Army Task Force Partners With Acquisition Directorate to Accelerate Counter-Drone Tech in Africa

Oct. 16, 2026 | By Army Capt. Tucker Chase, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa |

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa announced a partnership with the Army's Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate to test emerging drone systems in Africa and deliver them to soldiers within 180 days. 

The command's first accelerated capability event is scheduled for spring 2027 in Tan-Tan, Morocco. It will focus on counter-unmanned aircraft systems and force protection, targeting capability gaps in protecting early-entry command posts and operating locations against small UAS. 

Africa offers an open spectrum, uncongested airspace and diverse terrain that training ranges in the United States and Europe cannot easily match. These conditions allow soldiers to validate solutions in theater and scale them across the service. 

Operating under the Army Pathway for Innovation and Technology Office, the acquisition directorate embeds personnel within Army service component commands. These teams translate urgent commander priorities into executable requirements, giving field commanders access to acquisition authorities at the tactical edge. The teams already operate within U.S. Army Europe and Africa, U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Army Central. 

Army Col. Christopher Hill, director of the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate, described the organization as the Army's answer for putting innovative solutions in the hands of the warfighter.

"[Army service component commands have] always had priorities, they've always had capability gaps, but the two things they've never had is acquisition authority and research, development, test and evaluation dollars," he said. 

Because the directorate maintains visibility across multiple commands, Hill said its personnel can align modernization efforts, maximize funding and transition proven theater solutions Army wide. 

The unit assigned a team to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa this summer to link immediate operational needs with rapid acquisition resources. Together, the commands will use the accelerated capability event framework as a fast-track pathway to identify, evaluate and deliver field-ready technology. 

Through a three-phase model, submission and preparation, soldier-led demonstrations and follow-on operational evaluation, capability events deliver rapid solutions within an accelerated acquisition timeline.

New York National Guard Battalion Mobilizes for Southern Border Mission

Oct. 15, 2026 | By Eric Durr and Army Sgt. Richelle Cruickshank, New York National Guard |

One hundred and twenty New York Army National Guard soldiers assigned to the 204th Engineer Battalion recently took part in mobilization ceremonies at the armory in Binghamton, New York, for a federal deployment to the southern border. 

The battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company held a ceremony Oct. 8, while families of the Forward Support Company held their official send-off Oct. 11.

The two ceremonies marked the beginning of a yearlong mobilization to Texas in support of U.S. Border Patrol. 

Called Operation Ardent Vanguard, the U.S. Northern Command mission supports the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Army forces provide support through border defense, detection, monitoring and infrastructure support along the southern border. 

The Forward Support Company provides logistics support, including maintenance, fuel transportation, supplies and materials to the 204th Engineer Battalion.

The Headquarters and Headquarters Company will provide mission command for the Army task force operating in the region, with Army Lt. Col. Kevin O'Reilly, battalion commander, serving as the task force commander. 

Soldiers in both companies have spent 12 months preparing for the deployment. 

Speaking to the soldiers and their families, O'Reilly said the Binghamton-based National Guard units have a history of service going back to the Civil War. 

O'Reilly connected that legacy of service to the battalion's upcoming mission, emphasizing the importance of supporting national security efforts along the border. 

"This is a long mission; stressors will come up on mission and at home," he said. "Look to your left and right. We are a team, and we are going to help each other." 

O'Reilly urged members of the unit to remain connected and support one another through difficult circumstances.

"Don't internalize and think you are alone," he said. "I charge you to look out for each other. No matter what we face, we will overcome." 

During the Headquarters and Headquarters Company ceremony, O'Reilly and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jay Symonds, the battalion's senior enlisted leader, cased the battalion colors. 

The military tradition symbolizes the unit's transition to a deployed status while preserving the history, honors and legacy represented by its colors. 

The 204th Engineer Battalion has 700 soldiers located at armories in Binghamton, Kingston, Horseheads, Walton and Cortlandt Manor, New York. 

In 2025, the New York National Guard deployed the headquarters detachment of the 104th Military Police Battalion and the 442nd Military Police Company on a similar support mission.

Navy Accepts Next-Generation Aircraft to Modernize Strategic Communications

Oct. 16, 2026 | By Katherine Coughlan, Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office |

The Navy accepted a newly manufactured C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin during a ceremony in Marietta, Georgia, Oct. 15, marking the first step toward fielding the future E-130J Phoenix II.

The aircraft will serve as the host platform for the Navy's next-generation "Take Charge and Move Out" mission system, providing survivable, reliable and secure communications among the president, the secretary of war and U.S. Strategic Command.

The new airframe begins a planned transition, honoring decades of service from the legacy E-6B Mercury aircraft while laying the foundation for the future fight. The program designation Phoenix II symbolizes rebirth and nods to the EC-130Q Hercules platform the Navy used to execute the Take Charge and Move Out mission during the Cold War.

This modernized capability ensures the nation's nuclear command, control and communications architecture remains resilient and reliable. The updated platform also delivers the enhanced endurance, capacity and operational reach necessary to support mission success in complex global environments.

The event spotlighted the close partnership between the Navy and the defense industrial base. The newly delivered aircraft is the extended C-130J-30 variant, part of an initial procurement of three aircraft the Navy acquired in September 2024.

During the ceremony, Lockheed Martin representatives presented a commemorative plaque and ceremonial key to Navy Capt. Roger Davis, Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office commander.

"Today's delivery from the historic Marietta line represents far more than a new airframe; it marks the foundation of our future strategic deterrence posture," Davis said. "Through our close partnership with Lockheed Martin and our industry team, we are ensuring our nation maintains an unshakeable communications lifeline to our ballistic missile submarine fleet."

The ceremony also recognized the sailors assigned to Strategic Communications Wing 1 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, who will operate and maintain the modernized fleet. Before the ceremony, select sailors participated in a fleet engagement day, which included simulator flights, production line tours and program briefings.

"Strategic deterrence is only as credible as our ability to communicate, and that mission rests in the hands of SCW-1's world-class sailors," said Navy Capt. David Gardner, the wing's commodore. "The E-130J will provide our sailors unmatched capability and next-generation survivable and reliable communications, ensuring our team continues to be the unbreakable link between the president and strategic nuclear forces."

Clean Fuel, Ready Jets: Air National Guard Logistics Squadron Keeps Operations Moving

Oct. 14, 2026 | By Air Force Senior Airman Juan Broyles, 162nd Wing |

Sustaining the high-tempo flying operations of the Air National Guard's 162nd Wing is a complex logistical science. Long before F-16 Fighting Falcon wheels leave the tarmac, airmen assigned to the 162nd Logistics Readiness Squadron are working around the clock, managing fuel distribution, chemical purity and supply logistics to ensure exceptional engine performance during flight.

"What we do as a [petroleum, oils and lubricants] flight is supply clean, dry and serviceable fuel throughout the wing," said Air Force Master Sgt. Travis Iverson, squadron fuels superintendent.

Beyond driving the green trucks on the flight line, the unit ensures fuel quality through laboratory analysis and filtration during transit and delivery. Testing verifies that fuel is free of water, sediment and chemical contaminants to ensure proper engine combustion and prevent mechanical failure.

"When we say 'dry,' we mean there's no water, no sediment, no chemicals or anything that doesn't need to be in there," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aaron Beeman, squadron fuels technician. "For the plane's fuel to go through the engine, to mix with the air itself and burn and produce the thrust that they need, it needs to be clean."

In addition to jet fuel for the wing's F-16 pilot training mission, the flight handles liquid oxygen for pilot breathing systems needed during high-altitude sorties. The flight also supplies gasoline for a vast fleet of aerospace ground equipment, including security forces vehicles, fire trucks and civil engineering machinery.

The team coordinates fuel shipments and maintains reserves while tracking inventory and spending. 

"We make sure all the transactions for the jets and all the gallon numbers are correct," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Butler, squadron fuels accountant. "We manage high-volume, multimillion-dollar jet fuel sales on a monthly basis."

The team's reach extends beyond internal wing support. They provide fuel testing services to Army aviation units and select Marine Corps components, while strictly adhering to environmental compliance guidelines for all fuel handling and storage procedures.

"Everyone just sees big green trucks out on the flight line and putting gas on the jets," Iverson said. "However, there's a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff we do, such as inventory management, all the lab and testing of the fuel that we do and also the accounting side."

Wherever fuel is needed, the flight meets the demand with airmen ready to ensure mission objectives keep moving forward.

Ultimately, this comprehensive approach to chemical purity and supply logistics keeps the Air National Guard's premiere F-16 fighter pilot training unit fueled up and ready to fly.

Lightning Academy Bolsters Army Fast Rope Training

Oct. 14, 2026 | By Army Sgt. Duke Edwards, 25th Infantry Division |

Air sweeps across the Schofield Barracks training area in Hawaii from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter hovering in place, from which Army Capt. Liam Davenport leverages the past three days of progressive training, sending soldiers down two fast ropes to the ground during the culminating event of the Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction System Master Course.

The course, conducted Oct. 5-7, supports the 25th Infantry Division's dedicated effort to increase the number of qualified system masters throughout the formation. Expanding their expertise provides units with personnel capable of safely controlling fast-rope operations, giving commanders another option to rapidly insert and maneuver soldiers and equipment across restrictive terrain in the Pacific region.

Dense jungles, water obstacles and limited helicopter landing zones can restrict how forces move.

"In the Pacific, getting to the objective can be as challenging as the mission itself," said Army Staff Sgt. Eljay Basug, a course senior instructor assigned to Lightning Academy, 25th Infantry Division.

The fast-rope system provides an alternative when those conditions prevent an aircraft from landing, allowing units to rapidly insert personnel closer to an objective and lower equipment into otherwise difficult-to-access areas.

The three-day course develops that expertise through progressive instruction. Students begin with classroom training covering their duties and responsibilities, operational procedures, equipment and knots before conducting introductory descents from a low platform. 

The course advances to a 40-foot tower, conducting day and night training iterations, mass exits and descents with equipment before transitioning to live aircraft operations. The progression allows students to build confidence and demonstrate the fundamentals at increasing heights before applying them from an aircraft.

"With [fast rope insertion/extraction], it allows units to bypass those obstacles and insert closer to the objective," Basug said. "It gives unit commanders a greater reach, greater flexibility [and] greater speed to accomplish the mission."

Expanding that capability requires more than increasing the number of soldiers who can descend a fast rope. While a basic roper has the individual skills to descend, a master provides the expertise needed to enable the operation. These masters inspect personnel and equipment, enforce safety standards and control the insertion.

Davenport, the air assault, rappel master and fast rope insertion/extraction system officer in charge assigned to Lightning Academy, 25th Infantry Division, said those responsibilities distinguish a master from a basic roper.

"The FRIES master is the one in the aircraft," he said. "He's on the comms with the pilot in command and the crew chiefs, verifying that they're over the target grid, verifying the calls [and] making sure that the ropers are good to go."

Unlike rappelling, which is taught during air assault training, fast ropers are not physically attached to the rope during their descent. Once on the ground, they can quickly clear the insertion point and transition to their follow-on mission.

"With fast roping specifically, it's getting in and out of objectives," Davenport said. "Whether that be a target building, open field, or even a ship."

Bolstering qualified FRIES masters across the division aims to push that expertise closer to the formations that may need it. Davenport said a future goal is for organizations throughout the 25th Infantry Division to have qualified masters capable of supporting fast rope training within their own formations.

Developing that expertise at the unit level increases the division's capacity to maintain and employ the capability beyond the schoolhouse, giving commanders additional options for moving forces based on the mission and terrain.

For the 25th Infantry Division, increasing the number of masters builds the personnel and expertise required to employ fast-rope operations across the formation. Distributing that expertise gives commanders greater flexibility to maneuver soldiers and equipment, overcome restrictive terrain and reach objectives throughout the Pacific.

10 Things Every Veteran Learned That Employers Should Appreciate

Military service teaches lessons that extend far beyond the uniform. Regardless of branch, specialty, or era of service, veterans learn habits, attitudes, and principles that become part of how they approach their responsibilities. Discipline, accountability, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership are not simply ideas discussed in a classroom; they are expectations reinforced through training and experience. Many of these lessons become second nature, carried into civilian life long after military service ends. Here are ten things veterans learned that employers should recognize and appreciate.

1. “Fifteen minutes early is on time. On time is late.”

Lesson: Punctuality and dependability. Veterans understand that showing up on time means showing up prepared. Other people depend on you being where you're supposed to be, ready to do your job.

2. “Lead by example.”

Lesson: Leadership through actions. Leadership isn't simply a title or rank. It's demonstrating the standards, work ethic, and integrity you expect from others.

3. “Adapt and overcome.”

Lesson: Flexibility and problem-solving. Plans change, resources disappear, and unexpected obstacles arise. The mission still needs to be accomplished. Veterans learn to adjust rather than give up.

4. “Leave no one behind.”

Lesson: Teamwork and loyalty. Success is measured by what the team accomplishes, not simply by individual performance. When a teammate struggles, you help them succeed.

5. “Attention to detail saves lives.”

Lesson: Accuracy and quality. Small mistakes can have enormous consequences. Veterans are taught that details matter and that doing a job correctly is just as important as getting it finished.

6. “Take responsibility. Own your mistakes.”

Lesson: Personal accountability. When something goes wrong, the first responsibility is to acknowledge the problem, correct it, and learn from it—not find someone else to blame.

7. “The mission comes first.”

Lesson: Commitment and follow-through. Veterans learn to focus on objectives, establish priorities, and see difficult assignments through to completion.

8. “If you see something that needs doing, do it.”

Lesson: Initiative. Not every problem requires someone to issue an order. Veterans learn to recognize what needs to be done, exercise judgment, and take appropriate action within their responsibilities.

9. “Train like you fight.”

Lesson: Preparation and continuous improvement. Performance under pressure depends on preparation beforehand. Practice, repetition, and learning from mistakes build competence and confidence.

10. “Stay calm and carry out the mission.”

Lesson: Composure under pressure. Stress, confusion, and competing demands are not reasons to lose focus. Veterans learn to assess situations, establish priorities, and make decisions when circumstances are difficult.

Training Prepares Soldier to Save Lives During Accident

Oct. 13, 2026 | By Joseph Jones, Madigan Army Medical Center  |

What began as a routine commute to work Oct. 5 quickly became anything but for Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Hytower, a practical nursing specialist assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. 
 
He was driving to base when he encountered the aftermath of a serious vehicle crash on the interstate. Seeing that help might be needed, he turned around, activated his hazard lights and found a safe location to stop. 
 
"It was just instinct," Hytower said. "That's when training kicks in."

As he approached an overturned SUV, he quickly realized the emergency extended far beyond injuries from a vehicle collision. He saw a woman, presumably from the accident, wielding a knife and attacking two children. 

Hytower moved in quickly to intervene. 
 
"Once I saw the knife … I was just trying to isolate that knife from anyone trying to cause harm," he said. 

Fortunately, Hytower was not alone. Other service members stopped to help, quickly forming an emergency team on the shoulder of the interstate. 
 
Army Sgt. Ricardo Nunez, assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, assisted Hytower in disarming and restraining the woman. Army Sgt. Alexis McKay, a Washington National Guard combat medic, also responded, providing medical assistance and comfort to one of the injured children until law enforcement arrived. 
 
Once the immediate threat was controlled, Hytower turned his attention to reassuring the two children. As a parent, seeing their fear affected him personally. 
 
"None of us stopped that morning expecting anything like this to happen," he said. "We just saw people who needed help and did what we would want others to do for us and our families. I also think it shows the importance of teamwork. Everyone there played a part, whether it was providing medical care, keeping the kids calm, calling for help, or making sure the situation stayed safe. We weren't looking for recognition; we were just trying to do the right thing." 
 
Hytower's decisive actions reflected the high-stakes readiness he practices and teaches daily at Madigan. 
 
As a practical nursing specialist, Hytower trains service members in patient care using realistic medical simulation. Madigan's advanced simulation capabilities allow medical personnel to practice responding to complex patient scenarios using high-fidelity mannequins that replicate breathing, heart beats, coughing and other critical clinical conditions. 
 
Hytower's response also reflects Madigan's broader commitment to medical readiness and hands-on training. Through a range of clinical education, trauma response and military medical training programs, Madigan prepares service members to assess rapidly changing situations, respond under pressure and provide lifesaving care when it matters most. 
 
As an instructor within that training environment, Hytower helps reinforce the same skills, judgment and readiness that carry from the classroom and clinical setting into unexpected real-world emergencies.

The heroic, collaborative response of the joint service members drew high praise from local military leadership. 
 
"The rapid, decisive actions of Sgt. 1st Class Hytower, Sgt. Nunez and Sgt. McKay represent the very best of our profession," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gary D. Petty, Madigan Army Medical Center senior enlisted adviser. 
 
"When confronted with a chaotic and dangerous situation, these soldiers didn't hesitate," Petty said. "They relied on their training, placed themselves between danger and the vulnerable, and saved lives. I am incredibly proud of their courage, their bias for action and their absolute commitment to protecting others." 
 
Several service members helped detain the suspect until Washington State Patrol personnel arrived and assumed responsibility for the investigation. 
 
For Hytower, the interstate rescue serves as a stark reminder of why rigorous military training matters long before a crisis occurs. 
 
"I think the biggest thing was just being able to stay calm and assess what was happening," he said. "With both my soldier and medical training, you're taught to quickly figure out what needs to be done and prioritize what's most important. At first, our focus was making sure everyone involved in the accident was OK and getting them the help they needed. When the situation suddenly changed, we were able to react quickly and make sure everyone was safe. A lot of that comes from the training we've received and being able to fall back on it without really having to think about it."

Medal of Honor Monday: Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone

Oct. 12, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone was an infantryman during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Guadalcanal in 1943, and two years later, he posthumously received the Navy Cross for his gallantry during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Basilone was born Nov. 4, 1916, in Buffalo, New York, and when he was 2, his family moved to Raritan, New Jersey. He was the sixth child born to Salvatore, an Italian immigrant, and Dora; he had nine siblings.  

He attended St. Bernard Parochial School in Raritan, but after completing middle school in 1931, he dropped out to work as a golf caddy at the local country club.  

In July 1934, Basilone enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jay on Governors Island, New York City. However, he wanted to go overseas, so after a few months he accepted a discharge and reenlisted the following day. He joined the 31st Infantry Regiment and immediately deployed to the Philippines, where he served for two years. 

While in Manila, Basilone earned a reputation as a formidable amateur boxer, and he acquired the nickname "Manila John." His time in the Army served him well later in the Marine Corps, where he became an expert marksman. 

Upon his honorable Army discharge in 1937, Basilone returned to the U.S. and worked as a truck driver in Reisterstown, Maryland. However, he wanted to return to the Philippines and to military life. So, in July 1940, with war looming, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.  

Basilone attended basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, and was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in September 1940. 

He was reassigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in January 1941, and in September 1942, his unit landed on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. 

He was serving as a Marine Corps sergeant in the Lunga area of Guadalcanal Oct. 24, 1942, when about 20,000 Japanese soldiers attacked his unit as they defended Henderson Airfield. 

His Medal of Honor citation states that while the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Basilone, who was in charge of two sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage assault. In a fierce frontal attack, one of Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only two men able to carry out the counterattack. 

Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it until replacements arrived. Later, with ammunition critically low, Basilone risked his life and battled his way through hostile lines with shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment.  

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, presented Basilone with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in Balcombe, Australia, May 21, 1943.

The Marine Corps offered to make him an officer and let him spend the rest of the war in Washington, but he turned them down. Basilone participated in war bond tours in the U.S., but he grew restless again. After repeated denials, the Marine Corps finally approved his request to return overseas in December 1943, but first sent him to Camp Pendleton, California, for training. 

He was promoted to gunnery sergeant in March 1944 and formally reenlisted in July. That same month, he married Lena Mae Riggi, a sergeant in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve.  

In August 1944, Basilone returned to the Pacific theater and was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. In January 1945, his unit sailed for the island of Iwo Jima in the Western Pacific Ocean.  

On Feb. 19, 1945, Basilone was killed by a mortar shell during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He posthumously received the Navy Cross for his gallantry.   

The citation states that shortly after landing on the island, his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse. Basilone boldly defied the enemy bombardment and worked his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse. Then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, he single-handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Later in the day, he proceeded to the aid of an American tank that was trapped in an enemy minefield. Under intense mortar and artillery barrages, Basilone guided it to safety. Minutes later, he was instantly killed when a Japanese mortar round exploded.  

He was 28 years old. 

Basilone's widow accepted the Navy Cross, signed by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, during a private ceremony in September 1945.  

Basilone is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. His wife died June 11, 1999, and was buried in her home state of California.

There's a bronze statue of Basilone in Raritan, as well as several roads and bridges named for him. In 1981, the city held the first John Basilone Memorial Parade, an annual event held on the third Sunday in September; the route includes Basilone Boulevard, named for him in 2022. 

At Camp Pendleton, two highways and a drop zone bear his name. 

The destroyer USS Basilone sailed from 1945 to 1977. The guided-missile destroyer USS John Basilone was commissioned Nov. 9, 2024. 

In 2005, Basilone was among the four Marines featured in the Postal Service's "Distinguished Marines" commemorative stamp set. 

In 2014, the Basilone Memorial Foundation was established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families, as well as individuals and families impacted by cancer. 

Basilone's Medal of Honor and Navy Cross are on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia.

Department of War Certifies Production Capacity for Second Guided-Missile Destroyer at Maine's Bath Iron Works

Oct. 12, 2026 |

Following a comprehensive, multi-phase due diligence review, the Department of War has determined that significant operational and managerial improvements at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) have established the capacity and stability necessary to support the potential construction of a second guided-missile destroyer (DDG).

The Department's thorough review evaluated production throughput, schedule adherence, quality assurance benchmarks, supply chain resilience, and workforce optimization at the Bath, Maine shipyard. Based on verifiable performance enhancements and leadership initiatives implemented across the facility, the Department concluded that building an additional Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer at BIW is feasible and strategically advantageous for the Navy's fleet, should Congress secure the necessary funding.

"Our national security requires an industrial base that can respond to demands for increased speed and volume," said Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg. "After a rigorous review, Bath Iron Works has proven it has the capacity and stability to support construction of a second destroyer. While the operational improvements we have seen at BIW are a significant step in the right direction, the shipyard must continue this momentum to fully resolve legacy production challenges – sustained performance is essential. The Department will continue to partner with contractors who prioritize execution, accountability, and the rapid modernization of our forces."

"Today's decision by the Department of War validates the capacity of Bath Iron Works (BIW) and the hard work of its highly skilled 6,800 employees who build the best ships in the world. I have advocated for a second destroyer to be included in this year's budget, and I worked with the Administration during its careful review and repeated visits to BIW to verify the ability of the shipyard to construct another ship while continuing to complete its current workload," said Senator Susan Collins (ME). "This certification will help keep our Navy strong and support BIW as a steady source of good-paying Maine jobs.  I will continue to work to ensure our shipbuilders have the resources to meet the Navy's needs at a time when China is relentlessly expanding its fleet."

The decision to certify the shipyard's capacity for a second destroyer aligns with the Administration's broader, aggressive campaign to revitalize the U.S. Maritime Industrial Base and outmatch global pacing threats. To counter aggressive ship-construction timelines by foreign adversaries, the Department is prioritizing long-term stability and capacity-building across the domestic shipbuilding supply chain.

Through targeted modernization investments, workforce development initiatives, and streamlined procurement processes, the Administration is actively expanding America's sovereign shipbuilding capacity. Ensuring that key shipyards like Bath Iron Works can reliably scale and sustain high-rate production is a cornerstone of the Department's strategy to maintain global maritime dominance and protect American interests worldwide.

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."