Training Prepares Soldier to Save Lives During Accident

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was 28 years old. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oct. 12, 2026 |

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

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

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

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

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

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

Autonomous Surface Craft Help Patrol Panamanian Waters

Oct. 9, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Army Reserve Unit Supports Local Junior ROTC Raider Challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DPAA Identifies Record Number of Missing Service Members

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Army Command Holds Mercury Rising Event to Strengthen Readiness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida National Guard Advances Battlefield Capabilities During Drone Crucible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marines Enhance Anti-Ship Tactics in Hawaii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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