Autonomous Surface Craft Help Patrol Panamanian Waters

Oct. 9, 2026

When Exercise Panamax 2026 concluded in mid-August, Panamanian security leaders were impressed with the performance of the Corsair unmanned surface vessels that the U.S. Navy brought along with them.

The Corsair platforms, the same type that recently rescued downed AH-64 Apache pilots off the coast of Oman, participated in the exercise alongside U.S. and partner forces. During that time, they demonstrated the potential of long-endurance uncrewed systems to support maritime security.  

For Panama, those capabilities could help expand the country's ability to monitor maritime approaches, identify suspicious activity, and respond to threats posed by illicit trafficking and regional threat networks. 

In the weeks following Panamax, the U.S. embassy and U.S. Southern Command coordinated with Panama's Ministry of Security to retain the Corsairs for a maritime security mission conducted in partnership with Panama's National Aeronaval Service. 

The effort supports Panama's ongoing work to protect its territorial waters, counter drug trafficking and other illicit activity, and strengthen security along critical maritime routes. 

It also advances the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition's objectives to improve regional coordination against cartels, narco-terrorist networks and other regional threats while respecting the sovereignty and authorities of partner nations. 

"The Corsairs are providing additional patrol craft," said Marine Corps Col. Ian Fletcher, commander of Southcom’s newly established Autonomous Warfare Command. "Their onboard radar and electro-optical sensors provide many of the enhanced detection capabilities associated with a manned patrol craft, allowing operators to maintain awareness over a larger area." 

The long-endurance craft are engineered to operate reliably without an onboard crew. The platforms can maintain a persistent patrol presence across the maritime domain, complementing Panama's existing fleet, aircraft and personnel. 

By integrating uncrewed systems with manned patrol vessels and airborne assets, Panama can expand the area it monitors and increase its potential threat assessment speed. The additional coverage can help crews distinguish routine activity from activity requiring further investigation, enabling manned assets to focus on response and interdiction missions. 

"The platforms can operate alongside manned patrol craft and provide additional information to crews at sea," Fletcher said. "That gives partner forces greater flexibility, improves efficiency, and expands the area they can monitor without requiring additional personnel aboard each vessel." 

The current mission focuses on strengthening maritime awareness and supporting partner efforts against narcotics trafficking, regional threat networks and threats associated with designated terrorist organizations. The platforms operate as a complement to — not a replacement for — Panama's maritime security forces and decision-making authorities. 

Fletcher said the effort also creates an opportunity for Panama and Southcom to assess how additional autonomous systems could support the protection of critical waterways and maritime infrastructure. 

"As we learn from these operations, we can examine where additional autonomous capabilities may increase maritime presence and awareness," he said. "That includes exploring how systems can operate safely and effectively in the canal environment." 

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to regional security: combining Panama's leadership, regional cooperation and emerging technology to counter illicit networks, strengthen maritime security, and help secure the Western Hemisphere and the reliable flow of commerce through the Panama Canal.

Legendary Fighter Takes Final Flight: Air Force Reserve Delivers F-117A to Smithsonian

Oct. 9, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexis Morris, 512th Airlift Wing |

Nearly two decades after the Air Force retired the F-117A Nighthawk, one took to the skies again, this time in the cargo hold of a C-5M Super Galaxy.  

The historic stealth aircraft will soon join the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The Air Force Reserve's 512th Airlift Wing, based at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, delivered the aircraft to the Smithsonian team Oct. 6. 

The two-day, cross-country mission required precise weight distribution and tight clearances to fit the 29,500-pound load into the C-5M's cargo compartment. For the 512th Airlift Wing, executing high-consequence, strategic airlift operations was business as usual, even when the payload was a piece of aviation history. 

"Growing up in the '90s and 2000s, I remember thinking of the F-117 as the most unique plane," said Air Force Maj. Billy Hafker, a 709th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot and the mission commander. "Being able to move it to the Smithsonian to preserve it for future generations is an incredible opportunity, and we're all honored to do it." 

Hafker said C-5 cargo missions require airmen from several career fields, including flying crew chiefs and pilots. After landing in Palmdale, California, the crew conducted pre-loading operations to stage the aircraft for cargo. Within two hours of landing, the loadmasters carefully maneuvered and secured the detached Nighthawk wings in the cargo hold, while leaving room for the fuselage. 

Loading the fuselage was delayed overnight because the mandatory number of tie-down points required a mechanical team to work through the night to fabricate and install them.   

"It was a little difficult to load in, but we got the job done," said Senior Airman Lucas Richard, a loadmaster assigned to the 709th Airlift Squadron. "This is probably one of the coolest pieces of cargo that I've ever seen."

As of January 2021, the Air Force has retained approximately 48 F-117As in its inventory and disposed of approximately four aircraft each year since grounding the fleet in April 2008. The demilitarization process to deem an aircraft worthy of museum display requires a coordinated effort between the War Department and its industry partners. 

"There's a lot of people that participate in a project like this," said Jeff Corbets, program manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, who led the restoration project. "Demilitarization was the most difficult piece, but I think it went really smoothly, all things considered." 

The aircraft earned the nickname "The Overachiever" as the only F-117A to fly in all four major conflicts in which Nighthawks served: Operations Just Cause, Desert Storm, Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom. During its 1991 participation in Iraq, it flew 1,271 sorties, achieving an 80% mission success rate while suffering no battle damage. The jet retired in 2007. 

As the historic aircraft takes its place on the museum floor for more than a million visitors each year, the mission itself serves as a victory for the 512th Airlift Wing. Beyond preserving history, the operation successfully showcased the advantage of the Air Force Reserve in action — delivering unprecedented combat capability and professionalism to the joint force.

USS Abraham Lincoln Returns to San Diego After 10-Month Combat Deployment

Oct. 9, 2026 | By Navy Chief Petty Officer Joseph Montemarano, USS Abraham Lincoln, Pentagon News |

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln departed its home port Nov. 21, 2025. In the 321 days since casting off lines from San Diego, the ship and its crew sailed across the Pacific Ocean, through the San Bernardino Strait, Surigao Strait and Strait of Malacca, and into the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.

The ship steamed more than 93,000 nautical miles, conducted 72 replenishments-at-sea and received more than 20.5 million gallons of aviation fuel during the operations. The Lincoln's crew also supported more than 13,000 aviation sorties from Carrier Air Wing 9 aircraft, totaling 28,500 flight hours.

"[The] USS Abraham Lincoln and the entire carrier strike group team set a new standard of excellence through their extraordinary conduct during this historic deployment," said Navy Rear Adm. Robert Loughran, Carrier Strike Group 3 commander. "I am incredibly proud of each and every sailor, Marine and member of this team for what they have accomplished under the most demanding conditions. Their professionalism, resilience and combat effectiveness have been unmatched. We now look forward with great excitement to their well-earned reunion with family and loved ones."

After arriving in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in late January, the carrier and its strike group, Carrier Strike Group 3, spearheaded the Navy's involvement in Operation Epic Fury, taking the lead role on the southern Iranian coast as Commander, Task Force 50. 

The strike group, with the Lincoln at its center, supported 40 days of major combat operations, involving nearly 4,000 combat sorties from the air wing. Task force units destroyed more than 100 Iranian drone, missile and small boat attacks against the force, with the wing delivering more than 1.5 million pounds of ordnance on thousands of targets in support of operational objectives. This concentrated firepower significantly degraded Iranian navy capabilities.

Following the April 8 ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, the strike group shifted gears, leveraging its skill and expertise toward enforcing a maritime blockade. The strike group's ironclad blockade against Iranian-flagged vessels in the northern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman denied the flow of Iranian oil and material, ensuring U.S. leaders could engage in diplomatic negotiations from a position of strength.

"Conducting major combat operations, enforcing two naval blockades, and demonstrating our presence and power projection capabilities in multiple numbered fleets, all while keeping an unprecedented operational tempo for a long period of time, is truly remarkable, and demonstrates the strength and resilience of the 5,000 sailors and Marines across this strike group," said Navy Capt. Dan Keeler, USS Abraham Lincoln commanding officer. "This team is literally rewriting the book of what an aircraft carrier is capable of, and it has been awe-inspiring to watch them grow as a team through this historic deployment."

In response to Iran's attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in July, the Lincoln and air wing supported strikes against Iran's coastal defense systems, cruise missile storage and launch sites. The strike group then bolstered the second naval blockade of Iranian shipping and ports until departing the Centcom area of responsibility, Aug. 22, to begin its return transit home.

The Lincoln completed brief, overnight stops for supplies in Guam in December 2025 and just last month, as well as in Duqm, Oman, in July. The ship also conducted a port call in Pattaya, Thailand, last month. The ship's 208 uninterrupted days at sea between Guam and Oman, and its 286 consecutive days at sea between departing San Diego and arriving in Thailand, are record-breaking marks for modern aircraft carriers.

"I could not be prouder of the group of sailors and Marines aboard this mighty warship for everything they have accomplished the last 10 1/2 months," Keeler said. "We asked a lot of these warfighters, and every time, they rose to the occasion, achieving the mission with pride, professionalism and expertise."

USS Lincoln Leadership Sets Record Straight on Quality-of-Life Concerns

Oct. 8, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

The commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln addressed concerns about quality-of-life issues for the crew during the ship's record-setting, 322-day deployment while speaking at a press conference today, shortly after the ship arrived at Naval Air Station North Island, California.

When asked about alleged complaints concerning a lack of food, potable water and functioning plumbing aboard the Lincoln that were amplified by the media this past summer, Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler said the closest the crew came to such conditions actually occurred earlier in the spring, when the ship's strike group was conducting active combat operations off the coast of Iran in support of Operation Epic Fury. 

"Almost all of those things occurred, I would say, in March — March and April — while we were engaged in active combat operations against a very determined foe. At the time, we did — I think — a very good job explaining to the crew why we were going to be maybe running a little bit thin on some supplies for a while," Keeler said, adding that, despite combat conditions making logistics more complicated, the Lincoln absolutely had enough food on board. 

"I had all the supplies I needed to conduct combat," he said. "We never missed a mission. … We served four meals a day: 14,000 to 16,000 a day to the entire crew." 

Regarding the ship's plumbing, Keeler said disruptions of service are just part of life on a multibillion-dollar aircraft carrier. 

"It's a big, floating city; you can see how large it is. At any one moment, there might be a clogged toilet. It happens," Keeler said. 

He added that the ship is stocked with a number of trained sailors who can fix such inconveniences, and that when things were broken, they were repaired.  

"And I would say, in my experience, everything that we went through is in the normal spectrum of what you might expect and see on an aircraft carrier, and it's even more remarkable because that was in combat," Keeler said.

When asked about what lessons were learned regarding the logistics of resupplying a carrier strike group during a time of combat, Navy Rear Adm. Robert E. Loughran — the Carrier Strike Group 3 commander, which the Lincoln belongs to — said that Operation Epic Fury helped the Navy learn about delivering supplies directly to deployed forces in regions like the Middle East, rather than ordering supplies to individual ships "as needed." 

"I'll tell you that what was impressive about this, was that we pivoted when we kicked off combat to a much more extended supply chain, and not only were we extending our supply lines, but we were increasing rapidly the number of forces in theater — and every single ship that was deployed over there met mission while we were continuing to adjust our game plan for how we provide logistics," he explained. 

The Lincoln's return home, after leaving Nov. 21, 2025, came one day after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth flew aboard the ship to thank the carrier and its entire strike group for all of the successful — though taxing — operations it executed in support of Operation Epic Fury.  

"I draw inspiration from the mission that you executed so successfully. You have changed the arc of history: ensuring that crazy people — theocrats — never get a nuclear weapon," he said. "And it's because of what this strike group has done, and [what] other great Americans are still doing now."

Army Reserve Unit Supports Local Junior ROTC Raider Challenge

Oct. 8, 2026 | By Army Capt. Robert Smith, 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command |

Mud, sweat and chants of esprit de corps filled the air at Northwest High School in Wichita, Kansas, Oct. 1, 2026, as the next generation of military leaders were put to the test.  

Junior ROTC cadets from eight high schools across the area converged for the annual City League Raider Challenge, a grueling competition of physical strength and mental fortitude. Providing support and encouragement throughout the event, and often right in the thick of the action, were soldiers assigned to the Army Reserve's 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

The Raider Challenge pushed 11 teams of cadets to their limits with a demanding series of events, including a rope bridge, a mile team run and an obstacle course. Cadets traversed walls, navigated rope obstacles and powered through a muddy low crawl, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and grit. 

"There was a lot of motivation out there," said Army Maj. Chris Cooper, command inspector general, who served as a grader on the obstacle course. "They really liked getting in the mud. I thought they'd all be hesitant, but they dove right in and showed a lot of encouragement towards one another."

Soldiers assigned to the 451st ESC, a Wichita-based Army Reserve unit, volunteered their time to help score and mentor the cadets throughout the competition. Their presence provided more than logistical support; it offered the students a direct link to service members living in their own community. 

"It's important for them to see a representation of what being a service member looks like and to know that we are out here supporting our community," said Army Master Sgt. Brian Michael Poe Jr., command assistant inspector general. "If they are curious about the military after high school, they can pick our brains a bit." 

Their presence is a cornerstone of the Army Reserve's identity as "twice the citizen" —soldiers who serve the nation while living and working as civilians in their local communities. For the command, participating in events like the Raider Challenge is a direct investment in the future of Wichita.

"This is the youth, this is the future," explained Army Sgt. 1st Class Lewis Nicholson, an operations noncommissioned officer with the unit and a former high school Junior ROTC cadet. "By getting ourselves involved with the high school and the JROTC program, it's another way to give back." 

The sentiment was echoed by retired Army Lt. Col. Bob Bystrek, senior Army instructor for the Northwest High School Junior ROTC program and a former member of the 451st ESC. 

"Today is where months of training and dedication come to fruition for these cadets and seeing that hard work pay off is incredibly gratifying," Bystrek said. "A huge thank you to the team at the 451st ESC for coming out and helping us." 

As the final teams crossed the finish line, it was clear the event was more than just a competition. It was a powerful demonstration of community, mentorship and the enduring bond between the city of Wichita and the citizen-soldiers of the sustainment command.

DPAA Identifies Record Number of Missing Service Members

Oct. 8, 2026 | By Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency |

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains of 250 service members missing from past conflicts in fiscal year 2026, surpassing its previous record of 231 set last year.  

The last identification was Army Capt. Albert P. Wilcox from California. He was a prisoner of war in the Philippines during World War II and was killed when the Japanese transport ship Enoura Maru was mistakenly sunk in 1945.

Wilcox's remains were recovered after the war but couldn't be identified. He was buried and marked as unknown at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.  

In 2022, DPAA began the Enoura Maru Project to find unidentified remains associated with the ship and transfer them to its Hawaii laboratory for identification.  

Wilcox's remains will be returned to his family, who will decide his final resting place.  

"The United States of America is resolved to never forget the warriors who answered the call to duty, made the supreme sacrifice and never came home," said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. "Through DPAA's determined efforts, all 250 of these heroes will finally be home." 

DPAA searches for, recovers and identifies Americans missing from past conflicts. These 250 accounted-for service members include 198 from World War II, 51 from the Korean War and one from the Vietnam War. Distributed among the branches of service, the identified service members are: 136 Army, 76 Army Air Forces, 20 Navy, 15 Marine Corps, one Air Force and two federal civilians. 

Every unaccounted-for service member or department civilian/contractor is entitled to one certainty: that he or she will not be forgotten. Operating in 54 countries around the world, the military and civilian professionals of DPAA are steadfastly committed to providing the fullest possible accounting of Americans missing from past conflicts to their families and the nation. 

"This is a deeply personal priority for me," said Anthony J. Tata, undersecretary of war for personnel and readiness. "The Department of War will not rest in its efforts to bring home our unaccounted-for service members and provide the fullest possible accounting of all mission personnel."

Army Command Holds Mercury Rising Event to Strengthen Readiness

Oct. 7, 2026 | By Army Sgt. George Mattison, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command |

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command's Headquarters and Headquarters Company took part in the first "Mercury Rising" event of the new fiscal year at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Oct. 2. 

Led by Army Capt. Ara L. Gahan, the company commander, and Army 1st Sgt. Ruben Chavez, the event combined physical training and professional development aimed to strengthen readiness, cohesion and individual accountability. 

"Mercury Rising/payday activities strengthen readiness by combining physical training, professional development, mandatory training and barracks inspections to reinforce standards, discipline and individual accountability," Gahan said. "Conducting these events together also builds camaraderie and unit cohesion by creating regular opportunities for soldiers to train, communicate and maintain pride in their appearance, living areas and organization."

Mercury Rising is the command's approach to traditional payday activities, combining physical training, professional development, mandatory training and barracks inspections. 

Soldiers began with a physical training circuit designed to support the Army Fitness Test. They then competed in a timed team race carrying a 365-pound sandbag. 

The day also included professional development sessions for leaders covering suicide awareness and prevention, the sexual harassment and assault response and prevention and equal opportunity. In small groups, soldiers discussed their responsibilities for maintaining a professional, supportive environment. 

The physical challenge and professional development combination reflects the Army's focus on preparing soldiers to meet changing demands such as performing under pressure. Shared training and communication help build trust among teammates. Professional discussions reinforce knowledge and standards needed for disciplined, effective organization.

The program also provides a recurring opportunity for leaders and soldiers to connect outside their daily duties. Unit leadership said the event supports the command's efforts to build the Army of 2030 through greater resiliency, adaptability and lethality. By bringing soldiers together to train, learn and uphold unit standards, Mercury Rising contributes to the preparedness and unity needed for the force to respond to future challenges.

Florida National Guard Advances Battlefield Capabilities During Drone Crucible

Oct. 7, 2026 | By Air Force Capt. Brittianie Funderburk, Florida National Guard Public Affairs |

The future of military operations increasingly depends on the ability to see, understand and act faster with greater precision. During Exercise Drone Crucible 26.3 at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida, Sept. 26-Oct. 2, the Florida National Guard put that principle into practice by integrating unmanned aircraft systems, communications technology and situational awareness integration capabilities to give commanders a more complete picture of the battlefield.

The U.S. National Drone Association hosted the event alongside the Florida National Guard and in concert with the War Department. Participants included personnel assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group; the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Florida National Guard; Navy SEAL Teams 10 and 7; the 2nd Marine Division; and U.S. Marine Forces Special Operations Command. 

The exercise tested unmanned systems and operational information sharing among military units and mission partners. Industry partners provided a secure platform that connected tactical users and enabled data sharing, supporting the Florida National Guard's integration with the National Guard Bureau and U.S. Northern Command's Homeland Tactical Assault Kit architecture.

The Florida National Guard's Situational Awareness Integration Team supported the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, during the exercise by integrating assault kit data and available video feeds into a common operating picture for the joint operations center. The kit allowed personnel in the field to share locations, threats and mission information, contributing to a more comprehensive operating picture.

During Drone Crucible 26.3, the Florida National Guard worked with Northcom and Joint Task Force National Capital Region to share kit data, unmanned aircraft telemetry and full-motion video. The effort connected the field activity with higher-level commands and demonstrated the potential to improve shared situational awareness.

The effort was designed to reduce the time between detection and decision-making during tactical lanes by bringing information from multiple systems and sources together in a way that supported commanders and operational teams.

"This exercise is giving us an opportunity to demonstrate how technology, innovation and strong partnerships can enhance the way we operate," said Army Maj. Gen. Robert Carruthers, Florida Army National Guard commander. "By integrating unmanned systems and our latest situational awareness and mission command software together, we are eliminating stovepipe systems, reducing multiple devices and air-gapping of information while providing commanders with a clearer, fused operational picture that enables faster, better-informed decisions."

The integration team provisioned about 82 assault kits and personal devices to the Florida National Guard server. At the same time, the operations center used eight video feeds to maintain situational awareness across the exercise.

During that time, the guard successfully shared assault kit position location information, operational overlays and full-motion video from unmanned systems with Northcom. The feeds included data from both unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aircraft systems.

"What we are building here has great value well beyond this exercise. Our goal is to develop a scalable capability that strengthens interoperability, speeds our kill chain, increases our situational awareness, and improves our ability to fight and win on a rapidly evolving battlefield," Carruthers said.

The integration allowed Northcom in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and JTF-NCR in the Washington area to remotely view information generated during the exercise. The team ultimately demonstrated the capability at the combatant command level.

The team also supported the integration of multiple other teams through a modernization cell, while subject matter experts specializing in unmanned systems and tactical assault kits provided technical expertise and rapid user support. That structure brought together personnel from the National Guard and industry partners, creating an environment where service members could rapidly collaborate, troubleshoot and refine the technology while conducting the exercise.

"We're taking emerging technologies and putting them to the test — validating the technology while also refining our standard operating procedures," said a special operator assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group. "It's about bringing the networks, hardware and software together, making sure those systems can communicate and determining how they support both our domestic and federal missions. It also gives us an opportunity to connect and operate with other states, units and government agencies."

For the Florida National Guard, the significance of Drone Crucible 26.3 extends farther than the technology being tested.

"Beyond this exercise, the Florida National Guard team sees an opportunity to integrate this capability more broadly with conventional forces and partner agencies," said Army 1st Lt. Lisa Casares, Florida National Guard situational awareness integrator.

"Having dedicated subject matter experts for each system has been critical to maintaining the common operating picture and resolving issues quickly," she said. "Continued support from these experts will help the Florida National Guard sustain this capability and build a situational awareness framework that can scale beyond a single exercise."

As unmanned systems and other emerging technologies continue to shape military operations, the ability to integrate information rapidly and provide commanders with a common operating picture is becoming increasingly important to how forces train, coordinate and respond.

"This exercise demonstrated how integrated unmanned systems strengthen soldiers on the battlefield," said Army Col. Todd Hopkins, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center commander. "They do not replace soldiers — they extend their reach, awareness, protection and precision to help them move, fight and win."

Navy Commissions USS Ted Stevens, Honoring Senator's Defense Advocacy

Oct. 5, 2026 | By Navy Ensign Dylan Barron, Commander, U.S. Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet |

The Navy commissioned its newest destroyer, the USS Ted Stevens, into active service during a formal ceremony in Whittier, Alaska, Oct. 3.

The commissioning marks an immediate, decisive leap in naval warfighting readiness and surface fleet lethality. As the second Flight III destroyer, the ship provides combatant commanders with unmatched integrated air and missile defense capabilities, directly supporting War Department priorities to enforce maritime dominance, secure contested sea lanes and project credible deterrence worldwide. 

The ship and its commissioning location honor the legacy of the late Sen. Ted Stevens, a decorated combat aviator and lifelong champion for the state of Alaska and the nation's armed forces. Selecting the strategic deep-water port of Whittier highlights Alaska's enduring maritime significance and the historic partnership between the state and the Navy.

"Woosh-Jee-een" is a phrase in the southeast Alaskan indigenous language Tlingit meaning "working together" or "pulling together," reflecting the spirit of partnership between the Navy, the Stevens family, the crew and the people of Alaska. 

Stevens served as an Army Air Forces pilot during World War II, flying hazardous transport missions over "The Hump" in the China-Burma-India theater, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. After the war, he played an instrumental role in securing Alaska's statehood in 1959.  

During four decades in the U.S. Senate, from 1968 to 2009, he served as president pro tempore and president pro tempore emeritus, dedicating his career to modernizing the armed forces, bolstering national security, and ensuring warfighters were equipped to fight and win.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao highlighted the significance of the crew's role in bringing the ship to life as it began its commissioned service. 

"[The] USS Ted Stevens is no longer preparing to join the fleet. Today, Ted Stevens is the fleet," Cao said. "Today, [the] USS Ted Stevens stands ready to defend the homeland, deter aggression, and when called upon, fight and win." 

During the ceremony, the ship's sponsors, Catherine Ann Stevens, the late senator's wife, and his daughters, Susan Stevens Covich and Lily Stevens Becker, gave the traditional naval order: "Man our ship and bring her to life!"  

At that command, the commissioning crew ran aboard to man the rails, set the first watch and bring the warship's advanced combat systems to full operational status. 

"I am deeply honored and proud to be your sponsor, along with my mother and sister," Becker said. "As you wake up every day, know that we and every person here believe in you to take care of this ship, take care of each other, and to uphold the peace and safety of our nation." 

The ship's motto, "Lead with Courage," serves as an operational mandate that reflects Stevens' wartime bravery and channels it into the aggressive combat posture required of today's surface warriors.

"To my crew, my shipmates, the men and women who are the heart and soul of this great ship, you have exceeded all expectations," said Navy Capt. Mary Katey Hayes, the USS Ted Stevens commanding officer. "We are ready to answer our nation's call. We are ready to defend freedom, whether the winds of war blow near the rugged coast of Alaska, or in the far reaches of the globe." 

From the Pacific campaigns of World War II to modern Arctic maritime operations, the Navy and Alaska share a deep commitment to homeland defense. The commissioning in Whittier emphasizes the Navy's persistent operational presence in high-latitude environments to deter northern flank aggression and safeguard critical maritime routes. 

The USS Ted Stevens is built around the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, delivering a generational leap in simultaneous antiair warfare and ballistic missile defense. Featuring enhanced electrical power distribution and expanded cooling capacity, the destroyer is engineered to operate in high-threat environments and integrate seamlessly with joint and coalition forces. 

Following post-commissioning operations, the USS Ted Stevens will transit to its permanent home port in Norfolk, Virginia, fully prepared to deploy worldwide.

Marines Enhance Anti-Ship Tactics in Hawaii

Oct. 6, 2026 | By Marine Corps Capt. Duncan Stoner, 3rd Marine Division |

Marines assigned to the 3rd Littoral Combat Team Medium-Range Missile Battery conducted a two-part training evolution at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Sept. 28-Oct. 2, to build proficiency in modernized artillery operations, distributed command and control, and foundational field skills. 

The training supported the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment's mission to secure key maritime terrain, synchronize combined-joint fires, and protect critical sea lanes across complex littoral environments. For the battery, the exercise enhanced the individual and collective skills required to employ the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and provide organic, precision maritime fires to support combined and joint force operations. 

"The [Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System] is a critical component of the Marine Corps' force design initiatives to meet the needs of the modern battlespace," said Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Cook, the battery operations officer. "As a highly capable, mobile and survivable system, it can effectively deny maritime threats access to critical waterways from distributed and austere sites." 

Platoons in the battery completed two courses of instruction designed to reinforce readiness through realistic, scenario-driven training. The first course focused on basic artillery tactics, and the second course developed core field skills through patrolling, fire team attacks, tactical combat casualty care and local security training. 

During the exercise, Marines conducted command and control at both the battery and platoon levels while planning for operations and establishing operations centers. These distributed nodes enabled leaders to coordinate movement, process targeting information and direct simulated firing missions through each phase of the training. 

The artillery portion required Marines to conduct reconnaissance, select and occupy positions, establish security and execute rapid displacements. Marines also trained on the ship interdiction system's fire mission processing and procedures, reinforcing the communication, coordination and technical proficiency necessary to employ anti-ship capabilities. 

"The training emphasized readiness through realistic scenarios that required Marines to execute the same fundamental tasks they may be called upon to perform across demanding maritime terrain," Cook said. "By rehearsing command and control, position occupation, fire mission processing and field skills, we strengthened the battery's ability to operate as a team and provide a flexible maritime fires option to the combined or joint force." 

By combining artillery-specific training with basic fieldcraft, the 3rd Littoral Combat Team's battery continued developing disciplined, adaptable Marines prepared to support the regiment's ability to operate across littoral terrain and contribute to maritime security and coastal defense. 

Initially fielded to the regiment in 2024 and as a cornerstone of the Marine Corps' force design initiative, the ship interdiction system provides joint force commanders with an expeditionary, survivable ground-based, anti-ship platform at extended ranges. Since receiving the system, the regiment has deployed the ship interdiction system to the Philippines during multilateral exercises like Balikatan and Kamandag to enhance interoperability while training shoulder to shoulder with regional allies and partners.

Air Test, Evaluation Squadron Provides Integral Capabilities During Exercise Gray Flag

Oct. 6, 2026 | By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class John Jarrett, Naval Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 |

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Dua, an aviation structural mechanic assigned to the Naval Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, stands in front of an E-2D Hawkeye tactical aircraft during Exercise Gray Flag at Naval Base Ventura County, California, last month. As a qualified plane captain, he has many responsibilities, including daily maintenance and servicing to ensure the aircraft is mission ready.  

On this day, he oversees an E-2 on the ground, conducting preflight inspections and coordinating with the pilots and maintenance crew as they prepare to support simulated aerial maritime combat scenarios along the Pacific coast during the joint force exercise. 

"Gray Flag provides an important opportunity to hone the capabilities of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and set the stage for future developments. Our sailors' tireless efforts on the ground, our aircrew's commitment to extensive flight operations and the dedicated support of the [E-2 program office] team make this possible," said Navy Capt. John Coleman, squadron commanding officer. "This effort advances a core objective of operational test — prevent discovery in combat." 

On an active flight line, voice communication is impossible — but words aren't necessary. Squadron crews rely on a standardized, visual vocabulary to launch their aircraft safely and on schedule.  

Dua rapidly spins his right arm in a circle to signal to the pilots inside the aircraft to start the propellers. The left turbo propeller's engine hums as the blades start spinning through the humid Southern California haze. Dua signals for the next propeller to start.  

The propulsion from both props makes the aircraft shake side to side, pulling at the chains attached to its underside. The propellers at full blast resemble a loud hum of angry killer bees. The aircraft is affectionately nicknamed "The Hummer." 

"The experience of being a plane captain is unreal," Dua said. "We have to rely on our hand signals because the propellers are so loud." 

Preflight checks require coordinated efforts between the plane captain, the pilot and the maintenance crew. Sailors assigned to the squadron's E-2 maintenance detachment are stationed around the aircraft and wait for signals from Dua.  

A sailor on the aircraft's rear verifies operation of the four vertical stabilizers and three movable rudders. These are uniquely adapted to maintain directional stability under the disturbed airflow caused by the E-2's large 24-foot overhead radar rotodome. 

The sailor gives Dua a thumbs up after he visually confirms the checks. Sailors on the left and right of the aircraft fold out the 80-foot wings, while others swiftly duck under the aircraft and remove chains that anchor it to the flight line. The E-2 begins to taxi for takeoff, guided by Dua, who directed the entire process. He salutes the pilots as he enthusiastically sends them off. 

"Being a plane captain means I'm responsible for the safety of others," he said. "Part of my job is communicating everything the pilot says to the ground crew and what the ground says up to the pilots." 

The E-2D is the Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management aircraft. It is a twin-engine, five-crew member, high-wing turboprop aircraft with a 24-foot-diameter radar mounted on the upper fuselage.  

An integral component of the carrier strike group air wing, the E-2 uses computerized radar, identification systems and electronic surveillance sensors to provide early warning and threat analysis against potentially hostile air and surface targets. The aircraft's mission capabilities make it a unique addition to a carrier group, providing real-time information on adversaries from its high perch with a maximum ceiling of 30,000 feet. 

During Gray Flag, the squadron detached its E-2Ds with the maintenance team. The squadron reviews and disseminates new antisubmarine warfare and surface warfare tactics and procedures for fleet use, serving as the model manager for these tactical publications and their implementation across fleet forces.  

The joint exercise, hosted by Naval Test Wing Pacific, is a unique opportunity to introduce and integrate new mission systems between early warning and strike fighter platforms. 

The E-2/C-2 Airborne Command and Control Systems Program Office, or PMA-231, manages the E-2 test program. They manage acquisition, development and sustainment of the E-2 platform. The aircraft's system software configuration is in operational testing, and Gray Flag is a critical component of that testing. PMA-231 is ultimately accountable for fielding the system. 

"We deliver airborne command and control systems to equip the carrier strike group to command the battlespace even when communications are disrupted," PMA-231 leadership said. "The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye empowers our warfighters to detect, decide and communicate faster than any adversary. By sustaining these aircraft at combat speed and leveraging the warfighting acquisition system, we ensure these platforms deliver a decisive advantage to achieve peace through strength." 

The squadron's role as the eyes in the sky during the training event was integral to the air wing aircraft's ability to perform realistic maneuvers simulating aerial maritime combat scenarios along the coast, allowing access to a 36,000-square-mile sea and air space, which is critical for testing and evaluating emerging technology in a realistic maritime environment.

New Clinical Guideline Helps Keep Women 'Optimized for the Fight'

Oct. 6, 2026 | By Andrew Ortuzar, Defense Health Agency |

The Department of Veterans Affairs and War Department have jointly released a clinical practice guideline to help clinicians provide improved care for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. 

"We want both patients and clinicians to know there are safe and effective treatments for women who are experiencing bothersome symptoms of perimenopause and menopause," said Air Force Maj. Kathleen Pombier, chief of the Defense Health Agency's women's health clinical management team. "Individualized treatment is key. The focus needs to be on whole-person care." 

The guideline's recommendations cover diagnosis, menopausal symptom management and treatment safety. Topics include hot flashes, sleep problems, mood and cognitive changes, genitourinary symptoms, sexual dysfunction, bone health, weight management, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer risk. 

Supporting Military Readiness 

Women are an essential and growing part of the military force as well as the fastest-growing group among veterans and VA healthcare beneficiaries, Pombier said. The guideline provides a common framework for a continuity of care across both healthcare systems. 

"When we look at the VA, the average age of those patients is within the perimenopausal and menopausal range," said Army Col. Erin Keyser, director of medical education at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio. "This is a very important issue for these patients."

Perimenopause and menopause are natural life transitions during which a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently, and she is no longer able to become pregnant — with perimenopause referring to the time leading up to menopause, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Hormonal changes can disrupt sleep, mood, cognition and daily functioning for some patients, ultimately impacting readiness, Pombier said. 

"When your sleep's affected, you're not going to do your job as well," she emphasized, adding that identifying and treating symptoms early helps women remain ready to serve. 

"By having clinicians identify symptoms earlier and recognize that it's not something women just have to deal with — it's actually something we can treat — it ensures we have every woman optimized for the fight," she said. 

Effective care can also reduce stigma and help women stay in the military and pursue leadership opportunities, Keyser said.  

Tailoring Treatment to Each Patient 

Treatment decisions should reflect each patient's symptoms, health history, preferences and risks, Pombier said.  

Diagnosis generally relies on symptoms and a discussion with the patient.  

For vasomotor symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats, the guideline addresses hormonal treatments including estrogen, progesterone and nonhormonal options, including certain antidepressants and gabapentin. Nonhormonal treatments may help women who cannot use systemic hormones or prefer other options.   

The guideline also addresses treatment for breast cancer survivors.  

"Many breast cancer survivors don't know local estrogen is still an option, even with a history of breast cancer," she said. "We also have multiple other nonhormonal options for this specific patient population which are covered in the [guideline]." 

Individualized treatment is key. The focus needs to be on whole-person care."

Air Force Maj. Kathleen Pombier, chief of the Defense Health Agency's women's health clinical management team

Other recommendations address sleep, mood, genitourinary and sexual-health concerns, which may arise during menopause.

"For sleep symptoms, we talk a lot about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, which is one of the strong evidence-based methods we can use to help women when they're struggling," Pombier said. 

She stressed that care must be individualized.  

"We need to recognize the midlife transition, talk to our patient, assess their symptoms, understand their priorities, review with them the risks and the benefits and ultimately use shared decision-making to figure out how we should best treat them," she said. 

Practical Tools for Clinicians 

The guideline includes four diagnostic and treatment flowcharts for diagnosis and a pocket card that matches symptoms with recommended treatments. 

Providers can use these tools during appointments to determine whether one treatment could address several concerns. 

The tools also help clinicians at remote military hospitals and clinics without an obstetrician or gynecologist on staff, Keyser said. The guideline directs providers to related clinical guidance when patients need further evaluation or treatment. 

"Everyone deserves to have high-quality care regardless of where they're stationed," she added. 

For Pombier, the shared standards support consistent care across specialties and help service members transition to VA care.  

The working group developed the recommendations using patient focus groups and systematic evidence reviews. It weighed evidence quality, benefits and harms, patient preferences and access to care.

"We wanted to be transparent on the basis for care," Pombier said. "Here is the evidence that we have, here is how strong or weak it is, but also here are the areas where we think we need more evidence before we can make firm recommendations." 

Keyser said the guideline demonstrates a commitment to addressing menopause-related concerns. 

"We are taking this subject seriously, and we care about the women in our healthcare system," she said. "We want to provide them high-quality care."

Air Force Captain Finds Resilience Through Endurance Running

Oct. 5, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Cheyenne Lewis Roberts, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs |

Military service demands sustained physical and mental resilience. Air Force Capt. John Blasingame put that standard to the test in the Bigfoot 200, a 200-mile ultramarathon marked by steep elevation changes, unforgiving terrain and up to 107 hours of sleep deprivation.

As the Headquarters Air Force A2 Directorate for Intelligence Analysis, Partnerships and Engagement executive officer, Blasingame is no stranger to demanding operations. More than a distance event, the race tests endurance, judgment and recovery under prolonged stress; it profoundly evaluates how the human mind and body function when pushed past the threshold of complete exhaustion. 

His path to ultra-running was born out of personal crisis, not athletic ambition. In 2022, while stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, he faced severe mental health struggles that led to hospitalization. 

"There were a lot of things in my life that I was trying to fix on my own power ... that I just couldn't fix," Blasingame recalled. "I decided I need to go back to the basics. I need to just try to find peace." 

Seeking that peace, he began waking up before dawn to listen to worship music and run on the Hickam track. 

What began as a coping outlet developed into a disciplined commitment to endurance running. In 2023, he completed his first marathon. By 2025, he ran 12 ultra-marathons in 12 months. In 2026, he won five races outright, set two course records and ranked in the top 100 nationally. 

Bigfoot was a steppingstone toward his ultimate objective of winning the Grand Slam of 200-Mile Ultra-Marathons, a feat few can achieve, even among the world's most resilient athletes.

For Blasingame, ultra-running is more than a physical challenge. The sport builds the physical endurance, mental discipline and resilience that support combat readiness. 

"A warrior, as I understand the concept, is just someone who is willing to be broken and is willing to engage with his or her own weakness," he said. "You don't get strength apart from weakness, and in the same way, I think ultra-running reveals that to me in a very tangible way. No one ever finishes without these really dark moments where you think, 'this sucks,' but you make the decision to take another step forward." 

But just as no solo operator wins on the battlefield, no ultra-runner conquers 200 miles alone. Behind the captain is his father, Don, his ultimate support system, who came to Hawaii during his darkest hours and continues to support him on the trail.

"Running became an expression of the healing, discipline and sense of purpose that were already developing in him," his father reflected. "Over time, running gave John another way to challenge himself and discover what he was capable of. As John's father, I'm incredibly proud of the runner he has become, but I'm much prouder of the man he continues to become. I've watched him grow in discipline, resilience, humility and faith." 

When the race commenced Aug. 14, Blasingame's discipline and his father's support were put to the test. The Cascade Mountains presented a relentless obstacle course of steep climbs, spotty satellite tracking and zero cell coverage — forcing Blasingame's crew to drive nearly 1,000 miles along winding mountain passes to meet him at remote aid stations. 

The physical and emotional toll was immediate. At his lowest points, huddled alone in the dark at mile 37, and again at miles 102 and 118, the mountain fog rolled in and Blasingame's competitive expectations began to slip away. He found himself lying devastated at aid stations, too exhausted to run. During those critical breaks, his support team stepped in to manage the physical toll, ensuring he rested and refueled before sending him back out onto the course. 

With his team by his side, his deep faith and his personal mantra, "stand up again," he was determined to drive forward and conquer the Bigfoot 200. Rather than fighting the clock, he used Scripture as a quiet anchor in the dirt, choosing to fight the simple battle of perseverance one step at a time.

Blasingame pushed through the final, grueling miles toward the finish line, completing the 206-mile course in just over 81 hours. While his athletic drive left him slightly disappointed with his overall competitive standing, the deeper victory was unmistakable. 

"The finish line wasn't a cinematic moment — it was a jumble of gratitude and raw, physical exhaustion," Blasingame said. "The lesson that this race reinforced is that strength isn't about being invincible; it's about what you do after your break. My hope is that when some of my airmen hit their own inevitable breaking points, they will look at my mess, see how I have found strength to stand back up and realize they can likewise find strength in their own brokenness."

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. Alvin York

 Oct. 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Sgt. Alvin C. York, an infantryman, received the Medal of Honor for valor due to his heroic actions during a World War I operation in France, actions that would be immortalized in the 1941 film "Sergeant York."

York was born Dec. 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee. His father, William Uriah York, was a blacksmith, hunter and farmer on their 75-acre plot. His mother, Mary Elizabeth York, was a busy housewife, tending to their 11 children. York had minimal schooling. He helped with the farm and became a sharpshooter, skills honed from years of hunting. 

In November 1917, York was drafted into the Army, despite claiming conscientious objector status. He went to basic military training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division, the unit he would remain with throughout the war. 

In June 1918, he arrived in France. In September, his regiment participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and later engaged in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest World War I American operation.

During this offensive and on the date of his valor, Oct. 8, 1918, York, a corporal at the time, and his unit were tasked with capturing a railroad. The platoon got lost in the forest behind enemy lines and soon were met with machine-gun fire.  

Nine members were killed, including all of the noncommissioned officers, leading York to assume command of the platoon. Fearlessly leading the remaining seven men, he charged toward a machine-gun nest which was pouring incessant fire at his platoon.  

At the time, York was carrying a rifle and a pistol. During his heroic ordeal, he used his hunting skills to silence the machine-gun nest, killing 25 Germans and leading to the enemy commander surrendering. All in all, his unit took 132 prisoners. 

York was promoted to sergeant Nov. 10, 1918, just a day before the end of the war, honored today as Veterans Day. The Medal of Honor was presented to him the following April in France, by Army Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan, 82nd Infantry Division commander. 

On May 22, 1919, he arrived back in the U.S., to a hero's welcome, aboard the cargo ship SS Ohioan and was discharged from the Army a week later. 

The next month, he married his childhood sweetheart, Gracie Loretta Williams. They had eight children, with three of his sons going on to serve in the military. 

Following the war, local nonprofit and other civic organizations raised enough money to build York a large, two-story home and to purchase 400 acres of land for him along the Wolf River in Pall Mall. 

York committed the rest of his life to philanthropic causes, establishing a Bible school in his hometown, founding the Alvin C. York Foundation to increase economic and education opportunities in eastern Tennessee and founding the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee. 

During World War II, York tried to reenlist and serve in combat. However, he had health issues that prevented his request. Instead, he served stateside as an Army major, in the Army Signal Corps giving motivational speeches to troops, teaching marksmanship and promoting war bonds. 

York died Sept. 2, 1964, and was buried at Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall. His wife died Sept. 27, 1984, and was buried beside him. 

York's grandson, retired Army Col. Gerald E. York, was in the Army for 31 years, serving in combat during the Vietnam War. He continues to work to preserve his grandfather's legacy, running the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, which supports education opportunities in eastern Tennessee. 

His Medal of Honor is on display at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. 

The site of his birthplace log cabin and his postwar farmhouse are preserved as part of the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall.

The film "Sergeant York" is loosely based on his upbringing and wartime experience. Gary Cooper, the lead actor, won an Academy Award for his realistic portrayal of York. 

A bronze statue of him is on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The Alvin C. York Institute that he founded is now a high school. The Alvin C. York Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the Alvin C. York Bridge that spans the Tennessee River are named for him, as well as York Avenue in New York City.