Face of Defense: Soldier Fights Back From Cancer Diagnosis to Become a Drill Sergeant and CrossFit Athlete

Oct. 1, 2026 | By Army Sgt. Katherine Devereaux, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve |

Sgt. 1st Class Samantha Lamirand was mid-career and moving fast when a routine test came back with two words: cervical cancer.

Job: Drill Sergeant / Combat Engineer

Stationed: Round Rock Armed Forces Reserve Center, Texas

Unit: Company D, 1st Battalion, 355th Regiment

"I had these plans to do something big and grand with my life," she said. "It felt like everything just came to a screeching halt."

Today, Lamirand is a combat engineer, a drill sergeant and a competitive CrossFit athlete on the Army's Warrior Fitness Team. Five years ago, she was a Soldier navigating a health crisis at a difficult moment in her career.

Lamirand was in the middle of submitting a packet for a civil affairs assignment, one that required a full medical screening, when the results turned up something she never expected: human papillomavirus, or HPV, that had already progressed to cervical cancer.

"They told me one of my results came back different, positive or undecided, they weren't totally sure," she said. "So they had me get tested again, and when I got the call, they said, 'Hey, it turns out you have HPV.'"

Lamirand had no reservations about the lessons she learned from the experience and the impact it could have on others. "I'm not afraid to talk about it. People should know this stuff, because I didn't know it myself," she reflected. "The HPV vaccine wasn't even around yet when I was young, and it turned into cancer just like that."

Her doctors recommended a loop electrosurgical excision procedure, a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal, precancerous cells from the cervix. The procedure worked and the cancer never returned, but it left her with lasting effects that required ongoing pelvic floor therapy, something she still lives with today.

After her surgery, Lamirand requested a medical stabilization to stay at her current unit for a year so she could finish treatment with the doctors who already knew her case. Her orders, however, had her scheduled to move across the country to serve in Georgia. Lamirand's request for stabilization was not approved and she left active duty, disillusioned and demoralized.

"To be honest, I was just really angry," she said. "I think I was doing a lot of things in spite of a lot of people, which is not healthy." That anger became fuel for a while, but it had a shelf life. "Anger can only drag you so far. It worked at the time, but it doesn't work for very long."

What actually got her through was therapy. "I started going to behavioral health, I started seeing a therapist," she said. "I really believe in therapy. I think it's a great resource, and it really helps keep you grounded."

That's also where she started learning to invest in her own career. "I think if it wasn't for that diagnosis and some doors closing, I wouldn't have learned how to advocate for myself. Now I really am kicking down doors. No one's going to care more about you and your career than you."

Lamirand had accepted that she was getting out of the Army entirely. Then, during her transition briefings, a U.S. Army Reserve recruiter made her an offer she didn't expect. They wanted her, wanted her immediately in her chosen military occupational specialty, or MOS, and were prepared to give her a bonus to make it happen. Lamirand accepted the offer and joined Company D, 1st Battalion, 355th Regiment, beginning a new chapter in the Army Reserve.

"I got into a really healthy dynamic with the Reserve, where I had more flexibility," she said. During her first drill weekend, her unit gave her a coin for maxing her physical training test. It was a small gesture that meant a lot. "I drove home tearing up," she said. "This might be it. This might be the change I need."

That flexibility gave her room to chase something else: a spot on the Army's Warrior Fitness Team. Lamirand got her start as a teenager training to be a competitive surfer, when her parents' CrossFit habit rubbed off on her. It wasn't until she joined the Army Reserve, with the flexibility to actually train, that she made the team.

When an injury sidelined the team's commander, Capt. Catherine Cunningham, before a competition, Lamirand got the call to fill in alongside teammates she'd never even trained with before, Capt. Marie Docken and Staff Sgt. Kooper Fordyce of the Accessions Mission Support Battalion's Outreach Company, and Sgt. Michael Hagerman of the Chicago South Side Recruiting Battalion. Together, they took third place.

"Everything I had gone through, all the things I thought were setbacks, it finally brought me to this moment where I was very proud," she said.

That finish wasn't a one-time thing. Lamirand and her team most recently competed in the Pro Team Division at the Fittest Experience in Taylor, Texas, taking home another third-place podium finish and two individual event wins, along with an invitation to compete at the Fittest Experience Invitational later this year.

This September, Lamirand will step onto a new kind of course as one of six Soldier subject matter experts selected for "Field Tested," an Amazon-produced competition broadcast nationally on Twitch. Civilian competitors will take on Army-inspired physical and mental challenges, and Lamirand will coach them through it, sharing her own story on camera. 

"I hope it makes people want to take on the challenge themselves, whether that's finding a gym, talking to a recruiter, or just stepping outside their comfort zone," she said. "I love challenging myself, and I hope this encourages other people to do the same."

Lamirand is currently finishing her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Middle Tennessee State University. Her advice to any Soldier facing a health setback is simple. "You're going to get back what you put in," she said. Her answer to anyone facing a hard diagnosis of their own doesn't waver.

"No one cares more about you than you," she said. "Any decision is better than no decision. Make a decision, commit to it, and don't let anyone's opinion deter you from what you think you should be doing." She thinks about it the way she thinks about everything now: long view, no regrets. "If I were 80-plus years old, sitting on a porch in a rocking chair, could I say with confidence that I lived to the fullest of my abilities, how I wanted to, and not how other people wanted me to?"

For Samantha Lamirand, the answer, finally, is yes.

Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on the Department of War's Historic Increase to Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay

Oct. 1, 2026 The Department of War releases updates to Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) and Imminent Danger Pay (IDP), marking the first major adjustment to these special duty pays in more than two decades. The increased rates are designed to appropriately compensate Service members for the varying levels of operational risk they face while serving the United States around the world. The updated policy increases the monthly rate for HFP to $450 and the monthly rate for IDP to $275, effective October 1, 2026. Since October 2002, both HFP and IDP pay have been set at a flat monthly rate of $225. The new tiered model better reflects the differences between serving in an area where danger is possible and facing hostile fire. Application of the new rates: HFP will be issued at the full monthly rate of $450 for any month in which a Service member is exposed to a hostile fire event. IDP will be prorated at $9.16 per day, up to a maximum of $275 per month, based on the number of days a Service member is present in a designated imminent danger area. If an IDP-designated area escalates into active combat, commanders can transition personnel from IDP to HFP immediately. This provides a clear and timely mechanism to acknowledge heightened risk levels. Consistent with Department policy, Service members may not receive both HFP and IDP for the same period of service. Service members and their families are encouraged to consult their command financial specialists or local finance offices for detailed information on how these changes will appear on the Leave and Earnings Statements (LES). Finance personnel will also be available to answer questions regarding individual entitlements and eligibility. The Department, under 37 U.S. Code § 351, is granted statutory authority to increase HFP to a maximum amount of $450 per month and IDP to a maximum amount of $275 per month, as authorized by Congress and outlined in federal law and the National Defense Authorization Act. The Secretary of War is authorized to establish any amount up to the statutory ceiling. The memorandum can be found here.

Secretary Hegseth Announces Six Major Initiatives at Quantico Speech

Sept. 30, 2026 |

Over the last two years under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's leadership, the Department has been relentlessly reshaped to focus on lethality, the warfighters, and rapid modernization. Today, the Secretary continues that momentum by unveiling six major strategic initiatives that will govern the Department's direction for years to come. 

Speaking directly to active-duty E-6s and O-3s at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the Secretary bypassed traditional Pentagon bureaucracy to brief the tactical-level officers and non-commissioned officers who will execute these reforms at the ground level. The Secretary's framework establishes the Autonomous Warfare Command, creates a new Corps of Cadets, launches the "FORTRESS" (Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability) readiness program, initiates the Next Great American Base project, stands up the Office of Religious Affairs, and kicks off Project Meridian, signaling a bold new era of warfighter-first leadership.

Autonomous Warfare Command
The establishment of the Autonomous Warfare Command represents the fastest peacetime operational shift in modern military history, designed to scale autonomous warfare across the Joint Force as a 4-star functional combatant command by October 1, 2027. Building on the success of the Department's Drone Dominance program, which has delivered thousands of robotic systems to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, the Secretary is directing DRPM UxS to lead Project Agincourt.
 
To lead this historic transition, Secretary Hegseth appointed Owen West, the current Director of DIU, and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser, the first enlisted SEAL to graduate from Navy Test Pilot School, to direct DRPM UxS under a unique CEO-COO partnership.

Please find the memo creating the Autonomous Warfare Command here. 

America's Corps of Cadets
America's Corps of Cadets is a new War Department program established to expand the pipeline of patriotic leaders of character commissioning into the Joint Force. Building on the existing Corps of Cadets at the nation's six Senior Military Colleges, the initiative partners with a new set of premier institutions—Louisiana State University, Liberty University, Tuskegee University, Mississippi State University, and Hillsdale College—to create additional full-time Corps of Cadets programs. Each participating school is designated a "Distinguished Military College," a revived category that requires exceptionally high standards of cadet discipline, tactical instruction, and military organization. These institutions also receive "Honor School" status, which provides priority in officer commissioning. The program addresses the need for more officers grounded in the Constitution, Western civilization, American heritage, and the warrior ethos at a time when many traditional commissioning sources have drifted from those foundations. By embedding continuous military discipline and leadership development into these new partner schools, America's Corps of Cadets aims to grow the number of officers who are patriotic, rigorous, and prepared to lead and defend the Republic.

Please find the memo for America's Corps of Cadets here. 

FORTRESS America
FORTRESS America (Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability) is the Department of War's national insurance policy for the American homeland. Launched at the direction of the Secretary of War, it ends decades of quiet dependence that left the world's most powerful military reliant on foreign mines for rare earths, overseas factories for microchips, foreign supply chains for weapons, and the civilian power grid to keep bases operational.

The initiative ensures that every major U.S. military installation generates its own independent power so bases remain lit, aircraft fly, and command centers stay online even if the civilian grid is taken down by cyberattack or sabotage. It brings critical supply chains home—rare earths, specialty metals, semiconductors, and propellants—mined, refined, and built in America by American workers. It builds deep strategic reserves of munitions, fuel, medicine, and blood sufficient to fight through disruption when global supply lines break. It hardens every installation on American soil against cyber intrusion, sabotage, and drones. And it secures the high ground and the airwaves—satellites, spectrum, and the ability to see, navigate, and communicate—so the force is never blinded or silenced.

Please find the memo for FORTRESS America here. 

Next Great American Base
The Next Great American Base project rejects the legacy playbook of decaying military facilities, launching a bold initiative to build a premier, world-class power projection platform from the ground up. This state-of-the-art installation will host elite troops across hundreds of thousands of acres. Engineered to operate completely off the commercial grid, it will feature independent power generation, autonomous systems, and advanced air defenses.
 
In line with the President's executive orders on Beautiful Civic Architecture, the base will feature timeless, classical designs, providing first-class facilities. Rather than backroom deals, the Department is launching a transparent, merit-based competition, inviting governors and adjutants general to pitch their plans directly to senior leadership. The state that cuts the most red tape and offers the best package of land and support will win the historic honor of hosting the most lethal, modern, and beautiful military installation on the planet.

Please find the memo for Next Great American Base here. 

Office of Religious Affairs
The Department of War is elevating spiritual readiness as a core element of combat effectiveness with the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs, a direct-report office to the Secretary of War charged with driving Department-wide policy, resource advocacy, and action. Wars are fought by people, and the strength of the force depends not only on weapons, training, and technology, but also on the resilience, conviction, and moral strength of those who serve. ORA will ensure religious affairs are no longer dispersed across distant bureaucratic layers, giving senior leaders a dedicated capability to protect free exercise, remove policy barriers, identify unmet requirements, and secure the support needed for the Service chaplaincies to succeed. 

The Service chaplaincies will remain the Department's primary providers of religious support; ORA will give them a powerful advocate at the highest level of the Department. The office will not compel religious participation, favor one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof. Instead, it will help ensure every member of the Force has voluntary, meaningful access to religious support and community that fosters purpose and resilience needed to endure hardship, deployment, combat, and loss.

Please find the memo for Office of Religious Affairs here. 

Project Meridian
Secretary Hegseth has commissioned Project Meridian to secure America's long-term military superiority by identifying the capabilities required to achieve absolute technological dominance on the next-generation battlefield. Project Meridian will examine the full spectrum of future warfighting domains, from subterranean depths to the cislunar frontier. The Department of War's Chief Technology Officer, Emil Michael, is facilitating the Department's commissioning of Project Meridian, which will be co-directed by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich, and supported by a team of elite academic, policy, and industry experts. To ensure timely execution, Secretary Hegseth has directed this landmark project to be completed within 120 days of its establishment, culminating in an unclassified, publicly released final report containing critical findings and recommendations, accompanied by a classified annex.

By leveraging the nation's premier private-sector innovators, business leaders, and technologists, Project Meridian will discover and accelerate the fielding of advanced systems needed to guarantee decisive deterrence. Should deterrence fail, our warfighters must enter any future conflict with the technological advantage secured through today's foresight, resolve, and preparation. American victory requires informing our Arsenal of Freedom with the lethal effects needed to sustain peace through strength. Project Meridian will present the proactive vision for shaping American dominance in the future of warfare.

Please find the memo for Project Meridian here. 

Readout of 17th U.S.-Qatar Military Consultative Commission and 21st U.S.-Bahrain Military Consultative Committee

Sept. 30, 2026 |

From September 20-25, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War (DASW) for Near East and Central Asia Michael P. DiMino IV traveled to Qatar and Bahrain to co-chair the 17th U.S.-Qatar Military Consultative Commission (MCC) and 21st U.S.-Bahrain Military Consultative Committee (MCC) alongside representatives of the Joint Staff, U.S. Central Command, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and the Department of State.

In Doha, DASW DiMino led the 17th annual U.S.-Qatar MCC alongside Qatar Major General Ali Al Kuwari. The delegations exchanged views on regional security and identified priority efforts to further enhance Qatar's defensive capabilities and interoperability with U.S. forces. Qatar agreed to explore expansion of its maintenance and sustainment facilities for common platforms, including PATRIOT, and strengthen cooperation in defense-relevant critical minerals. DASW DiMino also met with Qatar's Minister of Defense, Sheikh Saoud Al Thani and Qatar's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Jassim Al Mannai and visited U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base.

In Manama, DASW DiMino co-chaired the 21st U.S.-Bahrain MCC with Bahrain's Minister of Defense Affairs H.E. Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Noaimi. The delegations assessed regional security challenges and discussed opportunities for Bahrain to continue integrating with U.S. forces and investing in its defensive counter-air capabilities, including the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). Bahrain also committed to participate in Task Force Falcon Strike, CENTCOM's multi-domain, multi-national drone task force, enabling Bahraini forces to increasingly leverage these capabilities in support of regional deterrence.

Hegseth Delivers 'State of the Force' Address, Outlines Series of New Initiatives

Sept. 30, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a speech on the status of the military today, during which he announced six new initiatives for the War Department. 

Speaking to both a broadcast audience and 600 O-3 officers and E-6 enlisted service members at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth began by recounting the successful progress he has seen across the department over the past year. 

"For almost two years, you've heard me talk — over and over — about three core priorities: reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence. And I'm proud to stand on this stage and report that the warrior ethos has been revived, our military is being rebuilt and American deterrence is back," he said early in his remarks. 

The secretary went on to emphasize the high recruitment and retention numbers over the past year, mention that military standards that existed in 1990 are back in 2026 and discuss the "E-6/O-3 Rule" — the concept that asks whether a policy, procedure or decision helps or hinders the operational effectiveness and daily reality of an E-6 and/or O-3. 

"We fight to win. Clear missions, full hearts, hands untied. It's all I ever wanted as a platoon leader, and it's all my E-6 squad leaders ever wanted. … We let our leaders fight their formations, and then we have their back. It's simple, yet you know in your business it's incredibly powerful and liberating," Hegseth said. 

After recapping the past year and reemphasizing the War Department's priorities of strengthening the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and maintaining peace through strength via deterrence, Hegseth outlined his six new initiatives: 

• The creation of a new 4-star level combatant command: Autonomous Warfare Command. 
• An effort to study the future of warfare titled "Project Meridian." 
• A future program that aims to align basing and infrastructure projects to ensure they are collectively advancing toward greater independence titled, federal operations for resilience, troop resources, energy, supply and survivability, or "Fortress America." 
• Calling for a new, state-of-the-art military installation through a project titled, "The Next Great American Base." 
• Expanding the ranks of future leaders commissioning into the joint force through a program that expands military training beyond the country's military service academies and six military colleges to additional institutions of higher learning, titled "America's Corps of Cadets." 
• Establishing an Office of Religious Affairs. 

Regarding the new combatant command, Autowarcom, Hegseth said that once established, it will focus on building autonomous and robotic capabilities across the joint force in "the fastest peacetime shift in modern history." 

Additionally, the secretary announced that he has directed the direct reporting portfolio manager for unmanned systems to lead "Project Agincourt," an organization that will establish the pathway for Autowarcom, as well as to execute the existing unmanned systems mission while prototyping a new acquisition model. 

Hegseth also said new military occupational specialties will be created in each military department to support the shift to autonomy. 

"Today, with … Autowarcom, we institutionalize — and we supercharge — the era of [super intelligence], robotics and autonomous systems, all in order to win," he said. 

Turning next to Project Meridian, Hegseth said the Pentagon's chief technology officer would partner with members of the private sector to study the future of warfare, and that the project is not about developing new strategies or policies. 

"Rather, its purpose is to creatively look into the future and identify the domains we must conquer, and capabilities we must master … to achieve technological and military dominance on the battlefield for decades to come; it is futuristic, on purpose," Hegseth said. 

Regarding the Fortress America program, Hegseth said it calls for every American military installation to eventually run under its own power, hardening every installation on American soil against intrusion and bringing critical supply chains home. 

"No matter the circumstance, this department will have the power, the equipment and the supplies you need to take the fight to the enemy. … The Department of War will be the insurance policy for the entire nation," he said. 

Hegseth's talk of Fortress America then segued into discussing the concept behind The Next Great American Base project, which he said will be a dynamic, self-sustaining power projection platform, and that leaders of every state in the union would be able to provide a "sales pitch" as to why the new installation should be in their state. 

"If your state wants the honor of hosting 15,000 to 25,000 of America's great troops, show us why and how you're going to do it — cutting through the red tape, offering up the land and rolling out the red carpet for our military families," Hegseth said. 

Regarding America's Corps of Cadets, the secretary said the Pentagon is partnering with six universities to increase the number of leaders who can commission into the military.  

"By embedding continuous military discipline and leadership development into new institutions — by growing our Corps of Cadets — the War Department will ensure our republic is defended by even more officers of unwavering character and patriotism," Hegseth said. 

Turning to his final of the six initiatives, that of the Office of Religious Affairs, Hegseth said religious services in the military have been neglected and bureaucratized for too long. 

"Ninety-five percent of our force recognizes an Almighty God. Accordingly, our department has a sacred duty: first-class religious support, wherever we send our warriors," Hegseth said. He also noted that the new office will report directly to the secretary of war's office to cut through red tape. 

"This is not going to be a paper-pushing shop; it's going to have real teeth. It'll protect budgets, demand infrastructure and strengthen religious support," Hegseth said. 

The secretary emphasized that the six announcements were all for the warfighters, as he and the War Department view them as the top 1% of society. 

"You are warriors; with that title comes great expectations. So, go forth this day and do good things, hard things. President [Donald J.] Trump has your back, and so do I," Hegseth said. 

"We are the War Department, and we never back down — Godspeed," he concluded. 

Today's State of the Force speech came exactly one year to the day since Hegseth announced a series of new directives aimed at strengthening the War Department's people and culture to the U.S. military's most senior leaders, also at Quantico.

75th Field Artillery Brigade, Singapore Complete Monthlong Exercise

Sept. 29, 2026 | By Army Capt. Lydia Laga, 75th Field Artillery Brigade |

Soldiers assigned to the 75th Field Artillery Brigade and the Singapore Armed Forces successfully concluded Exercise Daring Warrior 2026, finishing the bilateral training event with a decisive joint live-fire operation Sept. 22.

The monthlong exercise marked another year of deep tactical integration, highlighting the combined capabilities of both nations' artillery formations. Rather than serving as a mere showcase of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade's lethality, the training emphasized hands-on, joint execution, with Singaporean crews training shoulder to shoulder with the brigade as equals.

"Things are going really well," said Army Maj. Micah Thompson, the operations officer for the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment. "Both sides are rehearsing techniques that we would employ operationally. We are exposing both U.S. and Singaporean soldiers to each other's techniques and deepening the relationship it takes to execute complex operations."

More than a routine training event, Daring Warrior is an annual exercise that allows Singaporean High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crews to train and certify at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, while working alongside U.S. Army field artillery formations. This year, the exercise served as a critical proving ground for the brigade's ability to coordinate complex combat operations alongside international forces, focusing heavily on building high-level tactical and technical interoperability.

The 75th Field Artillery Brigade integrated its specialized support units directly into the daily training matrix. On the observation posts, the brigade's fire support teams co-located with Singaporean strike observer mission teams to observe and adjust fires. Simultaneously, U.S. radar crews and meteorological teams provided real-time atmospheric updates. This practical coordination ensured that both forces could operate as a single, synchronized team using the brigade's extensive support network.

For the 3-13th, the exercise provided a highly focused opportunity for Bravo Battery to refine crew precision and master rocket artillery fundamentals in a demanding, realistic field environment.

"This exercise allows us to foster positive relationships with our partners," Thompson said. "Specifically, for this training, we get to practice interoperability both for fire-mission processing and to rehearse the logistical partnership needed to facilitate partner nation live-fire operations."

Following a series of professional exchanges, tactical discussions and bilateral rehearsals, the training culminated in the joint live-fire exercise. Multiple Launch Rocket Systems from Bravo Battery, 3-13th Field Artillery Regiment and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from the Singapore Armed Forces fired in close coordination, utilizing the joint radar and meteorological data networks.

The successful exercise not only proved the readiness of the individual rocket crews but also reinforced III Armored Corps' enduring commitment to building lethal, combat-credible forces alongside global partners.

By training shoulder to shoulder as equals, both nations did not just share a training area; they also forged a unified, combat-ready front. This shared dedication to warfighting excellence ensures that whenever the call comes, the 75th Field Artillery Brigade remains ready to deliver decisive, devastating fires anywhere in the world.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Signs Directive Halting Tenured Civilian Positions at U.S. Military Service Academies

Sept. 29, 2026 |

The Department of War continues to reform our educational institutions to ensure they remain laser-focused on lethality and readiness.
 
To that end, the Secretary of War directed the Military Departments to immediately terminate the practice of appointing civilian faculty to tenured positions at the U.S. Military Service Academies. This directly addresses the critical issues of academic stagnation and complacency that are often associated with tenure, and which threaten to dilute the academies' primary focus on warfighting and tactical dominance.
 
In place of tenure, the Military Departments will implement new hiring plans to prioritize flexibility and faculty contribution to the warfighting mission, ensuring future officers are unequivocally prepared to lead our Service members and win on the modern battlefield.
 
Click here to read the memo.

U.S., Indian Forces Fly, Fight Together in Combined Air Assault

Sept. 28, 2026 | By Army Maj. Ian Roth, 11th Airborne Division |

U.S. and Indian Army forces executed a combined air assault during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 near Auli, India, Sept. 25, seizing two objectives in a mission that integrated soldiers from both nations into the same formations. 

The operation began with battalion scouts moving forward to conduct reconnaissance of the area. The lead company then moved into assault positions, isolated the first objective and secured it. The second company isolated the other objective ahead of the air assault.

Soldiers were then transported by an Indian helicopter onto a landing zone near the second objective, before moving into position. Indian soldiers conducted their own air assault shortly after, descending from a helicopter to join the force and seize the objective. Both objectives were accomplished before the combined force transitioned into a hasty defense. 

Army Capt. Gaston Adam, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, deputy operations officer, said the mission's success depended on close coordination between U.S. ground forces and Indian Army aviation. Both forces conducted an air mission coordination meeting the day before, followed by cold load training and aircraft familiarization that allowed soldiers to practice safely entering and exiting the helicopter.

"The integration between the ground force and the aviation task force, particularly the pilots, is integral to an operation like this," Adam said. "You have to be able to look that pilot in the eye and trust they're going to get you there safely. It builds confidence in the soldiers that they're actually going to reach their objective and can focus on their mission." 

The mission's task organization reflected the exercise's emphasis on interoperability between nations. The first company, led by a U.S. commander, included two U.S. platoons and one Indian platoon. The second company, also under U.S. command, was organized the same way. A separate Indian company, serving as a decoy element during the operation, included two Indian platoons and one U.S. platoon. 

"It just goes to show that even though we're mixing our formations together, we can still work together and execute a good plan," Adam said, adding that the exercise's systems and checklists, understood across both armies, were essential to the operation's success.

The mission marked the first of three repetitions planned during the exercise, with additional air assaults scheduled for the following two days under different task organizations.  

"It's been great working with the Indian Army," Adam said. "The planning has been great." 

Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies, designed to enhance bilateral readiness, cooperation and interoperability.

Tropic Lightning Division Tests Communication Capabilities Under Combat Conditions

 Sept. 28, 2026 | By Army Capt. Eric-James Estrada, 25th Infantry Division |

Leaning forward, his face smudged with camouflage paint, Army Maj. Nathan Sitterley analyzed data flowing across his laptop screen. From inside a tactical operations center at Schofield Barracks' East Range, the battalion executive officer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, tracked friendly forces and identified opposition forces on a large map display.  

For Sitterley and the soldiers assigned to the 2nd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, this was where the Army's ongoing operational evolution of its command-and-control systems met the friction of a live, tactical fight.

Exercise Nakoa Fleek served as the culminating training event for Lightning Surge 5, the 25th Infantry Division's multiphase campaign to modernize its command-and-control architecture. While Lightning Surge focused on the strategic integration of new technologies, Nakoa Fleek was where these systems were employed in a tough, realistic environment — providing the opportunity to turn promising technology into a decisive combat capability. 

"The controlled environment gets you to the 50-yard line," Sitterley said. "The last 50 yards happen out here, where you're battling latency, power and connectivity issues right alongside the opposition force. This is where we forge a real combat capability." 

The training was part of the ongoing campaign of the division, also known as the Tropic Lightning division, to support the Army's scaling of converged and modernized command-and-control capabilities, improving decision speed and operational effectiveness under tough, realistic Pacific region training conditions. 

The exercise, which certified the Warrior Brigade ahead of future operations, was structured across three distinct battle periods. The first phase, which ran Sept. 14-17, focused on what planners call "enabling the fight." During this period, soldiers, leaders and industry partners worked to integrate new communication gear, sensors and command-and-control nodes. 

The initial phase highlighted a fundamental lesson of modernization: what works perfectly in a lab environment must be validated in the dirt, with soldiers operating under tactical constraints. The most critical learning happened during what the brigade leaders called the "last tactical mile" of technology integration. 

That learning was evident as the soldiers moved into the second battle period, which focused on the main defensive fight and tactical maneuver. With the network established, the focus shifted to action. On Sept. 23, the exercise culminated in an air assault designed to test the brigade's ability to synchronize complex operational elements under realistic conditions. For the soldiers, this was the moment when technology met tactics. 

"The goal is to get the right data to the right leader at the right time," said Army Maj. Rebecca Borrebach, the division's lead data engineer. "We're validating our ability to push a common operating picture from the cloud to the tactical edge, even in a disconnected environment. It's about giving the tactical units the situational awareness they need to make faster, better-informed decisions." 

As the exercise transitioned into its final battle period, the focus shifted again, this time to the key lessons learned. A major takeaway has been the critical importance of the human dimension. 

"The feedback from the field is clear: if a soldier can't figure it out quickly under pressure, it's not a combat-effective tool," said Army Maj. Jay Trexler, the division's innovation officer. 

This iterative process of testing, gathering feedback and adapting was the exercise's central theme and a core component of the Army's broader modernization strategy. Building an effective and combat-credible force is not about a single, revolutionary piece of technology, but rather the steady evolution of people, processes and systems. 

"This is how we stay nested with the Army's strategic direction," said Army Col. Graham White, the 25th ID deputy commander of operations. "By focusing on an operational approach of where we were, where we are and what's still missing, we ensure that we are not just testing equipment but are actively building the warfighting capabilities the Army and the joint force need to win in the Pacific." 

As Exercise Nakoa Fleek concluded, the lessons learned are already shaping the next chapter of the Army's modernization effort. The campaign will continue during Lightning Surge 6, a larger and more complex evaluation set to take place during next month's Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center rotation.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles William Turner

Sept. 28, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Sgt. 1st Class Charles William Turner, an infantryman, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for distinguishing himself with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during the Korean War, near Yongsan, South Korea. 

Turner was born to Charles William Turner Sr. and Hazel O. Turner in Boston, May 28, 1921. He had one brother, Harry Turner. 

On Jan. 20, 1941, Turner enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard, which was federalized six days later, as it appeared that war was inevitable.

His unit landed in North Africa in the summer of 1943, where they prepared for Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, which started July 10, 1943. 

For the next 22 days, his unit pushed through Sicily and then invaded Italy. In November 1943, he was taken prisoner, as his unit was outnumbered and cut off from the rest of the regiment by German soldiers, near the town of Venafro in south-central Italy. He was brought to a prisoner of war camp in Germany, which was liberated in May 1945. He returned to the U.S. a month later. 

During the Korean War, he was assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington. While there, he participated in cold weather training and tactical maneuvers. His unit also deployed to Alaska for additional cold weather training. 

His unit deployed on the troop transport ship USNS General A. W. Brewster and landed in Busan, South Korea, July 23, 1950. The war began a month earlier, when North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel to invade South Korea. 

On Sept. 2, 1950, the date of Turner's Medal of Honor action, he was a company section leader. His unit was engaged in the Battle of Nakdong Perimeter, which was part of the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, an overall defensive operation. 

His platoon encountered a large North Korean enemy force that launched mortar rounds and fired automatic weapons at them. Turner quickly organized his unit for defense and then observed that the attack was directed at a tank section 100 yards away.  

Leaving his secure location, he dashed through a hail of fire to the threatened position and climbed up a tank to man an exposed turret machine gun. Disregarding the intense enemy fire, he calmly held his position, delivering deadly accurate fire and pointing out targets for the Sherman tank's 75 mm gunner.  

His action destroyed seven enemy machine-gun nests. Although severely wounded, he remained at the gun shouting encouragement to his comrades. During the action, the tank received more than 50 direct hits; the periscopes and antenna were shot off and three rounds hit the machine-gun mount. Despite his precarious position, he remained at his post until a burst of enemy fire killed him.  

Turner's heroic action enabled the platoon to withdraw and later launch an attack that routed the enemy.  

For their actions during that battle, seven other soldiers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division also received the Medal of Honor. 

President Harry S. Truman presented the Medal of Honor to Turner's mother during a White House ceremony, Jan. 9, 1951. 

On Sept. 22, 2027, Army Maj. Gen. Scott McKean, 2nd Infantry Division commanding general, paid tribute to those eight Medal of Honor recipients and their comrades during a ceremony commemorating the battle with a newly erected monument in Daegu, South Korea. 

"Having had an uncle who served here on this very ground, and was wounded here during the breakout on Sept. 2, 1950, the meaning for me is a personal one," McKean said. "It's the sacrifice that all of these great veterans have made and need to be recognized for." 

Turner was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The Turner Fitness Center at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, is named for him.

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

Sept. 25, 2026 |

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Air Force Reservist Leads Joint Team During NATO Pentathlon in Romania

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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