DOW Identifies an Army Casualty

July 21, 2026 |

The Department of War announced the believed to be death of an active-duty Soldier who was supporting overseas operations in Jordan.

Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan. The incident is under investigation. U.S. Central Command previously announced this Soldier as missing. The Soldier status was updated to a Duty Status–Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased.

Sgt. Rampersad was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany.

For more information regarding Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, members of the media may contact U.S. Army Europe and Africa at media@army.mil.

New York Guardsmen, Greenland Airports Partner to Improve Lodging Facility

 July 21, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jocelyn Tuller, 109th Airlift Wing |

The New York Air National Guard, New York Army National Guard and Greenland Airports are working together to improve living conditions for airmen by repairing a long-standing roof issue at a lodging facility in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. 
 
The project adds a new pitched roof over the building's existing flat roof to stop water from leaking into the facility. There have been two rotations of 46 soldiers so far, and construction is expected to be completed in August, following three rotations of soldiers assigned to the New York Army National Guard's 1156th Engineer Company. 
 
The soldiers are vertical engineers who specialize in building construction, maintenance and upgrades. 
 
"We've known for years that there's problems with the roof," said Air Force Col. Eric Underhill, deputy commander of the 109th Airlift Wing. 
 
The 109th Airlift Wing conducts mission-essential training and provides remote resupply support across the Greenland ice sheet each year, beginning in April and running through August. 
 
Underhill began working with Greenland Airports two years ago to discuss facility improvements as part of a new operating agreement.

Greenland Airports, which owns the building, initially sought a contractor to complete the work. After no contractors accepted the project, Underhill proposed a partnership that would allow New York Army National Guard engineers to complete the construction during annual training.

Under the agreement, Greenland Airports designed the roof and purchased the construction materials, while the New York Army National Guard provided the labor. 
 
"This would not have happened if we didn't trust each other and we didn't have a good working relationship," Underhill said. 

 
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Reid Duncan, an engineering technician assigned to the 1156th, worked with Underhill during multiple site visits to evaluate the project before construction began. 
 
The project builds on work completed by New York Army National Guard engineers during annual training last year. Underhill said the project demonstrated that the soldiers could successfully complete construction projects in Greenland's remote environment.  
 
Construction in Greenland requires months of planning, and the remote location creates additional challenges throughout construction. Underhill said logistics and sustainment make building in the region difficult. 
 
"If something breaks, or you are short on material, it is a long turnaround to get a replacement," Duncan said. 

 
Rather than removing the existing roof, the soldiers are building a new pitched roof over the original flat roof. The new design will direct water away from the building instead of through the interior drainage system that contributed to years of leaks. 
 
"Jobs like this really show them what real construction is like," Duncan said. "We're not just building a 10-by-10 shed; this is a big job." 
 
Underhill said the completed roof represents more than a construction project. The project gives soldiers valuable experience completing a large-scale construction project while improving living conditions for airmen supporting the 109th Airlift Wing's Arctic missions. 

DOW Identifies an Army Casualty

July 21, 2026 |

The Department of War announced the death of an active-duty Soldier who was supporting overseas operations in Iraq.

Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System on July 19, 2026, at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. The incident is under investigation.

Sgt. Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

For more information regarding Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, members of the media may contact the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command at usarmy.redstone.smdc.list.public-affairs@army.mil.

Minnesota National Guard, Croatia Celebrate 30 Years of Partnership

July 20, 2026 | By Army Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh, Minnesota National Guard |

Minnesota and Croatia celebrated the 30th anniversary of their partnership through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program during Exercise Combat Power 26, near Slunj, Croatia, June 29. 
 
"This partnership is best measured not only in years, exercises or official milestones, but in people," said Nicole McGraw, U.S. ambassador to Croatia. "It is measured in Croatian and American soldiers who have trained together, learned from one another and form a kind of trust that only comes from serving side by side."

The SPP joins a U.S. state with a NATO-allied nation to strengthen military capabilities, enhance interoperability and foster long-term institutional relationships. The celebration came just days after the 35th anniversary of Croatian independence, June 25. 
 
Over the years, members of the Minnesota National Guard and Croatian Armed Forces served together in Afghanistan, trained alongside one another in Minnesota and Croatia and exchanged expertise in areas including cyber defense, medical capabilities, explosive ordnance disposal, water purification and military modernization. 

Thirty years later, Exercise Combat Power 26 provided another opportunity for the two forces to train together. 
 
"This exercise is more than a training event," said Lt. Gen. Tihomir Kundid, chief of the general staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, during the ceremony's opening remarks. "It is a good opportunity to exchange knowledge, share experiences and build professional relationships. Armed forces readiness has never been more important than today."

After the ceremony, the smell of grilled steaks filled the air at the Eugen Kvaternik Military Training Area as Minnesota volunteers served dinner to U.S., Croatian and allied service members participating in the exercise. 
 
"This gave me the chance to support and recognize this long-standing partnership between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Minnesota National Guard," said retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham. "It was an awesome opportunity to share this taste of home with the service members and see NATO allies break bread together after a long day supporting Combat Power 26. 
 
Serving Our Troops, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization, traveled to Croatia to prepare and serve 1,000 steaks as service members and leaders commemorated the 30th anniversary of the partnership between the Minnesota National Guard and the Croatian Armed Forces. 

"A good meal may seem simple, but for those who serve, and for those families who support them, it can mean a great deal," McGraw said. "Tonight's dinner is a reminder that service is not only honored in ceremonies. It is honored in acts of gratitude, in communities that remember and in citizens that take the time to say thank you." 
 
For many of the Minnesota National Guard soldiers participating in the exercise, it marked their first time training in Croatia. For others, it continued the relationships built over years of exchanges and shared missions.

Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard, said the trust built during exercises like Combat Power 26 can develop into relationships that last well after the training ends. 
 
"Over the last 30 years, we have built true friendship and trust," Manke said. "The trust that you built during this exercise is a seed that will flourish and bloom years down the road."

Medal of Honor Monday: Army 2nd Lt. Robert Craig

 

July 20, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army 2nd Lt. Robert Craig was an infantryman during World War II. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Sicily during Operation Husky. 

Craig was born in Scotland on June 7, 1919, to William Craig Sr. and Jane Montgomery Craig. He had an older brother, William, and a younger sister, Jane. 

When he was 4 years old, Craig's family left Scotland and eventually settled in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up, he played baseball, football and golf, and, according to a May 1944 press release from the War Department, "spent much of his time tinkering with cars and radios." 

After graduating from Libbey High School, Craig worked as a stock clerk at a grocery store in Toledo. He joined the Army in February 1941, and was commissioned Dec. 1, 1941, just six days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

In January 1942, Craig deployed to Europe with L Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division and six months later, he was part of the July 1943 landings in Sicily, known as Operation Husky. 

On July 11, 1943, the 15th Infantry was advancing near Favarotta, Sicily, when it was stopped by enemy machine-gun fire. Despite failed attempts by three other soldiers, Craig and Army Cpl. James E. Hill volunteered to leave their position to locate and destroy the hidden gunner.  

Craig located the gun and came within 35 yards of the hostile position before being discovered. 

Hill said Craig "ran head-on through the machine-gun fire … reached the gun position miraculously unhurt, and, standing over the crew, killed all three of them with his carbine," according to the War Department press release. 

Now that the hidden machine-gunner was gone, the company moved forward. However, as it moved down the forward slope of a ridge, Craig and his platoon encountered approximately 100 enemy soldiers. With utter disregard for his own safety, Craig elected to sacrifice himself so that his platoon could continue. 

His Medal of Honor citation states, "He ordered his men to withdraw to the cover of the crest while he drew the enemy fire to himself. With no hope of survival, he charged toward the enemy until he was within 25 yards of them. He killed five and wounded three enemy soldiers. While the hostile force concentrated fire on him, his platoon reached the cover of the crest.  

"Craig was killed by enemy fire, but his intrepid action so inspired his men that they drove the enemy from the area, inflicting heavy casualties on the hostile force." 

Army Maj. Gen. Alan W. Jones, 106th Infantry Division commander, presented the Medal of Honor to Craig's father May 26, 1944, during a ceremony at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. 

In July 1946, the cargo ship Bowling Green Victory, operated by the War Shipping Administration, was transferred to the Army Transportation Service and renamed the Lt. Robert Craig. In 1950, the ship was transferred from the Maritime Commission to the Navy and remained in service until 1973. 

In 1957, Craig's hometown dedicated the Robert Craig Memorial Bridge to him. According to the Toledo Gazette, more than 2,000 people attended the ceremony on a cold January day, including Craig's parents and siblings. 

Craig is buried in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery in Sylvania, Ohio, near his parents.   

DOW Identifies Army Casualties

July 20, 2026 |

The Department of War announced the death of two active-duty Soldiers who were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii was killed in action on July 18, 2026, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, was killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack on July 17, 2026, at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan. The incident is under investigation.

1st Lt. Feehan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Pvt. Gonzales was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany.

For more information regarding 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, members of the media may contact U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command at media@army.mil.

U.S., Canadian, Thai Navies Sharpen Maritime Capabilities During Exercise CARAT Thailand

 July 17, 2026 | By Navy Chief Petty Officer Mike Wright, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 |

The United States concluded the landmark 32nd iteration of Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand, July 15, in Sattahip, Thailand, reinforcing America's enduring commitment to a free, open and secure Pacific region.

Over 10 days of at-sea and shore-based training with the Royal Thai Navy and Royal Canadian Navy, U.S and partner forces sharpened the combined maritime capabilities that underpin regional security cooperation.  

This year, the United States expanded its contribution to the exercise, demonstrating the breadth and integration of American maritime power. U.S. forces participated with a multimission P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft assigned to the Commander, Task Force 72 and U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutters the USCGC Emlen Tunnell and the USCGC Charles Moulthrope assigned to the Expeditionary Cutter Squadron. 

These units operated with a Royal Thai Navy surface force, including the frigate HTMS Taksin and the frigate HTMS Saiburi.

"It's been an honor to operate with our Royal Thai Navy partners for the 32nd iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Mike Ross, commodore of Expeditionary Cutter Squadron. "We were given the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the Coast Guard fast response cutters, which we plan to maximize to further partnerships and address shared maritime concerns." 

The at-sea phase in Sattahip and the Gulf of Thailand included complex training scenarios focused on antisubmarine warfare, air defense, surface action group coordination, mine countermeasures and search and rescue training. These exercises advanced the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian and Thai forces' abilities to refine their tactics, techniques and procedures in a dynamic maritime environment.

Beyond the at-sea exercises, CARAT Thailand fostered strong relationships through a variety of shore-based activities in Sattahip and Songkhla, including community service projects, sports days and cultural exchanges. 

Subject matter expert exchanges and practical education sessions covered crucial topics such as maritime domain awareness, medicine and at-sea explosive ordnance disposal, further enhancing interoperability and knowledge sharing. Additionally, the Royal Canadian Navy expanded the scope of the exercise by providing members of a visit, board, search and seizure team to participate in collaborative training events alongside regional partners.

CARAT Thailand is a long-standing exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner maritime forces' abilities to operate together in response to shared challenges in the region. 

As the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 remains committed to building partnerships and promoting maritime security throughout the region.

Readout of the 45th U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission

July 17, 2026 |

On July 15, Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman and Jordan's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Major General Yousef Al Hnaity co-chaired the 45th U.S.-Jordan Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Amman, Jordan, reaffirming the mutual commitment to the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The JMC serves as the premier bilateral forum for aligning U.S. and Jordanian defense policies and advancing mutual security objectives. Assistant Secretary Zimmerman underscored the National Defense Strategy imperative to empower allies and partners to take primary responsibility for their defense. He highlighted Jordan's indispensable leadership in advancing regional and international security and stability efforts and in protecting our people and our assets.

The delegations discussed a broad range of issues that are vital to both countries' shared strategic interests, to include enhancing interoperability between U.S. and Jordanian forces and fostering critical warfighting competencies to address mutual security challenges. They also discussed a range of regional policy priorities and opportunities for increased military cooperation, including on integrated air and missile defense and counterterrorism.

The 45th JMC concluded with both nations expressing a mutual commitment to strengthen the U.S.-Jordan defense partnership.

Medal of Honor Recipient Welcomes Newest Student Naval Aviators

July 17, 2026 | By Austen McClain, Naval Education and Training Command |

The oldest living Medal of Honor recipient returned to the base where he earned his gold wings July 15, joining Naval Aviation Schools Command in congratulating 29 student naval aviators who completed their introductory flight evaluation training, the first milestone on the path to those same wings.

Retired Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams, 101, enlisted during World War II and earned his wings at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, in August 1945, going on to fly combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

He received the Medal of Honor Feb. 24, 2026, for a 1952 solo engagement against seven Soviet MiG-15 jets that remained classified for more than 50 years. He is the only living Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War.

For the student naval aviators seated in front of him, the medal was not the point; the wings were. Williams earned his at the end of the same training pipeline these students have entered, and, 81 years later, he came back to tell them what carried him through it.

"He is the living, breathing standard, the embodiment of what it means to be a United States naval aviator," said Navy Capt. Ron Rumfelt, NASC commanding officer. "This is the history and heritage you join today."

NASC, a subordinate command of Naval Education and Training Command, trains and develops future naval aviators, naval flight officers and aircrew for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The flight evaluation training is the entry point of that pipeline, combining aviation ground school and introductory flight instruction to screen and prepare students before they report to primary flight training.

Rumfelt told the graduates that the connection between Williams' era and theirs is the training itself.

"We are the best-trained aviators in the world. We do it better than anybody," he said. "It starts with preparation. It ends with debriefs. We call that the relentless pursuit of perfection, because you do not know when that training is going to be called upon, when you will be challenged like Capt. Williams was challenged."

After the ceremony, Williams took questions from the graduates. When asked what advice he would give a student naval aviator to be successful, he pointed to the same standard.

"You have to want it. The word that comes to mind is push. Be diligent," Williams said. "Each one of you is different, but you are all trying to attain the same goal, [be] the best you can. I took every activity as a challenge."

That approach, he told the students, never changed across a career that spanned three wars and ended with his retirement as a captain in 1980.

"It was not a game. It was business," he said. "I applied myself, and the rewards were good."

The graduates now report to primary flight training, where they will fly the T-6B Texan II or enter the helicopter training track on the way to their own wings.

DHA Partners With Marines to Refine Portable TBI Assessment Technology for Austere Battlefield

July 14, 2026 | By T. T. Parish, Defense Health Agency |

Team members assigned to the Defense Health Agency's Warfighter Readiness, Performance and Brain Health team hosted an end user touchpoint at the Tactical Medicine Training Center, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 30.

The event brought together Navy corpsmen and medical officers from across the II Marine Expeditionary Force to assess new capabilities for evaluating traumatic brain injuries on the battlefield. Participants evaluated Traumatic Brain Injury Field Assessment Program devices in a hands-on session, providing TBI-FAP developers with critical feedback directly from front-line medical providers who may one day use the equipment in austere environments.

The TBI-FAP program is managed by brain health experts within the WRPBH Project Management Office in collaboration with partners at the North Carolina Center for Optimizing Military Performance. This event, the latest in a series, was designed to gather feedback on TBI assessment technology prototypes being developed for use in a far-forward operational environment. Feedback from prospective end users is a vital step in the early development of any program, according to Damien Hoffman, a product manager with WRPBH.

"Collaborating with stakeholders across the military services and from key organizations in a systematic, routine way is imperative to our team's success," Hoffman said. "These touchpoints allow us to gather an array of feedback from end users with varying degrees of experience and expertise, an invaluable resource as we develop products for the warfighter."

During the assessment, Navy corpsmen and medical officers got hands-on experience with the candidate technologies to test usability, durability and integration into existing tactical combat casualty care workflows.

"It is great, for me as a corpsman, to see what types of technologies are being developed for medical providers who operate at the front lines," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Aspen Mitchell, a hospital corpsman assigned to the Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. "Because of our expeditionary mission, we could literally be deployed anywhere in the world, and healthcare is vital for mission success. It is important for us, as medical providers, to give input on technologies during the development process to make the candidate technologies better and ensure they meet our needs as possible end users."

As the War Department continues to prepare for possible large-scale combat operations in austere environments worldwide, ensuring that warfighters have immediate access to neurological assessments is a top priority for military health leaders within the DHA. In future conflicts, medical providers anticipate a high likelihood of prolonged field-care scenarios. Unlike operations over the last two decades, where aeromedical evacuation was often rapid and guaranteed, near-peer conflicts in austere, remote locations will likely feature highly contested airspace and limited aviation resources.

For the Navy-Marine Corps team, these challenges are compounded by their unique role as the nation's premier amphibious force. Marines and their embedded Navy medical providers frequently operate in distributed, maritime environments — moving from ship to shore or securing expeditionary advanced bases across vast littoral regions. In these decentralized operational areas, the "golden hour" for traditional medical evacuation is often unattainable.

Because of these unique amphibious and logistical constraints, Navy corpsmen must be equipped to hold, monitor and treat casualties at or near the point of injury for extended periods. The ability to accurately assess traumatic brain injuries on the front line using lightweight, organic tools — like those developed through the TBI-FAP — is critical. It empowers first responders to make vital triage decisions, manage complex neurological trauma while isolated on distant shores and prioritize limited maritime medical evacuation assets for the most critical cases.

"Our process is a continuum, with flexibility to evolve alongside emerging threats and meet the needs of front-line warfighters, combatant commands and joint staff," Hoffman said. "Our goal is to rapidly develop a TBI assessment capability at the speed of relevance and these touchpoints are imperative to achieving that goal."

DHA Official Says TRICARE Pharmacy Ensuring Essential Medication Delivery Worldwide

July 16, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The War Department delivers one of the most comprehensive health benefits, through TRICARE, including an exceptional prescription drug benefit program, said David J. Smith, Defense Health Agency deputy director, during a Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee hearing in Washington yesterday. 

TRICARE covers most prescription drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Those eligible for coverage include active duty, military retirees, their families, and National Guard and reserve component service members. Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the sponsor's uniformed service and reported in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. 

"DHA is proud of the comprehensive worldwide pharmacy benefit it offers to our 9.5 million beneficiaries," Smith said. 

TRICARE currently offers at least one network pharmacy within a 15-minute drive for more than 98% of beneficiaries, and more than 99% are within a 30-minute drive of one of the network's thousands of pharmacies.

"The department is effectively managing this important health benefit that helps support force readiness, recruitment, retention and the health of our service members and their families," Smith said. "A resilient pharmacy program supports both beneficiary health and military readiness by ensuring reliable access to essential medications wherever the force operates." 

Smith also said that clinical effectiveness remains the primary determinant of TRICARE decisions. Comparative cost-effectiveness and lifecycle affordability are also evaluated to ensure that finite military health resources are used efficiently while maintaining high-quality care. 

Taxpayer savings were achieved through negotiated discounts for prescriptions. These savings help offset increasing pharmaceutical expenditures and preserve funding capability across the broader military health system enterprise. 

Pharmaceutical spending represents one of the fastest-growing components of the department's health expenditures. Continued growth in specialty pharmaceuticals, biologics and chronic disease therapies will require ongoing efforts to preserve affordability while maintaining high-quality care for beneficiaries, Smith added. 

The department also considers supply chain continuity and the ability to reliably support military requirements when evaluating long-term pharmaceutical management strategies.

Wyoming Air Guardsmen Activate for Wildland Firefighting in Western U.S.

July 16, 2026 | By Air Force Master Sgt. Jonathon Alderman, 153rd Airlift Wing |

The Wyoming Air National Guard's 153rd Airlift Wing was activated July 13 to support wildland firefighting operations in the western United States, wing officials announced.

The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, requested four modular airborne firefighting system-capable C-130s from the War Department in response to increased wildfire activity across several western states.

The nation reached National Preparedness Level 4, the second-highest level, June 29, with significant fire activity in the Southwest, Great Basin, Rocky Mountain and Northwest geographic areas. Fire potential is expected to increase because of extremely dry fuels, excessive heat and forecasted dry lightning.

The wing is deploying two C-130 Hercules aircraft — one equipped with a modular airborne firefighting system and one support aircraft — along with approximately 20 airmen, including aircrews, maintenance personnel and support staff. Crews were operational and ready to receive launch orders yesterday. The activation is expected to last through Aug. 10.

The aircraft will initially operate from the San Bernardino Air Tanker Base in San Bernardino, California. A second staging location will be announced later.

"Our airmen train year-round alongside the U.S. Forest Service and our interagency partners for exactly this mission," said Air Force Col. Brian Diehl, 153rd Airlift Wing commander. "When the nation calls, the 153rd is ready to answer, and we are proud to stand with the firefighters working to protect lives, property and public lands across the West."

The modular airborne firefighting system is a self-contained aerial firefighting system owned by the Forest Service that can discharge up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than 10 seconds across a quarter-mile line. The system slides into the cargo bay of a military C-130, and retardant is released through a nozzle on the rear left side of the aircraft.

Modular airborne firefighting system-equipped military aircraft provide a critical surge capability to bolster wildfire suppression efforts when commercial airtankers are fully committed or unavailable.

"This is one of the most visible and rewarding missions we perform," said Air Force Maj. Randi Carpenter, a navigator assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing serving as mission commander for the activation. "Our crews understand that every drop they make helps a firefighter on the ground, and they take that responsibility seriously."

Although flying gets the most attention, Air Force Master Sgt. Nathaniel Sobieski said a mission like this runs on the people behind the scenes: the maintainers, aerial porters and support airmen who keep that aircraft ready for every launch order.

"Fire season doesn't wait on maintenance, so our job is to make sure the airplane is always ready," said Sobieski, a crew chief assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing. "When it launches and helps protect a community, every one of us owns a piece of that."

The 153rd Airlift Wing is one of four military airlift wings that perform the Modular Airborne Firefighting System mission. The others are the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, the Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. The units operate under the Modular Airborne Firefighting System Air Expeditionary Group when activated for wildland firefighting.

The National Interagency Fire Center serves as the nation's primary coordination center for wildland firefighting efforts, comprising eight key agencies and organizations, including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Weather Service, U.S. Fire Administration, National Association of State Foresters and various state emergency response agencies.

D.C. National Guard Boosts Homeland Defense With First Maritime Security Vessel

July 14, 2026 | By Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Valentine, Joint Task Force D.C. |

The District of Columbia National Guard's 260th Special Purpose Brigade recently commissioned its first maritime security vessel, marking the first time an Army unit in the nation's capital has operated a dedicated waterborne platform.

The new capability strengthens the guard's ability to secure the district's waterways, critical infrastructure and major national events — a mission aligned with the National Defense Strategy's objective of defending the homeland. 

Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, D.C. National Guard interim commander, said the organization's newest maritime capability reflects its legacy of service and its vision for the future. 

"For 224 years, the District of Columbia National Guard has answered our nation's call by evolving to meet the challenges of every generation," Blanchard said. "This new maritime capability is more than a vessel — it is an investment in the partnerships, readiness and modern capabilities that enable us to better support the local, state and federal agencies that protect our nation's capital every day." 

Created under an executive order, the brigade was designed to enhance coordination between military forces and the district's civilian security agencies.  

Army Col. Larry Doane, brigade commander, said the unit's role is straightforward: "Homeland defense is a team sport. We're the connective tissue between military response and the agencies that secure the capital every day."

Washington's security environment is uniquely complex — protected airspace, dense federal infrastructure, overlapping jurisdictions, all within two bodies of water. Brigade soldiers routinely support local and federal law enforcement, fire and emergency services during national special security events.  

We do more national special security events in a year here than most places do in a lifetime, Doane said. 

Bounded by two rivers, the district requires a robust maritime security posture. The brigade's new vessel, sourced through a Navy partnership, will support waterborne operations during events such as the Fourth of July. It primarily serves as an observation and assessment platform enabling civil support teams to conduct hazard detection aboard vessels and expand overwatch alongside local units. 

"We're not replacing law enforcement — we're increasing their capacity," Doane said, emphasizing the guard's supporting role. "When the district needs more eyes, more reach, more resilience, that's where we come in." 

The waterborne vessel complements a broader modernization effort within the brigade's 547th Transportation Company, which now operates a growing fleet of tactical vehicles to maneuver through dense crowds and restricted urban terrain during events.

These assets support local and federal law enforcement armed overwatch, traffic control points, rapid movement across secured zones, medical services and dignitary protection missions — completing the brigade's evolution into a multidomain security force. 

"The 547th has to be not only one of the most effective, but one of the coolest transportation units in the world," Doane said. "Not only does it operate light medium tactical vehicles, and heavy tactical vehicles — but it has a fleet of [off-road tactical] vehicles and now a growing fleet of security vessels to support maritime security." 

The brigade's mission reflects a core principle of the National Defense Strategy: resilience deters adversaries. Doane noted that attackers study soft targets, but in Washington they find none. 

"When someone goes into our metros and sees you can't even get away with a purse snatching and petty crime, that matters," he said. "Presence prevents bad actors from believing an attack will succeed." 

During this year's Fourth of July celebrations, the brigade provided local and federal partners with critical capability enhancements, including additional traffic control points, crowd management, and medical support to help ensure a safe and successful event. 

What distinguished this year's support was the integration of enhanced capabilities designed to increase operational flexibility and response capacity. These included specialized response teams to complement local and federal law enforcement, maritime security assets and increased mobility to rapidly deploy personnel and resources wherever needed.  

Together, these capabilities strengthened the unified interagency response and improved the ability to adapt to evolving operational requirements in real time. 

"When symbols of freedom are center stage, like on the Fourth of July, some bad actors might see a target. In such cases, we pivot on a dime and defend the capital," Doane said. "But even more important than the pivot is the deterrence of presence, high-level training and equipment that prevents the attack in the first place." 

With one vessel operational and four planned, the brigade is working with the Navy to select platforms proven worldwide and interoperable with the local law enforcement fleet. The goal is seamless coordination across agencies responsible for defending the nation's capital. 

"We used to rely on the oceans for homeland defense," Doane said. "We can't rely on that anymore. We rely on resilience and deterrence — our enemies must know we're prepared." 

Skyfall Simulation: NATO Partners Rehearse Downed Aircraft Response

July 14, 2026 | By Army Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount, Kosovo Force Regional Command East |

Kosovo Force Regional Command East's Task Force Aviation and multinational partners conducted a downed aircraft exercise June 25 near Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, rehearsing search and rescue, medical evacuation and aircraft recovery procedures following a simulated UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hard landing.

The realistic scenario challenged the NATO-led command's aviation, medical, maintenance and security personnel to coordinate a rapid response across the force's multinational footprint, reinforcing their ability to respond to real-world emergencies.

The exercise unfolded in deliberate phases. After an overdue aircraft report from Task Force Aviation's tactical operations center, aviation crews initiated an aircraft search and directed Tennessee Army National Guard medevac aviators to the aircraft's last known location.

Shortly after, medevac crews arrived. Flight medics triaged wounded personnel while two patients were airlifted, and two others were transported by ambulance to the Camp Bondsteel medical facility.

Finally, the downed aircraft recovery team, with maintenance specialists aboard another UH-60 Black Hawk, assessed whether the downed aircraft could be repaired on-site, recovered or required removal.

Unit leaders said the exercise tested command-and-control procedures and coordination across the force.

"We have a bunch of different battle drills within our [tactical operations center], one of which is an overdue aircraft procedure," said Army Capt. Alex Aleu, observer, controller and trainer for the exercise. "The exercise tested communications, battle tracking and the flow of critical information from our TOC up to the brigade joint operations center and back down to maneuver elements."

The training emphasized command relationships and the timing required to coordinate a rapid response.

"When you do an incident rehearsal with aviation, there are certain benchmarks you have to hit," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jimmy Huck, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team aviation officer, adding that aviation assumes a 15-minute ready posture, tasking medevac assets first while notifying the brigade joint operations center to mobilize military police, maneuver quick-reaction forces and local law enforcement, when necessary.

Army Capt. Kevon Harris, Huck's brigade aviation counterpart, stressed the JOC's role.

"The JOC also alerts the brigade commander of all resources that are shifted to assist with a scenario of this kind," he said, noting that within four hours the exercise had all elements in place and patients were routed to appropriate care, a standard he called a success.

Medical response was another key focus of the exercise. Army 1st Lt. Lauren Sokolowski, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team brigade medical officer, highlighted the importance of standardized casualty reporting and movement.

"Our job in medical operations is to facilitate nine-line medevac requests, making sure ground and air assets are tracking and helping with casualties," Sokolowski said, adding the exercise refined medical equipment and hands-on skills for both medics and nonmedical soldiers tasked with casualty cards and basic life support.

Interoperability remained a recurring theme. Aviation crews from multiple Army National Guard units simulated the downed flight crew; Colorado and Tennessee guardsmen performed the casualty lift; and quick-reaction and security responsibilities flowed between the Florida Army National Guard's 715th Military Police Company and the Latvian armed forces.

Meanwhile, the aircraft recovery team arrived with maintenance personnel to evaluate structural damage and develop a recovery plan — a deliberate, safety-first sequence that ensures the right technicians, tools and approvals are in place before recovery operations begin.

The exercise also underscored the value of rehearsal. Aleu said the training is an annual requirement that gains complexity in theater, offering opportunities to integrate NATO partners and host-nation responders in ways not possible at home.

"We practice this stuff stateside, but it's definitely more encompassing here with all the entities that can have a piece and play in the exercise," he said.

By day's end, the scenario gave the command vital practice in lifesaving timelines, multinational coordination and the logistics of aircraft recovery that are all core components of maintaining a safe, secure environment and protecting the people of Kosovo. These rehearsals keep the force ready when lives depend on speed, precision and teamwork.

USS San Antonio Assumes Relief Mission in Venezuela

July 13, 2026 | By Navy Lt. j.g. Paul Archer, U.S. 4th Fleet |

Supporting ongoing disaster relief efforts, the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio arrived at the port in La Guaira, Venezuela, July 9, relieving the USS Fort Lauderdale as the primary maritime component of the State Department-led humanitarian assistance mission following the devastating June 24 earthquakes. 

After the Fort Lauderdale's historic arrival June 28 — the first Navy port call to Venezuela in decades — the San Antonio will now take over as the primary afloat coordination hub and continue sustained recovery efforts. The ship's robust command-and-control infrastructure enables U.S. Southern Command to work seamlessly with the State Department, interagency partners and Venezuelan authorities to distribute resources and direct rapid relief operations across the affected areas. 

"The sailors and Marines of [the] USS Fort Lauderdale and Littoral Combat Force 24 have worked tirelessly to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela," said Navy Capt. Jiwan Mack, USS Fort Lauderdale commanding officer. "Our Navy-Marine Corps team remains ready to respond rapidly to emerging crisis." 

The continuous presence of a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock in port is a critical force multiplier for the interagency relief operation. Designed for extended, self-sustaining operations, the ship requires minimal local security, logistical support or port resources. This approach ensures that all local Venezuelan assets can remain entirely focused on domestic recovery rather than supporting the U.S. presence. 

Beyond serving as a communication hub, the San Antonio brings advanced onboard medical facilities, an expansive flight deck to support ongoing rotary-wing search and rescue operations, and a well deck capable of launching amphibious landing craft to deliver heavy cargo and vital supplies directly to damaged coastal infrastructure. 

"We are prepared to continue the vital mission that [the] USS Fort Lauderdale began," said Navy Capt. Tom Uhl, USS San Antonio commanding officer. "The presence of [the] USS San Antonio and Littoral Combat Force 24 in La Guaira represents more than just a transition of ships; it demonstrates the resolve and inherent capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team in supporting Department of State-led disaster response efforts to bring relief to the Venezuelan people."

The transition between the two Navy vessels was executed safely and efficiently, with the San Antonio immediately integrating with U.S. aviation assets already operating in the region, including elements of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 48 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365.

At the direction of Southcom, assigned U.S. military forces are supporting State Department-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Venezuela. Planning for continued U.S. military support remains ongoing in close coordination with the State Department, the Venezuelan government and international partners contributing to the relief effort. 

The U.S. military forces supporting Venezuela are built for rapid, short-term response to stabilize a crisis, minimize immediate suffering and save lives. This presence is temporary, remaining active for as long as requested, ready to transition relief tasks to nongovernmental organizations, international aid groups and local authorities as soon as the immediate crisis is stabilized.

Reduction Expected for Japan Cost-of-Living Allowance Rates

July 13, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Skyler Combs, United States Forces Japan |

Service members based in Japan will likely see a reduction in their overseas cost-of-living allowance in the coming weeks because of a long-term drop in the value of the Japanese yen and a corresponding increase in the value of the dollar.

The yen recently reached a 40-year low against the dollar. Because the U.S. currency now buys significantly more goods and services on the local economy than it did previously, the supplemental allowance required to equalize purchasing power, commonly known as COLA, is shrinking.

Overseas COLA is a nontaxable supplemental pay allowance designed to offset overseas prices of goods and services, ensuring purchasing power remains equal to service members stationed in the contiguous U.S. It is not a fixed pay entitlement and is explicitly designed to fluctuate with currency exchange rates.

The COLA index for many installations in Japan is projected to drop to 100 and below, meaning the allowance will be zero. If that number is below 100, no pay is deducted from service members and the allowance simply remains at zero until economic conditions warrant an increase.

While the dollar amount on a member's leave and earnings statement regarding COLA will decrease, their actual ability to purchase goods on the local economy remains the same or better because of the highly favorable exchange rate.

"With the dollar this strong compared to the yen, service members can find a lot of value buying food and household goods on the local economy," said Air Force Col. John Severns, U.S. Forces Japan Public Affairs director.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Pfc. William Kenzo Nakamura

July 13, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Pfc. William Kenzo Nakamura was a World War II hero. He received the Medal of Honor for risking his life to save his platoon during combat in Italy, July 4, 1944.

Nakamura was born in Seattle, Jan. 21, 1922, and grew up with a brother and a sister. His parents worked as barbers in Seattle after immigrating from Japan.

After graduating from Garfield High School in 1939, he attended the University of Washington.

His mother died of cancer in January 1942, two months before Japanese Americans living in the Puget Sound area were moved to relocation centers.

Nakamura and the rest of his family arrived at the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Jerome County, Idaho, Aug. 21, 1942, according to the final accountability roster from the War Relocation Authority.

His father and sister remained in the center until 1945, but Nakamura and his brother left the center for military service in July 1943.

On the day of his Medal of Honor action, Nakamura was assigned to Company G, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, in the hilly countryside near Castellina, Italy.

According to his Medal of Honor citation, his platoon became pinned down by enemy machine-gun fire from a concealed position during a firefight. On his own, he crawled 20 yards toward the hostile position with enemy machine-gun fire barely missing him.

After getting within 15 yards of the enemy, he threw four grenades, killing or wounding at least three of them. With their weapons silenced, Nakamura crawled back to his platoon, which was able to continue its advance thanks to his courageous action.

Later, his company withdrew from their position so a mortar barrage could occur. However, Nakamura remained in position to cover his comrades' withdrawal.

While moving toward the safety of a wooded area, his platoon again became pinned down by machine-gun fire. Nakamura acted quickly, crawling to a point where he could fire on the enemy. He engaged and pinned them down, allowing his platoon to withdraw safely.

Nakamura was not so lucky, he was killed during this heroic stand.

In the years after the war, only one Japanese American soldier received the Medal of Honor: Army Pfc. Sadao Munemori, who died in battle. Nakamura instead posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest military award for valor.

During the war, the approximately 14,000 Japanese American soldiers who served in the 442nd received 18,143 awards, including seven Presidential Unit Citations.

In 1996, legislation sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii led to an official review of the many Distinguished Service Crosses received by Japanese Americans for their heroics during World War II, despite the discrimination they faced at the time. The review resulted in the military upgrading 19 of the 52 Distinguished Service Crosses to Medals of Honor, as well as one Silver Star Medal.

The Medal of Honor was awarded to several Japanese American soldiers assigned to the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during a June 21, 2000, White House ceremony.

June Oshima, Nakamura's sister, was at the ceremony to accept the medal on his behalf from President Bill Clinton.

She gave an interview to the Longview Daily News newspaper, which was published in the May 29, 2000, issue.

They, Nakamura and his brother, "thought if they joined, they could get rid of the prejudice," she said. "They wanted to show that Japanese Americans were not the enemy. It makes me sad to think of it."

Decades since Nakamura's brave actions, tributes have continued. In 2000, Congress voted unanimously to pass legislation officially naming the Seattle federal courthouse the William Kenzo Nakamura United States Courthouse. There's also a memorial for him at the University of Washington.

Nakamura is buried at Evergreen Washelli Memorial Park in Seattle.