U.S., Colombian Armies Expand Cooperation

Nov. 13, 2026 | By Ashley Patoka, U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command |

U.S. Army and Colombian army senior leaders met in Bogotá, Colombia, Nov. 10, for the 17th round of staff talks between the two countries, where they expanded plans to work together against regional threats.

The talks followed Exercise Southern Vanguard 27, which highlighted the importance of the continued partnership of the two armies.

Maj. Gen. Brey Hopkins, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, and Brig. Gen. Carlos Alberto Padilla, Colombian army chief of operations, co-chaired the talks.

The bilateral discussions marked a substantial expansion in commitments from both sides, underscoring a renewed military partnership dedicated to safeguarding hemispheric stability, enhancing interoperability, and adapting to an increasingly sophisticated regional threat landscape.

"Though separated by geography and borders, our nations' security is inextricably linked," Hopkins said. "As friends and fellow anchors of land power across the Americas, the U.S. and Colombian armies are committed not only to training together today, but to standing shoulder to shoulder in the years ahead."

Under the updated plan, the armies will work together to counter transnational criminal organizations and illicit armed networks, forging multidomain interoperability across land, cyber and information environments, and establishing robust theater sustainment pipelines to ensure high operational readiness for critical combat platforms.

"Colombia stands at the vanguard of hemispheric defense, confronting complex transnational threats at the leading edge of our collective security," Hopkins said. "Because those threats continue to expand and evolve, our bilateral staff talks ensure our land forces remain adaptable, interoperable and fully prepared to defend our shared hemisphere."

He added that the close partnership between the U.S. and Colombian armies remains an indispensable anchor of regional stability, collective defense and shared resolve.

This engagement reaffirms the enduring alliance forged through decades of mutual trust, shared sacrifice and unwavering commitment to values.

Naval Academy Honors Marine Aviators With Harrier Display

Nov. 13, 2026 | By U.S. Naval Academy |

The U.S. Naval Academy and the Marine Corps formally dedicated a decommissioned AV-8B Harrier II static display at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, Nov. 8.  

The display honors more than a century of Naval Academy graduates who led as Marine Corps aviators in peacetime and conflict across the globe. 

Senior Marine Corps leaders joined Naval Academy leadership and distinguished aviation veterans who gathered at the stadium to mark the permanent installation of the iconic attack aircraft. 

"As the senior Harrier pilot on active duty, I have had the profound privilege of flying, fighting and serving within the [Harrier] community for over three and a half decades. I've watched the community evolve, fight and win my entire adult life," said Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps. "Today's dedication is a tribute to the enterprise that developed it, the pilots who tamed it, the maintainers who kept it flying, the ordnance crews who armed it, and the leaders who sent it into the fight." 

The ceremony featured a precision flyover of F-35B Lightning IIs, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 231 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. The Lightning II took over the Harrier mission as the Marine Corps retired the last AV-8B in fiscal year 2026. 

Later in the day, two UH-1Y Venom helicopters, two MV-22B Ospreys and two CH-53E Super Stallions conducted flyovers during the Navy-Temple football game.  

These flyovers were orchestrated to showcase the strike capabilities and operational reach of Marine Corps airpower and the professionalism of Marine Corps aviators. 

The dedication carries historical significance given Annapolis' foundational role in naval flight. Across the Severn River from the Naval Academy, at Greenbury Point, Marine aviation began in 1912 when 1st Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham reported for orders, becoming the first Marine to earn his pilot's wings. 

Installing the AV-8B display roughly four miles from Cunningham's historic flights anchors the memorial directly to the birthplace of Marine flight operations. 

"From nose to tail, this Harrier tells the story of all Marine Corps aviation, born right here in Annapolis in 1912," said Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, Naval Academy superintendent. Today, 114 years of lethal heritage comes full circle, right where it all began." 

The Marine Corps aviation dedication event honored the unbroken lineage of innovation, grit and sacrifice from Cunningham's early maneuvers to Naval Academy graduates serving as Marine aviators worldwide today. 

Field Musicians Inspired Americans During, After Revolutionary War

Nov. 13, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

A variety of instruments, including drums, bugles, trumpets, fifes and even bagpipes, played a major role during the Revolutionary War, providing motivation, esprit de corps and even aiding in battlefield tactics.

In the smoke and noise of the battlefield, drums could signal troops to move forward or fall back when vocal commands could not be heard. 

The beating of a drum could also help men stay in step during a formation march, signal them to wake up or go to sleep and call them to assemble or break camp.

Field musicians often wore reverse color uniforms on the battlefield so commanders could easily spot them in case they needed to relay orders telling them what to play.

At the start of the war, each of the colonies had their own regulations for field musicians. That changed in 1779 when former Prussian army officer Baron von Steuben standardized the regulations for field music, along with drill and battlefield maneuvers.

The importance of military musicians continued to evolve and grow over the course of 250 years of American freedom. While fifes and drums are no longer used on the battlefield, the armed services have ceremonial bands and concert musicians.

The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is unique in the armed forces as it's the only musical group to dress in Continental Army uniforms, play handmade instruments from that period and even execute drill maneuvers that von Steuben would recognize.

The U.S. Army Field Band performs at concerts throughout the U.S. and around the world. Additionally, the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, U.S. Military Academy and most division-sized units have bands.

The U.S. Navy Band is the service's flagship musical organization, performing at presidential inaugurations, special memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and at concerts in Washington and across the globe.

Additionally, there are 11 Navy bands located worldwide and one at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The U.S. Marine Band, nicknamed "The President's Own," performs for the president and commandant of the Marine Corps. It was founded in 1798 and is America's oldest continuously serving musical organization.

The U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, nicknamed "The Commandant's Own," provides music and drill ceremony to the commandant of the Marine Corps and the commanding officer of Marine Barracks Washington. 

Additionally, the Marine Corps Reserve has a band and there are 10 fleet bands stationed globally.

The U.S. Air Force Band is the service's premier musical organization, performing at White House ceremonies and other important events in the Washington area, as well as in other locations around the nation and the world.

There are also nine service active-duty bands in the U.S. and overseas, a band at the U.S. Air Force Academy and five Air National Guard bands.

The Space Force doesn't have a band of its own.

The U.S. Coast Guard Band is that service's premier band, performing in important concerts in Washington and other venues. It is based at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

Department of War Redesignates CDAO as Super Intelligence Office

Nov. 13, 2026 |

The Department of War announced today the official redesignation of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) as the Department of War Super Intelligence Office (SIO). The rebrand follows President Trump's executive direction to transition federal terminology and national security strategy from legacy artificial intelligence to the era of Super Intelligence. 

Alongside the updated designation, the organization unveiled a new official logo and visual identity, launched its new primary digital domain at www.si.mil and transitioned its official social media presence on LinkedIn as DoW SIO and X @SIODoW.

"This redesignation is a clear signal of where the Department of War is going," said Cameron Stanley. "We have moved beyond experimental prototypes. As the Super Intelligence Office our mission is to harness the full power of sovereign Super Intelligence to ensure decisive military superiority across every domain." 

What's New: 

• Official Organizational Designation: DoW SIO 
• Updated Logo 
• Web Presence: All public resources, acquisition pathways, and partnership portals are now consolidated at www.SI.mil 
• Modernized Social Channels: The public, defense industrial base, and tech community can connect with the office directly on LinkedIn at DoW SIO and on X at @SIODoW

The transition will roll out across digital systems, enterprise applications and component headquarters over the coming weeks. Existing operational programs, industry solicitations and defense partnerships will continue uninterrupted under the new banner. 

For more information, visit the new digital home at www.SI.mil 

About the Department of War Super Intelligence Office: 

The DoW Super Intelligence Office is the DoW's organization responsible for putting SI tools in the hands of warfighters at speed and scale. It supports the digital programs Maven Smart System and the War Data Platform and has the mission of enabling an "SI-First" military. For more information, visit the new digital home at SI.mil.