Department of War Establishes Force Agility and Streamlining Team to Cut Bureaucracy, Prioritize Warfighters

Sept. 25, 2026 |

The Department of War today announced the establishment of the Force Agility and Streamlining Team (FAST) within the office of the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, creating an enduring Department-wide mechanism to identify waste, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, and ensure resources are aligned with the Department's highest warfighting priorities.

Established at the direction of Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg and reporting to Under Secretary of War - Comptroller / Chief Financial Officer Jules W. Hurst III, FAST will lead efforts to identify duplicative programs, unnecessary administrative processes, inefficient spending, and organizational structures that no longer contribute to the Department's mission.

The team will work closely with the Military Departments, the Joint Staff, Defense Agencies and Field Activities, and other Department leaders to recommend opportunities to eliminate, realign, consolidate, or modify programs and processes. FAST will also promote greater cost awareness across the defense enterprise and help institutionalize a more agile, accountable approach to managing taxpayer resources.

"Every dollar we spend should make our military stronger, more ready, and more lethal, which is why good stewardship is not separate from warfighting. For too long, layers of bureaucracy and outdated processes have consumed time and resources that belong with our warfighters. Through FAST, the Department is establishing a disciplined mechanism to challenge the way we do business, identify where taxpayer dollars are not producing sufficient value, and act on those findings," said Under Secretary of War - Comptroller / Chief Financial Officer Hurst. "Under the Secretary of War's leadership, we will work tirelessly to reduce unnecessary overhead, improve accountability, and put resources where they matter most — building the force we need to deter our enemies and win our Nation's wars."

FAST will provide recommendations to Department leadership as part of the Department's continuing effort to strengthen fiscal accountability, modernize business practices, and ensure every taxpayer dollar contributes to a more ready and lethal force.

"Success will be measured by results, not by another layer of process," Hon. Hurst said. "If a program is duplicative, we should eliminate it. If a process can be streamlined, we should streamline it. And if resources can be put to better use supporting the warfighter, we have an obligation to make that happen."

U.S., Indian Army Snipers Train on Long-Range Marksmanship

Sept. 25, 2026 | By Army Maj. Ian Roth, 11th Airborne Division |

U.S. and Indian Army snipers trained on the sniper firing range Sept. 22, near Auli, India, during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026, engaging targets out to 580 meters with the Indian Army's Sako TRG rifle chambered in the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.

Sniper teams paired U.S. and Indian Army soldiers together throughout the training, which began with basic zeroing of the rifle before progressing to shots ranging from 500 to 580 meters in wooded terrain, followed by additional engagements around 520 meters on flatter ground, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Dylan Tinkey, recon platoon sergeant assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

Tinkey said he is familiar with the Indian rifle after completing a 25-day subject-matter expert exchange earlier this year at the Indian Army Sniper School in Mhow, India.

"I really do love the rifle," Tinkey said. "If you compare it to the Mark 22, it's very similar. We can change the barrel on our Mark 22, and it's also chambered in .338 Lapua."

Tinkey said he is working to have soldiers in his sniper section lead more of the instruction themselves rather than relying solely on his experience in Mhow.

"What I'm striving to do is have guys in the sniper section do more of the teaching," Tinkey said. "I had a younger guy with me, a specialist, who's punching a little above his weight. I had him come to the sniper school with me, so he's familiar with the rifle, and I want to see him teach it more, so he can develop himself and his juniors. If I have to step in, I absolutely will."

Tinkey said the shooter-spotter process translated easily between the two armies, with only minor communication differences.

"It's pretty universal as far as corrections," Tinkey said. "We use mil corrections, and the communication is pretty much the same. Just minor differences."

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies. The exercise is scheduled to conclude Sept. 27, with a formal closing ceremony.

Since 2004, Yudh Abhyas, an Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise with the Indian Army, has enhanced combined interoperability and strengthened the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Air Force Reservist Leads Joint Team During NATO Pentathlon in Romania

Sept. 25, 2026 | By Elizabeth Easterling, 919th Special Operations Wing |

An Air Force Reservist helped lead a joint three-member U.S. military team to a third-place finish in the novice division at the 2026 International Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition in Bucharest, Romania.

Air Force Lt. Col. Lance Speed was part of an elite contingent of 18 American reserve service members representing the Air Force Reserve Command and Army Reserve Command, who competed against 37 teams of 119 competitors from 14 NATO member states.

The military pentathlon tested participants across five demanding combat disciplines: combat marksmanship, a land obstacle course, a water obstacle course, utility hand grenade throwing accuracy and a military orientation march. 

To prepare for the high-intensity event, Speed completed a 15-day overseas mission that began with a week of intensive interoperability training alongside Greek partners at the Hellenic Army Academy in Athens, Greece. The team then traveled to Romania for two days of weapons familiarization on foreign defense platforms, including live-fire training with the AK-47 rifle and the TT-30 pistol.

Speed, who is assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing, said his background as an air advisor gave him a strong appreciation for building relationships with international partners. He was drawn to the event's professional development and unique allied environment.

"I was interested in the opportunity to challenge myself, develop professionally and learn alongside competitors from other organizations and nations," Speed said. "This competition is a great chance to strengthen those connections, exchange perspectives and learn from our partners."

Competing on a joint team alongside one fellow Air Force Reservist and one Army Reservist, Speed's team showcased outstanding tactical capability by placing in the top four in five of the competition's seven scored categories. The joint team ultimately secured the highest novice team shooting score, the highest novice precision hand grenade score and logged the third-fastest water obstacle course transit time in their division. His standout achievements earned high praise back home from his leaders at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

"Lance is a great representative of the quality of people we have in our squadron," said Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Hurley, Speed's squadron commander. "His professionalism and discipline are evident in both his commitment to physical fitness and his day-to-day work. His results in Romania come as no surprise to those of us who work with him, and I am proud of how he represented the wing."

Speed said the team's joint nature was one of the most rewarding aspects of the mission.

"I really enjoyed working with our Air Force and Army Reserve counterparts and learning from the broad range of civilian and military backgrounds represented on the team," he said. "It was great to step outside the environment at [Eglin's] Duke Field and share the experience with teammates from across the joint force. Just as relationships with our international partners contribute to success, connections and mutual understanding within the joint environment [are] invaluable."

Ultimately, representing the citizen air commandos of the 919th Special Operations Wing and the nation on an international stage was a responsibility Speed did not take lightly.

"It is a meaningful responsibility and such a privilege," he said. "I am mindful that many people from the 919th Special Operations Wing have represented the organization before me and helped establish its strong reputation. I see it as an opportunity to represent the professionalism, preparation and commitment of the people and organizations I work with. It is also an opportunity to represent Team USA in a positive way, building friendships with our international partners and connecting on a personal level outside of an operational environment."

Idaho Army National Guard Conducts 3 Search, Rescue Missions in 3 Days

Sept. 24, 2026 | By Maj. Robert Taylor, Idaho Army National Guard |

The Idaho Army National Guard conducted three successful search-and-rescue missions in three days beginning Sept. 16, assisting local search-and-rescue agencies with rescues in remote parts of Ada and Custer counties in Idaho. 

"Whether our soldiers are serving overseas in support of combat operations or responding to an emergency here at home, the Idaho National Guard is trained to operate in some of the most challenging environments imaginable," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan, adjutant general of Idaho.

On the evening of Sept. 18, an Idaho Army National Guard flight crew assisted Custer County authorities in rescuing a husband and wife who each suffered broken bones while hiking near Challis, Idaho. The crew hoisted both hikers into the rescue helicopter and transported them to the Challis Airport. They were transferred for further medical care. 

The previous day, Sept. 17, an Idaho Army National Guard flight crew assisted Custer County Search and Rescue with the rescue of a 77-year-old man who suffered a broken leg near Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho. The crew hoisted the man into the rescue helicopter and transported him to the Stanley Airport in Stanley, Idaho, where an ambulance was waiting to take him for further medical treatment.

On Sept. 16, the Idaho Army National Guard assisted Boise County Search and Rescue and Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue in rescuing a 59-year-old mountain biker near Dead Dog Creek in Ada County. The man had become lost in the Boise National Forest, Idaho, and had not been heard from since Sept. 13. He was dehydrated, and medics were unable to establish an intravenous line. The flight crew hoisted the man into the rescue helicopter and transported him to civilian medical care for further treatment. 

The Idaho Army National Guard's HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters provide search-and-rescue agencies throughout Idaho with unique capabilities. The aircraft have powerful engines that allow crews to operate at high elevations and hoists that can rescue people from rugged, inaccessible terrain. In addition, the Idaho Army National Guard operates the only helicopters in Idaho with this hoist capability. 

"Our unique dual mission makes us exceptionally capable when Idahoans need help," Donnellan said. "These crews bring the same professionalism, training and readiness to a mountain rescue that they bring to missions anywhere in the world." 

The missions brought the Idaho Army National Guard's total number of search-and-rescue missions this year to 11.

America's Contingency Corps Trains Against Drone Threat, Prepares for Future Battlefields

Sept. 22, 2026 | By Courtesy XVIII Airborne Corps |

The character of warfare is changing, and the growing use of unmanned aircraft systems on battlefields around the world is forcing militaries to adapt faster than ever. 

 
At Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the XVIII Airborne Corps is taking on that challenge through Exercise Scarlet Dragon, which brings soldiers and industry partners together to test emerging technologies in realistic field conditions. The exercise helped evaluate which capabilities can integrate across the force, including systems designed to detect, track and defeat unmanned aircraft threats. 
 
"The Scarlet Dragon exercise has become a validation exercise in the dirt with soldiers doing integrated, real-world, operational-type tasks," said Army Col. Tom Monahan, director of the XVIII Airborne Corps' Joint Innovation Outpost. 
 
Held Sept. 11-17 at Fort Bragg, the exercise combined soldiers, military systems, artificial intelligence, resilient data pathways and industry partners to address one of the Army's most pressing challenges: integrating sensors, electronic warfare, command and control and defensive fires against evolving unmanned aircraft threats. 
 
"Basically, [it was] transitioning gaps to capability requirements that we need, capabilities that will fill the gaps, and then running them through the exercise and the experimentation to come away with our findings to support the warfighter," said Army Col. Paul Staeheli, the XVIII Airborne Corps operations officer. 

 
Rather than testing technology in isolation, Scarlet Dragon placed emerging capabilities in an austere field environment where soldiers could evaluate performance against realistic threats and operational problems. 
 
It also replicated tactics and capabilities soldiers could encounter on a future battlefield, including large-scale drone swarms and systems modeled after threats seen in current conflicts. Some scenarios featured swarms of up to 100 unmanned aircraft, giving soldiers the opportunity to train against the scale and complexity of modern drone attacks. 
 
That threat environment allowed the XVIII Airborne Corps to evaluate not only individual systems but also how different capabilities work together. 
 
"What we've found is that there's no one sensor to rule them all," said Army Col. Rob Kenny, the XVIII Airborne Corps chief of fires. "It takes an integrated, layered approach."  

Kenny said the company node is determining how quickly soldiers can sense the threat and pass that information back in time to act. 
 
Electronic warfare, sensors, radar, autonomous systems and defensive fires each provide different tools for detecting, identifying and defeating unmanned aircraft. Integrating those capabilities is critical as adversaries continue to evolve their use of drones. 
 
Scarlet Dragon also demonstrated how the Army can work with industry to develop and integrate new technologies faster. 
 
Leading-edge technology companies worked alongside soldiers to identify operational problems, test potential solutions and gather feedback directly from the field. The partnership gave developers firsthand insight into how their systems perform in realistic military environments, while giving soldiers a chance to shape the technologies they may eventually use. 
 
"The vendors out here are different contractors with different companies trying to show the limitations and capabilities of all their systems," said Army Staff Sgt. Charles Johnson, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the company node. "They're giving the full scope of what their systems can do and how it can help us in the best way possible." 
 
The effort extends beyond developing new equipment. The exercise examined the broader counter-UAS challenge, from passive detection technologies, such as acoustic sensors and portable radar, to autonomous systems and emerging capabilities designed specifically for the UAS fight. 
 
That approach reflects the XVIII Airborne Corps' broader responsibility as America's Contingency Corps. 

 
The exercise also reinforced a larger message about modernization: preparing for the future battlefield requires more than buying new equipment. It requires understanding emerging threats, testing solutions under realistic conditions and rapidly adapting when those solutions fall short. 
 
Through experimentation and collaboration with industry, the XVIII Airborne Corps is working to integrate autonomous technologies with legacy systems and address a rapidly evolving unmanned aircraft threat. 
 
The goal is not simply to observe the future of warfare, but to prepare for it. 
 
As unmanned systems continue to reshape battlefields around the world, exercises such as Scarlet Dragon give the XVIII Airborne Corps an opportunity to learn, adapt and develop the capabilities soldiers will need to maintain an advantage in future conflicts.

412th Test Wing, Make-A-Wish Help Dream Come True

Sept. 24, 2026 | By Laisa Leao, 412th Test Wing |

For most military members, civilians and contractors who pass through the gates of Edwards Air Force Base, California, every day, the enthusiasm can easily become routine. The initial awe of shaping the future of American airpower is often pushed aside by tight deadlines, endless reports and daily tasks. 

However, for those on the outside, access to this historic base is the opportunity of a lifetime. 

For 18-year-old Hailey Macleod, it was the realization of a dream.

Born and raised in the Antelope Valley, Macleod grew up in the shadow of the base, attending school in nearby Lancaster, but her world was upended in 2025 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Since then, her life has been a grueling cycle of medical treatments aimed at keeping the illness at bay. 

Despite the physical toll, Macleod refused to let go of her ambition. She has been taking online classes through Arizona State University, working toward her goal of becoming a pilot. 

Macleod wished she could experience a day in the life of a pilot. To make that dream a reality, Cynthia Bryan, a wish granter at Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles, contacted the 412th Test Wing. 

Macleod and her family arrived at Edwards Air Force Base for a special mission, Sept. 11 — to make her an honorary pilot. The memorable day began with the presentation of a personalized flight suit decorated with unit patches from across the 412th Test Wing.  

She tested her piloting skills inside a high-tech flight simulator before climbing into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. 

On the ground, Macleod was promoted to the honorary rank of captain by Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, commander of the Air Force Test Center, received a commander's coin from Air Force Col. Daniel Fredberg, deputy commander of the 412th, and explored some of the base's most iconic landmarks. 

The experience offered a powerful reminder to the base workforce: what some view as just another day at work is the very dream that inspires the next generation.

Joint Navy-Marine Corps Osprey Test Advances Future Fleet Anti-Submarine Capability

Sept. 23, 2026 | By Katherine Coughlan, Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office |

A joint test team successfully executed the first lot acceptance test of sonobuoys from an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft off the coast of San Clemente Island, California, Aug. 19. 
 
The Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office, the Osprey Joint Program Office and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 conducted the milestone test. The demonstration validated the Osprey as an alternative platform for the Navy's sonobuoy quality assurance program, boosting operational readiness and laying the groundwork for expanded tactical employment across the fleet.

The Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office manages the sonobuoy quality assurance program, which subjects random production samples to over-water testing to evaluate reliability and acoustic performance before delivering vendor inventory to operational squadrons. 
 
"Our primary focus in the quality assurance program is making sure the sonobuoys delivered to the fleet perform exactly as expected," said Navy Capt. Greg Hinkle, program manager of the Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office. 
 
Historically, the Navy relies on P-3C Orion aircraft assigned to the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 to perform quality assurance drops using automated launchers. The test proves the Osprey aircraft can serve as a dependable substitute if primary test platforms are unavailable, helping prevent testing backlogs and keeping delivery schedules on track. 
 
"By utilizing the [Osprey] for this type of mission, we are reinforcing our supply chain and ensuring front line aircrews have the mission-ready stores they need to detect and track undersea threats," Hinkle said. 
 
Unlike the Orion that uses automated launch containers triggered from the cockpit, the Osprey requires aircrew to launch the buoys from the open rear cargo ramp manually. Crew chiefs removed container caps and inverted launch tubes to release the stores into the slipstream.

Because manual deployment creates longer gaps between drops than automated launchers, the evaluation squadron aircrew adjusted by reducing flight speed, to match the precise target pattern and spacing needed for acoustic testing. 
 
"From an aircrew standpoint, this event provided an invaluable opportunity for our pilots and crew chiefs to build proficiency working through the mechanics of manual sonobuoy drops in a controlled setting," said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Brandon Pope, Osprey pilot and advanced projects lead assigned to the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1. 
 
The hand-launch process requires tight coordination. The pilot holds steady flight parameters while the copilot manages navigation, timing and communication, queuing crew chiefs in the cargo bay to program and release the buoys on schedule. 
 
"Hand-launching from an open ramp requires split-second coordination; the crew must be deliberate with timing, airspeed control and internal communication," Pope said. "This test demonstrated how the [Osprey's] range, speed and versatility can support broader maritime domain awareness and distributed fleet operations." 
 
In addition to meeting test criteria, the mission also provided operational experience that will help Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 refine tactics, techniques and procedures for future tiltrotor anti-submarine warfare support. The Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office and Osprey Joint Program Office will analyze acoustic and deployment data from the flights to refine procedures for future quality assurance missions and joint fleet operations.

Last Warthog Clears Nellis Air Force Base Runway

Sept. 23, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Kristal Munguia, Nellis Air Force Base |

The last A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, made its final departure yesterday. 

Nearly 70 airmen assigned to Nellis Air Force Base lined up on the flight line to give the A-10, affectionately nicknamed the "Warthog," one final salute as it took off. 

Although the departure signifies the conclusion of nearly 50 years of elite tactical training, operational testing and maintenance sustainability at the installation, the A-10's impact will not soon be forgotten. 

The first attack jet arrived at the base in 1977. Over the past five decades, the installation served as the primary proving ground for the Warthog's tactical employment. Nellis-based units refined the aircraft's software, avionics and precision weapons, while the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's 66th Weapons Squadron trained more than 300 A-10 weapons officers across 100 classes. 

"We are maintaining the culture of the A-10 by involving as many other fighter communities involved in the close air support mission," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ridge Flick, 66th Weapons Squadron commander. "We are also training F-15 Eagle, F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots to take on some roles we have had in combat search and rescue." 

As the aircraft departs, Flick emphasized that the squadron's mission to forge elite tactical leaders remains unchanged. The unit will continue training the next generation of ground-based specialists, including combat rescue officers, pararescue, special tactics officers and combat controllers. 

As the Air Force retires the A-10 fleet, the military's close air support capability is not declining. Instead, foundational tactical expertise, operational roles and personnel are transitioning to multirole and advanced fighter platforms across the service. 

Airmen assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Thunder Aircraft Maintenance Unit are being reassigned to other squadrons and airframes, such as the F-35 and the F-16. The discipline that A-10 maintainers developed over 50 years of managing airframe fatigue, wing replacements and depot-level overhauls is being integrated into those newer flight line programs. 

At the same time, fifth-generation platforms like the F-35 are absorbing new close air support and combat search-and-rescue command roles into their operational profiles. The platform combines stealth features, advanced sensor suites and secure data-sharing networks to conduct precision ground-support missions in contested environments. For maintainers making the shift, the transition carries both operational and personal significance. 

"Working on the A-10 is meaningful to me because that is something that I share with my grandfather," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Eva Kehn, a weapons load crew chief assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I'm very excited to have that new chapter and bond over that again with my grandfather." 

With her reassignment to an F-35 unit at Nellis, that unique family connection will continue. Her grandfather now serves as a civilian F-35 instructor, meaning their shared professional bond will transition to a new airframe. 

"It's a bittersweet moment," said Air Force Master Sgt. Aaron Edmonds, an aircraft section chief assigned to the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "I enjoyed my time with the A-10, but I'm excited because this departure marks the closing of one chapter and the start of another."

USS Stout Departs Norfolk for Deployment Operations

Sept. 22, 2026 | By Keith Goodsell, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic |

The guided-missile destroyer USS Stout departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, yesterday, to begin deployment operations.

The warship's departure comes after months of training, maintenance and certification events.

"The crew of [the] USS Stout trained relentlessly to ensure our warship is prepared to execute prompt and sustained operations," said Navy Cmdr. Kevin Taylor, the USS Stout commanding officer. "We built a culture of sustained readiness and resilience and are fully prepared to sail forward, defend our nation's interests and execute our mission at the absolute highest standard of excellence."

The USS Stout is a multimission surface combatant capable of conducting anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations. Commissioned in 1994, it is the fifth warship of the Arleigh Burke class and belongs to the class's baseline Flight I configuration. The warship is named after World War II Navy Cross recipient Navy Rear Adm. Herald F. Stout, who heroically commanded the destroyer USS Claxton during the Battle of Bougainville in the Pacific.

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, is responsible for manning, training and equipping assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable and combat-ready force to support U.S. national interests. 

Mental Grit Propels Champions at 2026 Air Force Marathon

Sept. 21, 2026 | By Megan Purves, 88th Air Base Wing |

Every mile of a race is a physical negotiation — a stark reminder that while the human body has limits, the mind can be trained to push past them. 

More than 9,000 people across 50 states registered for the 2026 Air Force Marathon, testing their mental and physical endurance across several race categories Sept. 18-19. Races took place at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and outside of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. 

Leading the charge were full marathon champions Space Force 1st Lt. Nicholas McKenzie, assigned to Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, with a time of 2:34:31, and Kayla Rice, a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base employee, with a time of 2:56:39. 

"I'm ecstatic — it's a great day with super energy out on the course and beautiful weather," McKenzie said. "This is my second time running the Air Force Marathon, and I'm super grateful for all the volunteers, the support and all the other runners out here getting it done today."

However, for McKenzie, the mental turning point came during the race's most solemn stretch. 

"Around mile 21, it definitely starts to get hard. But running and seeing the tributes to our fallen service members was emotional and heartwarming. It really helped me stay motivated to get to the end," he said. "Seeing that helps you realize the ultimate sacrifice they gave, and it motivated me to dig a little deeper."

For Rice, crossing the finish line as the women's champion marked the culmination of years of dedicated training right on her home base at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. 

"I feel incredible. This has been a goal I've been working toward for the past few years, and it's great to finally achieve it," Rice said. "This is my fourth time running it, so every year it's been my goal to just get a little bit faster and eventually get where I am today. It was a big personal record for me, and getting to see all my friends, family, coworkers and teammates out on the course was amazing."

Sharing the spotlight were half-marathon champions Simon Heys, a civilian runner at 1:05:45, and Air Force 2nd Lt. Allyson Peterson, assigned to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, with a time of 1:19:10. 

For Heys, pushing through the half-marathon course was a personal way to show gratitude for military service members. 

"It was special," Heys said. "I really wanted to come here and just run as hard as I could. I wanted to put the grind out there, like the men and women who fight for this country do every day."

Peterson, competing in her first half marathon, relied on strategic pacing and late-race momentum to win. 

"I've been looking forward to this race," she said. "I had a great group of guys to chase coming down for the last like 6 miles. So, I was just focusing on closing that gap."

Beyond individual determination on the course, Air Force leaders underscored how physical discipline and community support directly reinforce the strength and readiness of the joint force. 

"If I have one message for you today, thank you for showing up to do hard things," said Matthew L. Lohmeier, Air Force undersecretary. "Thank you for working together as a community, both to support the 30th Air Force Marathon and to make the Department of the Air Force and the entire joint force a better place to work, a more lethal, ready force. And thank you for taking care of yourselves to be a part of our ready force."

As the cheers from the finish line festival filled the air and the champions took their places at the awards ceremony, the legacy of the 2026 race extended beyond the trophy stands. For the thousands who crossed the finish line, the race was more than an athletic showcase. It was a masterclass in mental readiness, proving that when the mission demands endurance, disciplined preparation always carries you through. 

Here's a look at the top three men's and women's finishers in the full marathon and half marathon: 

Unofficial times according to RacePenguin, the Air Force Marathon's race tracker: 

• Men's Full Marathon — first: Nick McKenzie 2:34:31; second: Hunter Boyer 2:40:01; third: Jack Walker 2:41:24 
• Women's Full Marathon — first: Kayla Rice 2:56:39; second: Lindsay Babish 3:09:12; third: Kristen Petrosky 3:14:06 
• Men's Half Marathon — first: Simon Heys 1:05:45; second: Peter Allegre 1:11:01; third: Patrick Konecny 1:11:13 
• Women's Half Marathon — first: Allyson Peterson 1:19:10; second: Kelsi Harris 1:24:52; third: Corinne Yorkman 1:26:26 

Military Spouse Commission Holds First Meeting, Identifies Top Issues

Sept. 21, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

The Military Spouse Commission held its first meeting today at the White House. 

The commission, which President Donald J. Trump established via executive order Aug. 3, is tasked with advising and assisting the president on policies that affect military spouses and families.

 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who attended the meeting as a guest, spoke briefly to the roughly 20 attendees. 

“A lot of things that need to happen in our department happen with the stroke of a pen from either your husbands, at [their] level, and if not, up at the office of secretary of war level; and we are prepared to wield that pen,” Hegseth told the commission, which comprises the spouses of the War Department’s most senior military leaders.   

His wife, Jennifer Hegseth, chairs the commission and spoke about its establishment. 

“We're here to help President Trump improve the lives of America's nearly 1 million military spouses, which you all are a part of. And as you know firsthand, military spouses make a sacrifice for our nation together with the sacrifice of your warrior,” she said. 

She went on to explain that the commission will work to tackle big issues like employment, housing, education and healthcare, as well as micro issues that also need addressing. 

“Many of those solutions will be new, but some already exist and have gotten stuck in the bureaucracy — and we'll find those too,” she said. 

Jennifer Hegseth noted that some of those issues will need to be revived from past efforts to fix them, and that some solutions will require Congressional legislation.  

“We will work to find solutions to all of them, so thank you all again for being willing to serve,” she said. 

Each commission member then introduced themself and spoke about the issues that they prioritize the most. As the meeting continued, it became clear that the three most referenced issues were: healthcare, employment and housing. 

Donna Caudle, the wife of the chief of naval operations, said that as a licensed healthcare professional, she has seen firsthand and heard from countless Navy families about the challenges they face when accessing healthcare. 

“I look forward to working with the commission to help President Trump improve continuity of care and capacity, reduce appointment wait times, and close the gaps in specialty care and mental health services for our military families,” she added. 

Debbie Schiess, the wife of the chief of space operations for the Space Force, said she would love to see legislation that allows spouses who are licensed in any state to practice on federal installations.  

“This would tackle two issues at once: aiding in spouse employment and increasing our mental health providers,” she said. 

Regarding employment, Angie Perryman — who’s married to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman — explained that spousal employment is near and dear to her. 

“I've been a full-time federal employee with the Department of War for almost 20 years as a licensed clinical social worker, and I know firsthand that military spouse employment is not simply about finding a job; it's about preserving a career,” Angie Perryman said. 

She noted the importance of allowing spouses to maintain their jobs despite frequent changes of location. 

“My goal is to help make military-directed moves as close to career-neutral as possible through portable work, remote work, meaningful license, portability, and employment policies that allow spouses to build careers that move with their families,” she further explained. 

Katrina Isom, the wife of the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained that experiencing numerous moves over her husband’s nearly 40-year career has led her to focus on the quality of military housing. 

“During our time in the military, I've seen and experienced firsthand the struggles of increasing costs of housing, and the challenges of ensuring [the basic allowance for housing] meets the needs of our service members. As a member of this commission, I look forward to helping ensure that we are doing everything possible to ensure the housing needs of our military members is adequately met,” Isom said.

Following all the introductions, the secretary of war had high praise for the quality of talent among the commission members, as well as the 544 years combined of active-duty spouse experience the members share. 

“What an incredible background of human beings — Americans who gave the entirety of your lives to the whims of where the government sent your family,” he said. “And the least we can do is try to look back on that [time] and give.” 

The commission is scheduled to meet monthly at the White House.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Cpl. Luther H. Story

Sept. 21, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Cpl. Luther H. Story, an infantryman, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Korean War.

Story was born July 20, 1932, in Buena Vista, Georgia. His parents were Mark and Florence, both sharecroppers in Plains, Georgia, on land owned by James Earl Carter Sr., the father of future President Jimmy Carter. 

The family later moved to Americus, Georgia, where Story attended Americus High School. He left school during his sophomore year in 1948 when he was only 16 to enlist in the Army. His mother falsified his birthdate so he could join.  

Story completed basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and his first duty station was Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was assigned to Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

His unit departed Seattle, July 17, 1950, aboard the troop transport ship USNS General John Pope and arrived in Busan (formerly Pusan), South Korea, July 23, 1950. The Korean War had started June 25, 1950, just a month earlier.  

Pfc. Luther Story was a squad leader. On Sept. 1, 1950, the date of his Medal of Honor valorous action, his company was near Agok, a village on the Nakdong River, during the Battle of Yongsan. 

His citation notes that the 9th Infantry Regiment was attacked by three divisions of the North Korean People's Army. 

Company A fought off several banzai attacks but was bypassed and in danger of being cut off and surrounded.  

Story was heavily engaged in stopping the early attacks and had just moved his squad to a position overlooking the Nakdong River, when he observed a large number of enemy soldiers crossing the river to attack his company.  

Seizing a machine gun from his wounded gunner, he used it to kill or wound an estimated 100 enemy soldiers, according to his citation. Facing certain encirclement, the company commander ordered a withdrawal.  

During the withdrawal, Story noticed an enemy truck approaching, loaded with troops and towing an ammunition trailer. Alerting his comrades to take cover, he fearlessly stood in the middle of the road, throwing grenades into the truck.

When he ran out of grenades, he crawled to his squad, gathered additional grenades and attacked the vehicle again. The company was attacked by superior numbers and forced to deploy into a rice field. Story was wounded in this action, but, disregarding his wounds, rallied his men, who repelled the attack.  

Realizing that his wounds would hamper his comrades' movements, he refused to retire to the next position, remaining to cover the company's retreat, which was successful. When last seen, he was firing every weapon available and fighting off another hostile assault. It was assumed he died at his position. 

On June 21, 1951, General of the Army Omar Bradley presented the Medal of Honor to Story's father at the Pentagon. Story was posthumously promoted to corporal. 

For decades, Story's remains were unaccounted for. The Army issued a presumptive finding of death Sept. 1, 1953, and his remains were determined to be nonrecoverable. 

In October 1950, 11 sets of remains were recovered near Sangdepo, South Korea, and eight sets were identified. One set of remains was thought to be Story, but investigators at the Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan, did not have enough identifying data to identify him positively. Those unknown remains were later buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. 

On April 6, 2023, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Story's remains had been identified. 

To make the identification, DPAA scientists used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System scientists used mitochondrial DNA analysis obtained from relatives.

Story was buried at Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Georgia, May 29, 2023. Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden, adjutant general of the Georgia National Guard, spoke at the funeral.  

"Cpl. Story left us a legacy that we must honor and uphold if we hope to remain the most free and prosperous nation on Earth," Carden said. "Today is a physical demonstration that America never forgets its heroes."  

Story's Medal of Honor is displayed at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia, just outside the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Georgia. 

President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a ceremony April 25, 2023, at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, and met with Story's relatives. 

Joint Press Statement for the 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue

 Sept. 18, 2026 |

The U.S. Department of War (DoW) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the 29th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) on September 16-18, 2026 in Busan.

Mr. George LeMeur, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War (DASW) for East Asia, led the U.S. delegation. Deputy Minister (DEPMIN) for National Defense Policy, Dr. Kim Hong-Cheol, led the ROK delegation. Key senior U.S. and ROK defense and foreign affairs officials also participated in the dialogue.

During the meeting, both sides assessed the progress and work in implementing follow-up measures in the areas of defense cooperation within the Joint Fact Sheet between the U.S. and ROK Presidents and the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) Joint Communique last year.

Both sides evaluated the work to modernize the Alliance in the face of an evolving security environment. They also assessed progress on the Conditions-based Wartime Operational Control (OPCON) Transition Plan (COTP), and pledged to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the transition of wartime OPCON.

They visited major defense industry sites together to further bolster cooperation in areas of shipbuilding and aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities, enhancing mutual understanding on key defense issues.

The two sides pledged to maintain close and continuous consultations on matters pertinent to the security of the ROK-U.S. Alliance going forward.

Hegseth Addresses Team Who Built Sea Drone Used to Rescue Downed Apache Crew

Sept. 18, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

In early June, an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter patrolling regional waters went down off the coast of Oman, leaving two crew members in need of rescue. An autonomous surface vessel — a U.S. Navy Corsair operated by the 5th Fleet's Task Force 59 — rescued the soldiers.

The autonomous seafaring vessel — manufactured by Texas-based Saronic — picked up the crew members and transported them to another location on the water where they were then hoisted into a helicopter for further transport.

Saronic builds a variety of autonomous vehicles for the U.S. military and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the company and workforce today to see how they make hardware that enables the joint force. He thanked them for the work they are doing now and will do in the future as part of the Arsenal of Freedom tour.

"Having had a chance to tour this facility firsthand just a few moments ago, the scale, investment and precision of your projects [are] truly impressive," Hegseth told Saronic employees gathered at the company headquarters in Austin, Texas. "You are on the front lines of American industry, and that's the entire purpose of the Arsenal of Freedom tour. I had a chance to shake some hands along the assembly line ... the point ... of this tour is to look patriots in the eye and thank you for the work that you've done and for the work that you're doing."

Saronic makes three autonomous ocean-going vessels: the Corsair, the Mirage and the Marauder. Hegseth said vessels like these are destined to be at the heart of the U.S. military.

"What Saronic demonstrates is the future of American naval power, delivering over 300 combat-proven Corsairs; rapidly fueling the 52-foot Mirage and scaling blue water reach with the 180-foot Marauder, all built in under a year," he said. "In our building, we're used to timelines of seven, eight years. One year is not a thing ... I came to see and it's real. That's the kind of scale and speed that our department needs. The kind of competition our building needs, [and] the bureaucracy needs to realize that it can be done."

Warfare has always involved troops on the ground, but now it demands autonomy as well, and the War Department is leaning heavily into it with its Drone Dominance initiative. But autonomy doesn't just mean drones in the air — surface-level vehicles are also critical, he said, including those like the Corsair that rescued the Apache crew.

"Those pilots are alive today because of the incredible innovation under this very roof," he said. "You should be ... incredibly proud of that feat."

The secretary also told Saronic employees that the Corsair had done additional operational work beyond rescuing pilots.

In July, U.S. Central Command "employed the Corsair to strike a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base," he said. "The operation degraded Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial shipping and marked the first operational employment of sea drones in U.S. military combat operations."

To maintain the most powerful military in the world, Hegseth said, the War Department is reaching out to companies like Saronic and unleashing their potential to build the best equipment possible, and to do it without constraints, roadblocks or bureaucracy.

"The Department of War ... has been kicking the door wide open for commercial disruptors, nontraditional innovators and venture-backed builders; we are actively creating the next generation of defense primes, firms like Saronic," he said. "Our Arsenal of Freedom tour showcases how modern deterrence requires commercial speed."

The secretary said that under Emil Michael, undersecretary of war for research and engineering and chief technology officer for the War Department, the department has unified its innovation ecosystem under one roof to make decisions faster than past bureaucracies allowed. And with the leadership of Mike Duffey, undersecretary of war for acquisition and sustainment, the department is reforming acquisition to empower program executives and deploying multiyear procurement contracts.

Hegseth also lauded Saronic employees and executives for playing a big role in revitalizing the American shipbuilding industry. In Texas and Louisiana, he said, Saronic is building ships, creating jobs and strengthening the defense industrial base all at the same time.

"At the Port of Brownsville [in Texas], Port Alpha ... delivers a $3 billion investment, up to 10,000 high-paying jobs, over $160 billion in regional impact for Cameron County, [Texas,] and 150,000 ... gross tons of new shipbuilding capacity," he said. "This industrial muscle here will double domestic shipbuilding and ensure absolute dominance."

Saronic is also investing some $300 million in Louisiana, including at the Gulf Craft shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana, to build autonomous surface vessels.

"This effort creates over 1,500 high-paying maritime careers," Hegseth said. "Together, Franklin and New Orleans prove that combining historic craft with robotics creates an unbeatable industrial edge."

The secretary said Saronic and companies like it are the future of American shipbuilding, and at the heart of the rebirth of the American defense industrial base.

"All the strategies from the Pentagon are meaningless without the people on this floor: the technicians, the machinists, the fabricators and the engineers," he said. "Every platform you weld, wire and assemble gives our warfighters the decisive edge to win and return home. Never forget that direct line from your hands to the success of our warfighters."

The secretary implored Saronic workers to keep doing what they've been doing, and to do even more.

"Today I say to you: build faster, scale larger and deliver more," he said. "We need you like never before, because when America is unleashed, we win."

 

'We've Got Their Back,' Hegseth Tells Parents of Enlistees in Texas

Sept. 18, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

The War Department doesn't serve politicians; it serves warfighters and the nation, said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today in Austin, Texas, where he swore in new military recruits.

 

At the Austin Armed Forces Reserve Center, the secretary administered the oath of enlistment to more than a dozen young men and women joining the Texas National Guard, and then immediately after he administered the oath to more than 30 who were enlisting as federal troops across all branches of the military. 

Before administering those oaths, the secretary discussed the meaning of service and commitment. But he didn't address the recruits directly; he addressed the crowd gathered to watch, which was mostly the parents of the recruits. 

"One of the great pleasures ... for me in ceremonies like this is ... you look out at the families; you look out at mom and dad and sisters and brothers who love these Americans more than anyone else on the planet," he said. "I can see in [your faces] the fact that you're realizing that you are gifting your greatest gift to the United States military, to the War Department, and I get chills just saying that." 

Accepting that gift — America's young people — from the parents who raised them is a huge responsibility, Hegseth said. He vowed that the War Department and military services will not squander that gift.

"My commitment to you is that with our every breath that we have, [we will] ensure that they are prepared, that they are backed up, that they are trained, that they are ready, that the missions we give them are clear, the equipment we give them is the best, and the training the most difficult and rigorous," he said. 

The secretary told parents there exists a "Golden Rule" of the War Department, and that he asks commanders everywhere to apply it all the time, especially when it comes to honesty in the rigor applied to preparing troops to be the best they can be. 

"[That] is do unto your formation that which you would have done unto your son or daughter's formation," he said. "Meaning, if you're compromising a standard, or you're meeting a quota, or you're changing training to soften it or make it easier for some subset of people, would you do that if your son or daughter were in that formation, or not?" 

Families, Hegseth said, are the backbone of what creates America's warfighters — young men and women who choose to serve. And he said his role as one of those at the Pentagon is to serve those young men and women and all who choose to defend the nation.

 

"We are here at the highest echelons of the Pentagon to serve the warfighter, full stop," he said. "Not to serve politicians; [to] serve those [who] do the difficult things in dark and dangerous places." 

As a young officer in the military himself, Hegseth told parents and families what he wanted to know was that when he had difficult things to do as a warrior, that he had the support of his leaders and nation. He told those families that their sons and daughters will be asked to do difficult things and that they will have support. 

"Things will go wrong, things will break, mistakes will be made, but we need warriors, Americans, willing to step out and take the risks and do those difficult things," Hegseth said. "President [Donald J.] Trump has your back, I have your back, and I'm absolutely honored that we raise such men, that we raise such women, who are willing to do something bigger than themselves and serve."