Learning With Every Launch: Inside Exercise Cold Raptor

Aug. 19, 2026 | By Army Capt. Victoria Connell, Multi-Domain Command – Europe |

After more than 50 micro-high-altitude balloon launches over the past year, a specialized team of soldiers assigned to the Multi-Domain Command – Europe learned no two flights are exactly alike, though every launch provides lessons the team can apply to the next one.

The team recently conducted a week of balloon launches in Poland during Exercise Cold Raptor. The training supported NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a NATO-led regional initiative supported by U.S. Army Europe and Africa that integrates emerging technologies to strengthen deterrence and readiness along NATO's eastern flank.

Cold Raptor gave soldiers hands-on experience launching, tracking and operating tactical balloons in a European environment while refining the procedures they will use during future missions.  

Decentralized Operations and Multidomain Readiness  

Soldiers assigned to the Extended Range Sensing and Effects Company, 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, conducted the training. Many on the team are qualified satellite communication systems operator-maintainers and are applying their signal expertise to emerging high-altitude systems.  

Army Sgt. Eric Atwater Jr., a signal sergeant, said the exercise tested the team's ability to operate from separate locations.  

"The purpose of Cold Raptor was to see how our launch team and our pilot team can operate from decentralized points," Atwater said. "We wanted to maintain communications while balloons go up in one location, while the flight trajectory is managed and monitored by another team off-site."  

For Army Sgt. Shakir Claxton, a fellow high-altitude balloon operator, improvement comes from repetition.  

"The biggest thing is getting us out in the field, setting everything up, making sure we have a solid timeframe we can work within and doing as many launches as we can," Claxton said. "The more repetitions we get, the better we get at the job."

The training also supported the company's broader multidomain mission. Claxton compared their capabilities to the three prongs of a trident, each contributing to the sensing mission.  

"We put up the balloons to give a certain kind of view of an area, while other parts of our company, like [unmanned aircraft systems] and [electronic warfare], work hand in hand on the sensing aspect," he said.  

Adapting to Changing Conditions  

During the exercise, the team conducted launches from Powidz, Poland. Some of the balloons ascended into the stratosphere, reaching altitudes between 60,000 and 70,000 feet — approximately 18,300 to 21,400 meters — while carrying experimental payloads designed to extend communications and improve domain awareness.  

Operating in the stratosphere requires precision. Teams must account for changing weather conditions while meeting strict aviation schedules.  

"We have specific windows when these balloons need to go up to meet mission requirements," Atwater said. "Whenever we're contacting airspace control, they're expecting these terminals to be in the air at specific times. If something goes wrong, you have to think quickly on your feet, troubleshoot and find the cause in a timely manner."  

Micro-high-altitude balloon technology continues to evolve and operating the experimental equipment throughout the week presented the team with real-world challenges. By troubleshooting problems as they occurred, soldiers successfully completed flights throughout the exercise and collected data to support continued experimentation.  

The lessons learned during Exercise Cold Raptor also contribute to a broader effort to strengthen deterrence along NATO's eastern flank. The Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative is not a single unit or location, but a distributed system of capabilities operating across domains and nations. The concept aligns land forces with NATO's regional defense plans and connects mission command systems, networks and data so allied forces can share a common operating picture and make decisions faster. Exercises like this help determine how emerging technologies can contribute to the larger effort.

"The Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative operationalizes all-domain deterrence for NATO through a data-enabled posture that harnesses the changes in the character of war," said Army Brig. Gen. Steven P. Carpenter, commanding general of Multi-Domain Command – Europe. "Experimentation with emerging technologies allows us to better understand the operational environment, refine how we integrate capabilities across domains and strengthen our ability to deter aggression alongside our NATO allies."  

Allied Interoperability and Airspace Coordination  

Launching from Poland required more than preparing the balloons and monitoring their flights. The team also coordinated closely with Polish authorities to ensure each launch met host nation airspace requirements.  

"Airspace coordination is a major priority with this kind of mission," Claxton said. "We have an excellent communication pipeline and a strong working relationship with our Polish partners."  

That coordination extended to the flight line, where the launches drew interest from Polish partner forces. Because Polish forces had not previously worked with this type of platform in Poland, U.S. soldiers provided hands-on demonstrations of the equipment and launch process. The demonstrations allowed Polish soldiers to see the technology up close and build a shared understanding of the capability.  

For the soldiers on the ground, helping develop the emerging capability carries responsibility and opportunity.  

"Initially trained as a 25 Sierra [satellite communication systems operator-maintainer], the Army already entrusted me to support established communications equipment," Atwater said. "Being introduced to something new and experimental is an honor. What feels like growing pains for us right now will end up being the foundation that future soldiers rely on."  

For him, the mission also connects to a childhood dream.  

"When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut," Atwater said. "What I would say to my younger self is: you might not be the one going up to the stars, but you'll be the reason everyone looks to the sky and knows you sent something up to the very edge of space. They'll feel safer knowing you put it there."  

Exercise Northern Viking Marks 75 Years of Defense Cooperation

Aug. 19, 2026 | By Navy Lt. Caitlyn Strader, U.S. 6th Fleet |

U.S. service members arrived in Keflavik, Iceland, yesterday, joining forces with the Icelandic Coast Guard and other NATO allies for the U.S. 6th Fleet's Exercise Northern Viking 2026.

Participating nations include Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Norway, Poland and the U.S., alongside specialized assets and personnel assigned to the Allied Maritime Command and NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk.

"Our defense cooperation with the United States has thrived for 75 years because it has never stood still; it has developed to meet [the] evolving challenges of our time," said Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Iceland's minister for foreign affairs, during the exercise's opening ceremony. "The best way to celebrate this anniversary is not merely by commemorating our partnership, but by actually practicing it — together and alongside our allies. Northern Viking is precisely that, a demonstration that the commitments we have made to one another are dynamic, practical and built on trust, underpinned by shared interests."

This year's iteration of the biennial exercise marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 bilateral defense agreement between Iceland and the U.S. Running from Aug. 22 to Sept. 3, Northern Viking will challenge joint and coalition forces with a series of highly realistic training scenarios.

Key training opportunities will focus on antisubmarine warfare, mine countermeasures, expeditionary construction, search and rescue, humanitarian medical response and disaster response.

"Seventy-five years of bilateral defense cooperation is a testament to the unbreakable bond between the United States and Iceland," said U.S. Navy Vice Adm. J. T. Anderson, U.S. 6th Fleet commander. "Northern Viking 2026 is a demonstration of our commitment to the collective defense of the North Atlantic. Together with our allies, we continue to create an environment that allows interoperability among NATO maritime forces so that European allies can take over primary responsibility for deterrence and defense in the European theater."

Exercise Northern Viking 2026 is designed to strengthen interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and other allied nations. The exercise enables critical multidomain command and control of joint and coalition forces defending Iceland and safeguarding the sea lines of communication within the waterways between Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom.

As a vital global shipping corridor, keeping this area secure is an imperative for transatlantic trade, commerce and security between North America and Europe.

"Together, we're honing our warfighting skills and ensuring our ability to secure this critical region and to project decisive combat power wherever and whenever necessary," said Air Force Gen Alexus G. Grynkewich, NATO supreme allied commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command. "Throughout this exercise, and others, we will leverage the power of data in [artificial intelligence] enabled decision support tools, will integrate data streams in real time and ensure our command and control structures can make decisions at the speed of future conflict."

The 1951 defense agreement was the foundation of a unique security framework designating the U.S. as responsible for Iceland's defense in the absence of its own standing military. This treaty established a highly specialized and enduring defense presence in the region.

Over the last 75 years, this partnership has adapted from Cold War deterrence to modern multidomain defense operations, ensuring that the transatlantic bridge remains open and secure.

USS Essex Hosts Tiger Cruise on Return to San Diego

Aug. 18, 2026 | By Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Rolle |

The amphibious assault ship USS Essex hosted a historic Tiger Cruise for friends, family and community members before returning to its home port, Aug. 14.

The Essex deployed two air-cushioned landing craft, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, to Red Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, where 122 family and friends, known as Tigers, were eagerly awaiting to embark on the ship and be reunited with their loved ones.

"I'm happy we were able to bring sailors together with their families and show them what we do on a daily basis for this country," said Navy Capt. Russell Everitt, the USS Essex commanding officer. "I definitely hope we can do this type of thing again [in] the future."

A Tiger Cruise allows friends and family of sailors and Marines to board a naval ship and experience the daily life of a service member stationed aboard the USS Essex. More importantly, it provides a warm welcome home reception for service members and their families after long periods away at sea.

"I've done a lot of operations, but I haven't done anything like this," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Christopher Wyatt, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5. "It was a truly rewarding feeling knowing I was bringing people's families to them."

This marks the first time the ship has embarked Tiger Cruise guests via air-cushioned landing craft, making it not only a heartwarming reception but also a historic endeavor for the Essex.

"Being back on a ship was a very surreal experience for me," said Michael Sweeney, a Marine Corps veteran and father of Marine Corps 1st Lt. John Sweeney, assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "I definitely remember transiting the ship being a lot easier when I was younger."

Once aboard, guests went through a ship safety briefing to ensure everyone had a fulfilling experience while staying safe on the active warship. Afterward, they followed their service members for personalized tours of the USS Essex.

"The excitement I have cannot be put into words," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Megan Smith. "My father was a former service member; I like that we were able to compare and contrast our experiences in the Navy while we were both on board."

The evening culminated in a steel beach picnic, a time-honored Navy tradition for ships at sea, hosted by the Essex Supply Department. Sailors, Marines and Tigers joined together on the flight deck and shared food, drinks, games and memories as the sun slowly set over the Pacific Ocean.

"Coordinating this event took a lot of time, but it was very satisfying," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Maria Estrada. "We were able to showcase different aspects of the ship's operations as well as some of its capabilities."

The USS Essex returned to Naval Base San Diego the following day. Service members and guests stood on the flight deck and took in the downtown skyline, marking the end of two and a half months at sea in support of Exercise Rim of the Pacific and reuniting the ship with its Southern California home.

"I was just happy to be on board," said Hollis Cantrellmusson, mother of Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Bailey Cantrellmusson. "The sailors on board were very courteous, nice and gracious."

United Nations Command Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldiers During 50th Commemoration of Attack

 Aug. 18, 2026 | By Army Maj. Alexia Croizer, United Nations Command |

Fifty years ago today, Army Capt. Arthur Bonifas and Army 1st Lt. Mark Barrett set out to trim a large poplar tree that blocked visibility between a United Nations Command checkpoint and an observation post at the joint security area in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

Although operating in the security area between North and South Korea always carried risks, trimming the tree was routine. However, about 30 North Korean guards rushed the soldiers, who were leading a work party to prune the tree, violently killing them in an unprovoked attack. 

In response to the attack, the U.S. and South Korea conducted Operation Paul Bunyan three days later to cut down the tree. The mission included 16 military engineers, 124 ground troops, 27 aircraft and several field artillery teams, making it the largest demonstration of force since the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. 

Every year since, the United Nations Command commemorates the tragic incident by remembering the sacrifice of Bonifas, posthumously promoted to major, and Barrett in the name of peace and stability. A memorial to them now stands atop the tree stump near a bridge in the security area. 

This year, for the 50th commemoration, Bonifas' grandchildren, Brady and Dylan, offered touching remarks at the memorial about how they got to know their grandfather through his letters. 

"We learned that Arthur Bonifas cared deeply about the soldiers with whom he served and the people entrusted to his leadership," Brady said.  

"Through these letters, we came to know our grandfather not only as a soldier and a leader, but also as a husband, a father and a man guided by love," Dylan said. "We are also grateful to everyone who has continued to preserve his memory and honor his service and sacrifice." 

During the ceremony, Stacy Adams, Barrett's niece, also reflected on her uncle's voluntary service, military unity and loss. 

"When conflicts required their presence, our military performed expertly and professionally," Adams said. "Yet sometimes the well-coordinated force lost a member. One fell from the many. The many knew to fill the vacuum, to cover for each other, to have each other's back, but they felt the loss of the one." 

Bonifas and Barrett operated on the most front line of freedom in South Korea, and 50 years later, the United Nations Command's security battalion there continues the mission to secure the critical location with the same courage and under the same flag.

One War Department Unit Takes Next Step in Legacy of Innovation

Aug. 18, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Seven months ago, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stood before a large crowd of Lockheed Martin employees in Texas, during the third stop of his nascent Arsenal of Freedom tour, to show his appreciation for the people behind the defense industrial base.

During his remarks, Hegseth made clear that supercharging the defense industrial base, which is one of the four lines of effort in the 2026 National Defense Strategy, is something the current administration and the War Department want to see happen at a rapid clip.

"We've got to go fast. The warfighters need it; they deserve it. We've got near-peer adversaries that are building at record speed," Hegseth said. "[This] Arsenal of Freedom tour is meant to speak to you and your peers, and to tell you to keep going."   

To facilitate that need "to go fast," the War Innovation Unit — formerly the Defense Innovation Unit and still abbreviated as DIU for contractual purposes — is working to cut through red tape with the defense industrial base.  

Founded in 2015, DIU is purpose-built to accelerate the War Department's adoption of commercial technology at speed and scale to lower cost and increase combat power. Since January, it has been working to answer Hegseth's call for the expedited acquisition of commercial capabilities across the services in several ways. 

Its latest initiative is the Bridge Program.   

Conceived and developed over the past year by Sarah Pearson — a former Navy officer, technology executive and current chief of strategic initiatives at DIU — the Bridge Program was created to drive long-term, systemic reform across the War Department.

Throughout her career, Pearson has witnessed firsthand the hurdles nontraditional companies face when attempting to sell and scale commercial solutions for the military. 

Under her direction, the Bridge Program is now executing a targeted strategy to eliminate critical bottlenecks — specifically around security clearances, access to classified spaces, technology accreditations and testing.  

By dismantling these operational barriers, the program seeks to broaden the War Department's commercial engagement aperture, mitigate risks, accelerate capability development and maximize adoption rates to deliver best-in-class commercial technologies directly to the warfighter. 

The program's first line of effort focuses on evolving the model for classified space design, construction, accreditation and operation.  

By blending commercial technologies, process improvements, rapid contracting, policy and Congressional support, the department is jointly addressing each aspect of the value chain around classified infrastructure.  

"When successful, we will have demonstrated a new model, a model where classified infrastructure is resourced based upon usage and becomes operational within months — not years — of the need arising," Pearson said.  

Furthermore, she emphasized the critical importance of continued close collaboration within the War Department.  

"Our partners within three offices — the offices of the undersecretary of war for intelligence and security; acquisition and sustainment; and research and engineering — as well as the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency and the armed services have been the single greatest unlock in achieving the early success we've seen so far," Pearson said. 

DIU's Bridge Program, and the broader working group across the aforementioned organizations, had its first major contracting announcement last month, when President Donald J. Trump announced a $10 billion investment in Pennsylvania's defense industry July 16.  

The announcement included investment in four shared commercial classified facilities, one of which will be built in Pittsburgh — using the joint funding model that the Bridge Program is prototyping.  

Beyond Pittsburgh, the Bridge Program has contracted for nine additional commercially owned and operated sites across the U.S., including Austin, Texas; San Francisco; Boston; Charleston, South Carolina; Chicago; Cleveland; Louisville, Kentucky; and New York. 

Additional locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Bridge Program's second line of effort focuses on establishing the fastest and most trusted accreditation portfolio within the department — something Pearson said can't be accomplished without deep cybersecurity expertise — a thoughtful approach to risk and incorporation of the world's best artificial intelligence capabilities.

By using technology to enhance and accelerate DIU's authorization process, the Bridge Program team will condense timelines and enable greater throughput with fewer resources.

"We plan to shift the risk management framework process to the left in prototype development and build cybersecure solutions that the services can more easily field. Indexing toward accreditations for every program and sooner in development are critical to adoption," Pearson explained.

The third line of effort — test and evaluation — draws on DIU's core competency, prototyping commercially derived technologies inside the department's developmental and operational test infrastructure.

Through partnership, technology and new approaches, Pearson said DIU is building an end-to-end test approach for portfolio companies entering the prototype pipeline, with testing opportunities throughout the contract lifecycle.

The result is a process that stitches capability development together with existing and emerging test infrastructure, for both physical and digital applications.

As DIU continues to expand and implement the Bridge Program in support of Hegseth's call to revamp and expedite the acquisition process, Pearson said it will continue to lean on unprecedented partnership across the department, its history of pioneering new approaches and its deep conviction that the warfighters deserve the best capabilities available.

Competitors Display Resilience, Teamwork at Fort Drum's Mountain Mudder

Aug. 17, 2026 | By Michael Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs |

More than 1,000 Fort Drum, New York, community members answered the "call to dirty" Aug. 14, putting their laundry detergent to the test as they dove into the muck during the base's annual Mountain Mudder.

Hosted by the installation's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the grueling 5.5-mile course was a showcase of resiliency and esprit de corps. Competitors raced through 27 formidable obstacles, ranging from icy water plunges, towering rope climbs and sticky mud pits. 
 
To be sure, running shoes were separated from feet, socks went from white to gray in an instant and it even took a group effort to fish one competitor's eyeglasses out of the mud. 
 
But after completing the final obstacle — the warped wall — and receiving a medal and complimentary power-hose shower, most participants left with a profound sense of accomplishment. 
 
"I feel unbelievable," said Army Sgt. Kristen Kisner. "It was so nice to actually have this experience with some of my battle buddies." 
 
Kisner ran her first Mountain Mudder alongside fellow members of Company C, 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade. For her, the most rewarding part was helping each other overcome the course's physical demands to finish as a team. 
 
"Just working together and making sure we were staying together," she said. "Going over the walls was challenging, because some of us are really short, so we had to work as a team to actually accomplish those climbs." 
 
Kisner, who arrived at Fort Drum in the spring, is relatively new to the 10th Mountain Division. She said her job has kept her busy and participating in the event was a welcome break. 
 
"This was absolutely amazing, and I'm glad that our leaders had the time to come out and support us," she said. "Some of them did the challenge with us, so we loved that."

The event was also a first for Army Spc. Tanner Sublett, assigned to the Multipurpose Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team. He ran the course with his platoon and said the final warped wall was the day's toughest test. 
 
"But it was really a lot of fun, and I just like challenging myself," he said. "You know, seeing something that looks tough and then going out and doing it just to prove to myself that I can." 

One of his teammates, Army Pfc. Nathan Simmons, recently returned from supporting cadet training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. He said it was the challenge that drew him to the Mountain Mudder. 
 
"Honestly, I heard this was going to be tough — getting through 27 obstacles on a 5-mile course — but this was something I really wanted to do," Simmons said. "The hardest part for me was getting out of the water and running to the next obstacle — that transition when your body is weighed down from all the water. But we got through it."

Department of War and RTX Accelerate Critical Munitions Production Through Navy Tomahawk Award

Aug. 17, 2026 |

The Department of War has announced a $22.9 billion contract with Raytheon, an RTX business, awarded by the U.S. Navy, to accelerate production of the Tomahawk missile, a critical long-range strike capability. 

"The Department called upon industry to expand munitions production, and RTX has answered that call," said Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey. "This Tomahawk award increases our ability to equip the Joint Force, ensuring our Warfighters never face a fair fight." 

This contract rapidly fields capabilities to meet modern threats while providing industry partners with the stability required to expand their workforce, increase manufacturing throughput, and fortify supply chains. In addition, it advances the Department's Acquisition Transformation Strategy by accelerating critical weapons delivery and reducing procurement lead times. 

"Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount," said Acting Secretary of the Navy, Hung Cao. "This landmark $22.9 billion investment will accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed. By working closely with industry to expand our munitions industrial base’s capacity, the Department is utilizing every available tool to meet the demands of our current operations, ensuring they are equipped to fight, win, and come home safe." 

Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Munitions is a Department of the Navy organization responsible for the development, procurement, and delivery of naval munitions and strike capabilities. By unifying key weapons programs and aligning the weapons industrial base, PAE Munitions provides enterprise-level integration to accelerate production, increase capacity, and ensure the Fleet is equipped with the munitions needed to project power and win.

Department of War Orders Research Security Audits at 30 Academic Institutions

Aug. 17, 2026 |

The Department of War has issued formal notifications to 30 domestic academic institutions, directing them to initiate immediate and comprehensive reviews of their academic, financial and research collaborations with foreign entities of concern.

These notifications address active institutional ties and collaborations with foreign entities identified under Section 1286 of the FY19 NDAA, as well as organizations associated with rebranded Confucius Institutes. Executed by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, this action is designed to protect American taxpayer-funded research investments from unauthorized technology transfer, intellectual property theft and adversarial exploitation.

"The Department of War has zero tolerance for academic partnerships that compromise our national security," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "Institutions that receive funding from American taxpayers must uphold the highest standards of research security, and these mandated audits will ensure accountability across the board."

To maintain eligibility for future federal research funding, the notified universities must complete a comprehensive audit of all identified foreign collaborations, assess the exposure of sensitive or export-controlled research, and implement strict mitigation plans, including the termination of problematic partnerships. Institutions are required to report their findings and actions directly to the Department no later than August 31, 2026.

"Universities are critical partners in executing a wide range of Department of War research programs, and the Department must therefore ensure that our research investments are well protected from foreign exploitation," said Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology.

Through these audits, the Department of War will better anticipate emerging threats, adapt to evolving adversarial tactics and maintain America's position as a global leader in innovation. The Department is pursuing this effort alongside partners in Congress. Together with the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, the Department continues to build a robust research ecosystem that protects critical discoveries from exploitation.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Staff Sgt. Stanley Bender

Aug. 17, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Staff Sgt. Stanley Bender was an infantryman during World War II whose unwavering courage under extreme fire earned him the Medal of Honor. 

Bender was born to Andrew and Eva Bender Oct. 31, 1909, in Carlisle, West Virginia. His parents emigrated from the Lithuanian region of Russia. His father was a World War I Army veteran and a coal miner. 

His brothers were John, Tony and George and his sisters were Maggie and Eva. 

Bender attended school in Carlisle but dropped out after seventh grade.

The family moved to Chicago at the start of the Great Depression. Bender worked as a truck driver for 10 years before enlisting in the Illinois National Guard in December 1939. He also was a chauffeur for a department store. 

Bender married Esther Marie Tincher, April 9, 1945, and they had two daughters, Shirley Ann and Evelyn Marie. 

His Medal of Honor action took place Aug. 17, 1944, near La Londe-les-Maures, France. At the time, he was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. 

That day, Bender climbed on top of an inoperable tank in full sight of the enemy to locate the source of the withering machine-gun fire that had halted the advance of his company. 

Although bullets ricocheted off the turret near his feet, he nevertheless remained standing upright on the tank for more than two minutes. 

Locating the enemy machine guns on a knoll 200 yards away, Bender ordered two squads to cover him and led his men down an irrigation ditch, running a gauntlet of intense machine-gun fire that completely blanketed 50 yards of his advance and wounded four of his men.  

While the Germans hurled hand grenades at the ditch, Bender stood his ground until his squad caught up with him, then advanced alone in a wide flanking approach to the rear of the knoll.  

Bender walked 40 yards, without cover, in full view of the Germans and under a hail of enemy and friendly fire, to the first machine gun and knocked it out with a single short burst. Then he made his way through the strongpoint, despite bursting hand grenades, toward the second machine gun, 25 yards away, whose two-man crew fired two bursts at him. He walked calmly through the fire, reached the edge of the emplacement and dispatched the crew. 

Signaling his men to rush the rifle pits, Bender then walked 35 yards further to kill an enemy rifleman and returned to lead his squad in the destruction of the eight remaining Germans in the strongpoint.  

Bender's audacity so inspired the remainder of the assault company that the men charged out of their positions, shouting and yelling, to overpower the enemy roadblock and sweep into town, knocking out two antitank guns, killing 37 Germans and capturing 26 others.  

He led the assault company in an attack that overwhelmed the enemy, destroyed a roadblock, took a town, seized three bridges over the Maravenne River and captured commanding terrain dominating the area. 

What makes his feat even more incredible is that he was 35, one of the older soldiers. 

Prior to fighting in France, he participated in Operation Torch in North Africa in 1942, the invasion of Sicily in 1943, and the invasion of Italy and liberation of Rome in 1944. His highest rank was technical sergeant, equivalent to an E-7 in World War II-era rankings. 

After Aug. 17, 1944, he continued with his unit, fighting in France and then in Germany until the war's end in 1945.  

Army Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch III, commander of the Seventh Army, presented the Medal of Honor to Bender in France on Jan. 21, 1945. He was honorably discharged on May 19, 1945. 

After the war, Bender worked for the Veterans Administration in Beckley, West Virginia. He was a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, advocating for veterans' benefits. 

He died June 22, 1994, and is buried in High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill, West Virginia, along with his wife, who died in 2006. 

The Stanley Bender Memorial Bridge on the West Virginia Turnpike was named in his honor Nov. 9, 1954. It was later demolished as part of a highway realignment project. A second bridge on the West Virginia Turnpike was named for him in 1987. 

There is also a Sergeant Stanley Bender Bridge in La Londe-les-Maures, France, close to where his Medal of Honor action occurred. 

Bender, along with legendary Air Force Col. Chuck Yeager, participated in a June 1963 Centennial Day parade in Charleston, West Virginia. 

The Darius-Girėnas American Legion Post dedicated a memorial to Bender in the Brighton Park area of Chicago. He was a member of that post following the war. 

His Medal of Honor is on display at the West Virginia State Museum in Charleston, West Virginia.

Centcom Launches First-Ever Multinational Attack Drone Task Force

Aug. 14, 2026 | By U.S. Central Command |

U.S. Central Command announced efforts to establish the first multidomain, multinational attack drone task force yesterday.

The unit, called Task Force Falcon Strike, will employ one-way attack drones consisting of unmanned systems from above, on and below the sea, operated by military support staff from the United States and regional partners.

Falcon Strike's launch occurs nine months after Centcom established Task Force Scorpion Strike, the U.S. military's first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.

Scorpion Strike rapidly achieved key operational milestones, including the first launch of an aerial attack drone from a Navy warship last December. The squadron also employed one-way unmanned aerial systems during Operation Epic Fury and during strikes on Iranian port facilities in July using unmanned attack vessels at sea.

"Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on Scorpion Strike's success given the tremendous innovation happening among our regional allies and partners," said Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, Centcom commander. "Integrating and deploying our new capabilities together will help us rapidly realize the new possibilities that are on the horizon."

Centcom has initiated consultations with official invitations to regional partners. As regional partners formally join, Task Force Falcon Strike will scale attack drone capabilities across the Middle East into a unified multidomain, multinational deterrent.

"The United States military has a lot of strong partnerships and friends in the region," Cooper said. "We are collectively stronger when we integrate and deploy new capabilities together."

Personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command Central, which launched Scorpion Strike, will lead Falcon Strike's staff of U.S. and regional representatives.

Southcom Mission Shifts to Protecting Sovereignty of U.S., Partner Nations

Aug. 13, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

At the Combined Jungle Training Center-South in Cristobal Colon, Panama, yesterday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with U.S. service members who are learning how to survive in the most brutal, unforgiving jungles of the Western Hemisphere, all while retaining their combat effectiveness.

The visit coincided with the secretary's address during the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, a U.S.-led multinational security and political alliance formed to combat transnational drug cartels, reduce illegal migration across the Western Hemisphere and limit foreign geopolitical interference. It also coincided with Exercise Panamax 2026, a multinational military exercise hosted by Panama and sponsored by U.S. Southern Command. 

In the dense jungle on the northern side of the Panama Canal, Hegseth told service members at the training center that what they are doing is exactly what he likes to see when he meets with warfighters. 

"I think this is what ... the warrior ethos looks like; it's what reestablishing it looks like," he said. "It happens in training centers like this, with Americans like this, who do really difficult things in really tough places." 

While at the training center, Hegseth met with instructors assigned to the Jungle Operations Training Course-Panama, along with Marines assigned to Littoral Combat Force-24, who were in Panama to participate in Panamax.

The secretary said the service members who train at the center are willing to do things no other Americans are willing to do, to include helping U.S. allies in both Central and South America protect the nation's backyard. 

"That's what we're doing here with the A3C [and with] Panamax ... expanding peace through strength in our hemisphere, right here in the jungles with our partners," he said. 

Noting a big shift in the Southcom mission, Hegseth said that just 18 months ago, the command was less focused on protecting the Americas and deterring threats. 

 

"This is a different Southcom; this is a different mission," he said. "We are focused on military capabilities against real threats who need to be deterred and defeated, and we're going to give them everything they need to do it, on behalf of the American people." 

The secretary said that under President Donald J. Trump, Southcom's mission has focused on working with partners in the region to keep everybody safe from a variety of shared threats. 

"We know exactly what that mission looks like," he said. "We're empowering commanders like [Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan] to do it in Southcom; we're working with partners like Panama, like Ecuador, like Colombia ... they're going to send students here soon to swim across this very same river, [to] be a part of this very same training." 

The nations involved in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition — 19 nations in all, with Colombia signing on just yesterday — are going to be involved in the same training as U.S. service members in Panama. The secretary said that the same things that necessitate American jungle training also motivate every other nation in the region. 

"It turns out, in the [Western] Hemisphere, they face the very same security challenges, the same threat of drugs, the same threat of criminal cartels that threaten their citizens, the same ones that threaten our citizens," Hegseth said. 

U.S. law enforcement personnel stationed at the U.S. southern border to stop illegal immigration and drug traffickers, combined with training across Central and South America in places such as Ecuador, Colombia and Panama, puts increasing pressure on shared threats. 

"That's going after the enemies of our country — designated terrorist organizations — unabashedly," Hegseth said. 

Earlier in the day, the secretary announced the new motto of the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition: "We do bad things to bad people." 

"For too long, bad people did bad things to good people, inside the United States of America and across Central and South America," he said. "We're going to empower great Americans and great partners to do really good stuff and be very capable about bringing violence against drug cartels and designated terrorist organizations, because we're dead serious about securing the homeland." 

A big part of that is the Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. In 1823, President James Monroe articulated a foreign policy, now known as the Monroe Doctrine, which declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to further colonization efforts or interference by European nations. Later, that expanded to include interference by any foreign power. 

In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added to that doctrine that the U.S. could intervene in the affairs of Latin America to protect U.S. interests. 

And now, Hegseth said, there is Trump's corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. 

"It is a recognition that [designated terrorist organizations] ... will not control our hemisphere ... and we will not allow foreign malign influence to take over ... key terrain like the Panama Canal," he said. 

Hegseth said Colombia's inclusion in the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition is significant. 

"The A3C had formed, but in some ways, it missed part of its core," he said. "Colombia is going to be [an] incredible partner. They offered to be a headquarters or a hub for the A3C as the brand-new 19th member. They've got ... hundreds of thousands of capable members of their military and decades of training with the United States ... that mil-to-mil relationship has been long-standing, and that's why they're coming to this jungle course soon."

Army Reserve Engineers Train Across Multiple Missions During Exercise Northern Strike

Aug. 13, 2026 | By Army Sgt. De'Vante Martin, 412th Theater Engineer Command |

Army Reserve soldiers assigned to two engineering companies spent the first week of Exercise Northern Strike 26-2, Aug. 1-7, moving between water operations, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense training, live demolitions and preparations for urban operations at Camp Grayling, Michigan.

The range of training gave soldiers experience beyond their usual engineering tasks while showing how those skills fit alongside maneuver forces. 

For Army Capt. Brandon Lalonde, 428th Combat Engineer Company-Infantry commander, that connection is an important part of Northern Strike. 

"The maneuver part, though, is something that generally we avoid when we plan training; and I think there's some shame in that because you don't really get to see how security is established, how people move forward on the battlefield [and] where the engineers fit in the mission," Lalonde said. "We need to see the bigger picture." 

On Aug. 3, soldiers conducted helocast operations, exiting a hovering aircraft into the water before making their way to shore. They later moved into CBRN training that included protective mask procedures, decontamination and mission-oriented protective posture operations.  

The next day, they trained with M18A1 claymore mines and selectable lightweight attack munitions and worked through emplacement procedures before conducting live detonations.

"This training is critical to building our unit's readiness and combat effectiveness," said Army 1st Lt. Parker Mock, 365th Engineer Company officer in charge during the event. "Northern Strike provides soldiers with realistic, large-scale training in an [immersive] environment, allowing them to integrate with joint and partner forces while employing emerging technologies and capabilities."

Service members assigned to the 428th Combat Engineer Company-Infantry also worked with industry partners to learn about emerging engineer technologies. Later in the week, soldiers began planning and preparing for urban operations at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility at Camp Grayling. 

Moving from one event to another required soldiers to apply different skills and work through changing mission requirements. 

"Northern Strike prepares soldiers for real-world missions by replicating the complexity and pace of today's operational environment," Mock said. "This experience develops adaptable, disciplined and mission-ready soldiers who are better prepared to operate and win in large-scale combat operations." 

By the end of the week, the soldiers had trained in the air and water, worked with protective equipment, conducted live demolitions and prepared for operations in an urban setting. The different events allowed the engineers to practice their technical skills while seeing how their work supports other elements on the battlefield.

Utah National Guard Aviation Crews Support Wildfire Response

Aug. 12, 2026 | By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tim Beery, Utah National Guard |

The Utah Army National Guard is supporting wildfire response efforts across Utah, putting specialized aviation capabilities to work alongside local and government firefighting agencies as wildfires continue to challenge communities across the state.

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion are conducting water bucket drops over the Rocky Canyon Fire in Morgan County, Utah, to slow the fire's spread.  

"We have two UH-60 Black Hawks and aircrew members and support personnel who are helping with fire suppression activities on this fire," said Army Lt. Col. Penny McCarthy, battalion commander. 

Guard members began wildfire support Aug. 5, assisting with the Black Canyon Fire in Sanpete County, Utah. Several days later, the mission shifted to the Rocky Canyon Fire. When local authorities request assistance, the Utah National Guard is activated to support emergency response efforts through the state's department of emergency management and the governor's office. 

"We stand ready to support our state when these types of incidents occur," McCarthy said. 

Soldiers quickly transitioned from training to real-world operations. For the pilots and aircrews, that means long days, multiple flights and repeated water bucket drops. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris Aylstock, a pilot supporting the mission in Morgan County, said crews are working approximately 12-hour shifts, with pilots sometimes spending seven to eight hours in the air. 

"We fly out there, get gas, get the word to launch, get on the fire, do a full fuel cycle, come back, get gas, shove a sandwich down the throat, go back out and do another fuel cycle," Aylstock said.

The demanding schedule requires careful planning and continuity between crews. Pilots are rotated through the mission while maintaining overlap between shifts so crews arriving for duty understand the fire and the operation's current status. 

"We try to have at least five pilots doing some kind of overlap each day," Aylstock said. "That way, we just have some experience going from one day to the next."

It takes an entire unit to keep the aircraft in the fight. Each helicopter undergoes meticulous maintenance to ensure effectiveness. 

"We have our maintainers back at [the base] turning wrenches and working overtime to get these aircraft ready to launch each morning," Aylstock said. "This really is an all-hands-on-deck push to get these crews out the door. Before each day's mission, crews receive updated maps, frequencies and information about the fire before launching from their staging location."  

Each morning, crews fly from West Jordan, Utah, to Morgan County, then conduct an operational briefing with fire managers and receive the information they need to integrate safely into the larger firefighting effort. While on the fire, Utah Army National Guard helicopters use 530-gallon buckets to drop water on areas identified by fire managers. 

Aylstock said the aircraft supports the priorities of the incident commanders with direct attacks on the fire, supporting backburning operations, pretreating vegetation with water and providing structure protection, all while working in conjunction with other aerial assets and ground crews. 

The operation requires constant coordination with other aircraft. Air tankers and helicopters share the same airspace, requiring National Guard crews to adjust their timing and routes throughout the day. 

The distance between the water source, staging area and fire can also affect how many drops a crew can make during a shift. Aylstock said one of his flight days included 48 bucket drops, with crews adjusting their operations as the fire and mission changed. 

The guard members start preparing months before wildfire season begins.  

"Our battalion has firefighting capability. It is something that we practice ... all the way up until our fire season starts on April 1, so that we are prepared to respond to any kind of incident," McCarthy said. "We do a lot of coordination with our partners from the Department of Natural Resources, the United States Forest Service and local agencies to gain education and coordination so that we're best prepared for fires when our firefighting season kicks off," she added.  Aircrews also conduct flight evaluations and training specifically designed to prepare them for firefighting missions.

"A lot of the tasks that we do, and our training flights, [are] very closely aligned with this type of mission, when we're called upon to respond to fires," McCarthy said. 

That preparation is particularly important because wildfire aviation missions carry significant risks and require experienced crews. Aylstock said pilots assigned to serve as fire pilots typically have extensive flight experience, and the unit deliberately rotates experienced pilots through the mission to build depth across the battalion.  

For the crews flying the Rocky Canyon Fire, the long hours and demanding conditions are balanced by the knowledge that their work directly supports communities in their own state. 

"One of the most important things that we do on these fires, of course, is preserving life, preserving property and easing human suffering," McCarthy said. "And it just hits different when it's our neighbors." Some soldiers in the battalion live in or have family members in communities affected by wildfires, making the mission particularly personal. 

For the soldiers flying above the fire, the mission is more than a training requirement. It is an opportunity to put years of preparation and experience to work protecting the communities they call home. 

"It's really important for us; it's a tremendous honor for us to be able to support the firefighting efforts when we're called upon, especially when it's just right in our own backyard," McCarthy said.

National Guard Continues Washington Wildfire Support

 Aug. 11, 2026 | By Joseph Siemandel, Washington National Guard |

As wildfires burn across the state, the Washington National Guard continues to provide aviation, hand crew and security support to communities and firefighters working to contain them. 

Since the wildfire response began July 19, National Guard aviation crews have flown 225 flight hours, dropping more than 1,400 buckets and nearly 1.2 million gallons of water on fires across eastern and central Washington. 

While weather, winds and smoke conditions play a major part in day-to-day operations, for the aircrews flying those missions, the overall conditions pose unique challenges. 

"These aircrews are performing some of the most tactically and technically challenging flying they will experience in their entire careers," said Army Lt. Col. Kevin Robillard, a pilot assigned to the 96th Aviation Troop Command. 

Robillard said crews are navigating high altitudes, high winds, limited visibility, heavy smoke and extreme heat, while operating around civilian aircraft, firefighters on the ground and areas where radio communications can be limited. 

"I would argue that, in many respects, this flying is every bit as challenging — if not more challenging — than combat flying," he said. 

The mission requires more than skilled aircrews. Fuelers, maintainers, flight operations personnel and military liaisons work behind the scenes to keep aircraft in the air and crews ready to respond. 

"And so far, our crews are doing an absolutely fantastic job," Robillard said. "I'm incredibly proud of our aircrews and our ground support personnel. They are absolutely crushing it while operating in some of the harshest conditions and most demanding flying environments an aircrew will ever experience." 

The National Guard's support also extends to the ground. Since Aug. 1, hand crews have been working alongside firefighting agencies from across the country. Crews are conducting fire line construction, hose lays, mop-up, debris clearing, brushing and chipping operations at a fire near Leavenworth, Washington. The hand crews have provided additional manpower for demanding ground operations. 

"Your [National Guard] team is great," said Craig Covey, incident manager for the fire near Leavenworth. "We have 105 go-getters that come in and say, 'What can we do?' And they work all day until we tell them it's time to stop. We really enjoy having them here."  

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, Washington's 8th Congressional District representative, recently visited guard personnel and firefighters supporting the fire mission near Leavenworth to give thanks. 

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and everything that you are doing for Washington," Schrier said. 

In Spokane, Washington, National Guardsmen are supporting local authorities by manning 20 traffic control points for the Spokane Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.  

For Army Lt. Col. Dan Wessman, Washington National Guard, the mission has provided a unique opportunity to serve his community. 

"As a Spokane guy myself, I am truly humbled about the community and the outpouring of support for all our soldiers and airmen and the first responders who are here to help," Wessman said.

Currently, 345 Washington National Guardsmen, as well as 20 Washington State Guard members, are activated in support of wildfire missions. Their impact can be felt in the communities they are serving. 

"Our job is to be there when Washington needs us, and that's exactly what our soldiers and airmen are doing," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, Washington National Guard adjutant general. "We're bringing the capabilities of the National Guard to the table, working alongside the agencies leading these responses and doing whatever we can to help protect Washington communities. Whether it's putting water on a fire, building fire lines, clearing debris or supporting local law enforcement, our people are ready to serve wherever they're needed."