and departure goes through multiple units before entering or leaving the base. 
 
The ground controlled approach facility controls a wider proximity of airspace around the installation that the airmen in the tower cannot see. The GCA radar team sequences aircraft until they are roughly 5 miles outside the range of the flight line before they transition them to the tower, who takes control of the final approach and landing.
 
Departure works in reverse; the tower works the aircraft from its parking spot through takeoff and up to 5 miles away before handing it off to the GCA for further support. 
 
"They work the larger host nation controlled airspace," Smith said. "If GCA is closed, then we work directly with our host-nation partners at Langen, Germany, but most of the time we hand aircraft back and forth with GCA. It's one mission, just different pieces of the airspace." 
 
Air Force air traffic controllers are increasingly becoming dual-rated, meaning they gain experience in both tower and radar operations. Ramstein Air Base supports that initiative by rotating qualified airmen between the tower and GCA duties.

 
"We want people to have breadth in the career field," Smith said. "It makes you a more agile controller. Our [training] school teaches the foundation for both operations, but you get certified while performing on-the-job duties at your first base." 
 
The responsibility of controlling airfield operations requires diligent focus, discipline and continuous support from every controller. 

The Heart of the Boat: Inside the Auxiliary Division of the USS Wyoming

Nov. 25, 2025 | By Navy Lt. j.g. Mackenzie Jefferies, Commander, Submarine Group 10 |

Deep below the surface, in the steel belly of the Ohio-class USS Wyoming submarine, there is a place where wrenches never stop turning, pipes never fully sleep and the heartbeat of the ship is kept alive by a small band of mechanics who call themselves "A-Gangers." 
 
To the untrained eye, the work might look like grease, noise and endless troubleshooting. To those who wear the "A-Gang" shirt on their backs, it's something much more: family, tradition and one of the most respected jobs on the entire boat. 
 
"[The] auxiliary division handles basically anything on the boat that isn't electrical or nuclear," said Navy Seaman Elvin Pruitt III, USS Wyoming machinist mate. "Plumbing, high-pressure hydraulics, diesel and mechanical systems, if it moves, pumps, drains, cools, floods, shifts or breaks, we own it." 
 
Their systems include air, water, hydraulics, compressors, valves and pumps. It's a job with no shortcuts. A job that doesn't stop underway or in port. A job that rarely gets the spotlight.  

And yet, every person who interviewed for this article said the same thing in different ways: It's one of the most respected jobs on board. 

That's because no matter what happens, someone eventually turns to the auxiliary division and says, "We need you." 

Pruitt described the division in one word: family. 
 
"We're kind of on the outside of every group [on the boat], which means we just bond closer with each other," he said. 

 
Another sailor, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexis Cornelison, the auxiliary division leading petty officer, who initially worked on surface ships, put it differently: "My whole little family is right there," she said. "The camaraderie is what keeps me here."  

Even in a male-dominated environment, the women aboard formed the strongest sisterhood she's ever experienced. 
 
"I don't think I'll ever have friends like this again," she explained. "We've been through everything together — good, bad, all of it." 

The division looks out for each other in ways that go beyond the job. When Cornelison's grandfather died, she said the crew didn't hesitate. They told her to go home, be with her family and they would take care of everything while she was gone. 

"No questions, no hoops, no stress; that's family," she said. "And it's why I'm glad I got to be part of this." 
 
Their paths to A-Gang are as different as their personalities. 
 
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Hillard's father was a part of an auxiliary division on an older sub. Cornelison started as a cook in the surface fleet and then fought for years to switch into engineering before volunteering for submarines once it became open to females. 

She laughed at how unexpected her journey has been.  

"I told my family I liked mechanics, and they said, 'Who are you?'" she recalled. "Everyone thought I'd be an English major or something. But here I am, loving my life on a submarine." 
 
Regardless of how they got here, they all agreed on something important: You don't really choose the auxiliary division ... you jump in, and the job chooses you. 
 
"It's not something you can sit and debate in the recruiter's office," she said. "You have to get thrown into it. Either you love it or you don't." 
 
A-Gang's tempo swings hard depending on whether the boat is submerged or tied to the pier. Underway life is steady, predictable and intense. But being in port is a whole other beast.  

"Honestly, it's busier," Hillard said.  

Contractors moving in and out.  Shipyard workers everywhere. Deadlines, repairs and upgrades.  

"It's more stressful in port," he said. "Underway, we stand our watch, and we work. In port, it feels like everything is happening at once." 
 
When asked about the best part of the job, every single one of them said it differently, but it always came back to this: Solving a problem no one else could solve and finally getting a stubborn system to run right. 
 
"That feeling of troubleshooting something over and over, and then you finally get it right, it's amazing," Cornelison said. "Nobody knew what was wrong, and then you just … figure it out." 

For some, the job is a launching pad into a civilian career. 
 
"It's one of the best [jobs] you can have," said Pruitt and Hillard. "You can go anywhere. Any blue-collar job you want." 

For others, it's a calling, a source of pride. A tradition passed from father to son or discovered in the most unexpected way. And for all of them, it's something they'll never forget. Hard. Dirty. Respected. Full of challenges, full of laughter and full of family. 

A job that runs a submarine in the shadows; unseen, but never unvalued. On the USS Wyoming, A-Gang isn't just a division. It's the backbone of the boat. The keepers of the systems. The unspoken pulse that makes the strategic deterrence mission possible.  

And in the cramped passageways and diesel-scented spaces where they work side by side, they've built something rare: A place where tradition still matters, where leaders raise the next generation and where the hardest jobs bring the closest bonds. 

Air Force Bolsters Airpower Readiness During Arctic Gold

Nov. 24, 2025 | By Air Force Senior Airman Colin Perkins, 354th Fighter Wing |

The 354th Fighter Wing conducted readiness exercise Arctic Gold 26-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Nov. 17-19.

 
The exercise is designed to test the wing's ability to quickly generate, deploy and sustain combat-ready airpower in a high-threat environment. 
 
"A lot of work and planning was put into getting this exercise to run efficiently and effectively, taking into account all of the separate factors that affect the way things play out and what we can accomplish towards the mission," said Air Force Master Sgt. Zachary Kugler, exercise program director. "We use key takeaways and lessons learned to shape the way we generate airpower in the future and how we can apply it to both exercises and real-world scenarios." 
 
During the exercise, the 354th Operations Group tested its mission capabilities and readiness by deploying F-35A Lightning IIs from both the 355th Fighter Squadron and the 356th Fighter Squadron, supported by F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

"The 354th OG is charged with providing combatant commanders with combat-ready forces in order to meet mission objectives and priorities," said Air Force Lt. Col. Lloyd Wright, 354th OG deputy commander. "This [is] accomplished by organizing, training and equipping our component squadrons who project power in the Pacific area of responsibility and maintain the [Air Force's] northernmost strategic runway." 
 
Airmen carried the weight of the hands-on mission execution, building pallets, moving people and cargo, operating vehicles in extreme conditions and sustaining the pace required to generate combat power. 
 
"Operating in the Arctic forces you to think differently, and our airmen proved that they not only understand the constraints but thrive in them," said Air Force Lt. Col. Peter Daigle, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. "We rehearsed cold-weather processes, validated our deployment readiness, and stress tested the systems that enable fighter generation in one of the harshest climates on Earth."

 
Daigle also highlighted the airmen's ability to utilize technical skills and versatility, and to make sound decisions even outside their normal jobs, providing the tactical edge necessary in order to accomplish the mission. 
 
"Every exercise gives us data, but Arctic Gold gave us clarity; our priorities are centered on sharpening the logistics foundations of our wing that makes us a combat-credible force, ensuring our squadron commanders continue to develop leaders who can think critically, operate independently and take initiative," Daigle said. "The future fight will reward agility, creativity and technical mastery — and that starts with how we train."