Army WCAP Women Wrestlers Help Team USA Capture World Title

Nov. 3, 2026 | By Stephen Warns, U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program |

Two women's freestyle wrestlers from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program embodied readiness and resiliency by helping Team USA secure its first world title since 1999 during the United World Wrestling Senior World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 24-Nov. 1.Their performances allowed Team USA to edge powerhouse Japan, 137-135.

Army Spc. Adaugo Nwachukwu became the first WCAP soldier-athlete to win a world championship since 2005 in a 12-11 thriller at 62 kg against two-time world champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Nonoka Ozaki of Japan, Oct. 29.

Army Sgt. Abby Nette dropped an 8-6 heartbreaker to India's Manisha Bhanwala to earn a silver medal at 59 kg. Nwachukwu and Nette are the first women's freestyle wrestlers in Army WCAP history to win medals in the same world championships.

"I have a saying: 'We're not here to take part. We're here to take over,'" said Bruce Robinson, Army WCAP women's freestyle coach who assisted Team USA. "I say it jokingly, but at the same time, I'm not joking because I know the potential these women have. When they come into this program and develop the mindset that comes with being part of the military, it adds another layer to what they're capable of doing."

The success of Nwachukwu and Nette during the event also spotlights the opportunities WCAP offers aspiring leaders who want to compete at the international and Olympic level. 

"The success has elevated the program," Robinson said. "Everybody's talking about WCAP now. I've gotten so many texts and messages from college coaches and wrestlers saying, 'WCAP is killing it. What are you all doing?' They see that WCAP produced two of the three finalists. Not everybody can say that. The entire year has been incredible, from having [the] Pan American champions to having six make the finals at the U.S. Open." 

To cap off the incredible year, former WCAP stalwart Iris Smith will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. 

The championship culture fostered under Robinson and assistant coach Nate Engel isn't lost on Terry Steiner, head women's freestyle wrestling coach for Team USA. 

"They really transformed the program, and I'm glad to have Army WCAP as part of Team USA," Steiner said. "I can't say enough about their leadership and what they have done." 

While winning the world championship is gratifying and a huge accomplishment, it's not surprising, Nette said.  

"This has been a long time coming, but at the same time, it just makes us hungry for more," she said. "This is the first team title in 27 years, but it won't be the last. Hopefully, next year we continue building on it and keep setting the standard." 

Nwachukwu, the third seed, opened her tournament with two straight victories by technical superiority — a margin greater than 10 points — against Turkey's Sevim Akbas and Sweden's Sara Lindborg. Nwachukwu beat Bulgaria's Bilyana Dudova, ranked second in the world, 5-2 to punch her ticket to her first senior world final. 

In the final, Nwachukwu stormed out to a 4-0 lead and led 9-4 at one point, but Ozaki scored seven straight points. Nwachukwu, who earned a silver medal earlier in October during the Under-23 World Championships in Las Vegas, overcame fatigue to score a takedown in the waning seconds. 

The victory capped off a remarkable two weeks for her. 

"I knew with U-23 worlds and senior worlds so close together that I had signed up for a challenge," she said. "Obviously, U-23s didn't go the way I wanted, but I had to leave that in the past. I knew I could win at that level, and I knew I was capable of winning senior worlds. I just kept telling myself to let go of the past and wrestle like it was my last opportunity." 

Nette, seeded fifth, also had a remarkable run. She opened with a pin over Burundi's Gloria Niyonkuru, edged Russia's Svetlana Lipatova 7-6, and pinned Ukraine's Mariia Vynnyk, ranked No. 1 in the world, in the semifinals. In her final, she led 6-0, but a questionable call changed the match's momentum. Nette said the shift underscored the importance of having the proper mindset. 

"I had the match in the palm of my hand," she said. "Watching Adaugo compete this past year and seeing how locked-in she has been has shown me just how important that mental side is."

As long as Nette and Nwachukwu are part of the program, something special is always going to happen, Engel said. 

"These two are perfect examples of serving their country, competing at the highest level and accomplishing great things," he added. 

Both Nette and Nwachukwu stressed that it's a privilege to compete at the highest level while serving. 

"Whenever I'm working with kids, I tell them how fortunate I am to be able to do what I love while serving my country," Nwachukwu said. "The Army provides countless opportunities." 

Nette echoed that sentiment. 

"We get to represent the United States both as soldiers and athletes," she said. "That's a really special feeling." 

Army Medical Center Tests Emergency Readiness During Mass Casualty Exercise

Nov. 3, 2026 | By Rodolfo Arispe, Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs |

Brooke Army Medical Center participated in an annual mass casualty exercise at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Oct. 21, to test the hospital's emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

The exercise was designed to assess the surge capabilities of hospitals in the 26,000-square-mile region covered by the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council. It specifically covered participating hospitals' treatment processes, patient tracking abilities and family reunification procedures. 

"As one of two Level 1 trauma centers, we not only treat military members and their beneficiaries but also civilian trauma patients," said George Wible, Brooke Army Medical Center emergency manager. "So, if there ever was a mass casualty incident, BAMC will be one of the primary recipients of patients." 

As part of the simulated drill, BAMC physicians, nurses, medical personnel and staff received news via text shortly after 8 a.m. that a midair collision occurred near San Antonio International Airport. Soon after, about 55 "victims," or volunteer role players, began arriving in emergency vehicles with various life-threatening mock injuries. 

Army Lt. Col. Michael Rowland, BAMC trauma medical director, said the trauma department's participation in the annual exercise is vital.  

"By treating patients through a variety of emergency scenarios, the exercise allows our trauma surgeons to provide quality care for critically injured patients should an incident ever happen," he said. 

BAMC was one of 50 hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region to participate in the exercise. 

Air Force Col. Amy Brown, BAMC deputy commander of surgical services, said the medical center takes an "all-hands-on-deck approach" while conducting the disaster drill. 

"Disaster response is directed by the hospital incident commander, with additional team members having assigned roles and areas of responsibility," she said. "We have playbooks that allow for dynamic collaboration between departments ... and chaplain services play a vital role in assisting families separated from victims and providing reunification." 

Army Capt. Cristina Western, medical center dietitian, volunteered to be an observer/controller and was responsible for tracking patient movements from point of entry to placement. She also noted procedures that could be improved. 

"I didn't realize how widespread across San Antonio that [the exercise] was and how many external entities were involved," Western said. "It was eye-opening to see what the whole process involves." 

According to the regional advisory council, the south Texas medical community uses a four-pronged approach to emergency preparedness: plan, equip, train and exercise. The event results are used to improve emergency plans and identify equipment shortages and other areas for improvement. 

After the four-hour exercise ended, Wible provided an early assessment of the simulated drill. 

"I've heard positive remarks that things went a lot more smoothly and effectively than previous exercises," he said. "Of course, not everything went flawlessly. Ultimately, what we hope to have accomplished is that we identify any gaps or inconsistencies that we can improve upon. We will take those lessons learned and put them into a revised plan, and when we do it again, hopefully we will do even better."