Army Marksmanship Unit Marks 70 Years of Precision, Innovation, Service

June 15, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit |

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit was officially established Feb. 16, 1956 — an event that would shape the trajectory of American marksmanship for generations. 

Seventy years later, the unit stands as the Army's premier authority on marksmanship training, small-arms expertise and competitive excellence. Its legacy is defined not only by medals and records, but also by its enduring impact on Army readiness, research, doctrine and lethality. 

The unit's founding purpose was clear from the beginning. In a Nov. 17, 1955, letter to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, Army Gen. John E. Dahlquist, commander of the Continental Army Command, set the foundation for the unit's creation. 

"In proportion to its resources, Army leadership in the field of competitive marksmanship on national and international scales should be absolute and unquestioned," Dahlquist wrote, adding that, at the time, there was a perception the Russian army could shoot as well as their Olympic team and could outshoot all other armies. 

Dahlquist wrote that impression needed to be eliminated by the U.S. Army winning international rifle and pistol competitions.  

As the unit developed, its mission expanded. In a Sept. 23, 1991, letter, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Edwin H. Burba Jr. emphasized the importance of marksmanship. 

"The proficient use of individual service weapons is the most important skill of the soldier," Burba wrote. "The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit is the [U.S. Army Forces Command] standard bearer for effective marksmanship training."  

That vision has guided the unit for seven decades, shaping it into the only organization of its kind within the Army. That founding vision quickly evolved into a broader mission that continues to define the unit today. 

The unit's competitive, training and research missions make it a singular asset. Its competitive teams serve as a real-world test bed, validating training techniques and materiel solutions that shape Army doctrine, small-arms development and lethality initiatives. Since the 1950s, the unit has supported major small-arms programs across the War Department, Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security, often providing technical expertise, hand-loaded ammunition and rapid development capability. 

Supporting Research Across the Army  

For more than 30 years, the unit has partnered with key Army research centers to produce several notable advancements, including: 

• 6.8 mm reduced-range ammunition — cutting surface danger zones by 40–50%. 
• Sniper propellant testing — identifying reliable American-made alternatives during supply chain disruptions. 
• Shock-absorbing concrete testing — supporting shoot-house material evaluation. 

These efforts, along with the unit's contributions to the next-generation squad weapon, reinforce the unit's role as a technical enabler for Army modernization. Beginning in 2012, unit engineers helped shape future small-arms requirements and delivered developmental cartridge concepts that informed the Army's ballistic direction.  

Between 2019-2021, unit soldiers and civilians supported multiple phases of the next-generation squad weapon evaluation, including sampling, training support, mobility assessments, user feedback and fire-control system input. Today, the unit continues to support fielding and user training across the force. 

Driving Innovation Through Competition  

Competition has always been central to the unit's identity. Beyond medals, these events serve as a proving ground for new ideas. Innovations first tested by unit soldiers have later appeared in the special operations community, including: 

•  .277 USA and .264 USA cartridges — influencing the Army's adoption of the 6.8 mm combat caliber. 
• Lightweight intermediate caliber cartridge rifle development — early versions produced by the unit. 
• .375 EnABELR sniper system — increasing first-round hit probability at extreme distances. 

Another part of the unit's mission is marketing, which involves conducting marksmanship clinics, supervising interservice shooting competitions, maintaining excellence in competition records, representing the Army in national and international events and supporting public engagements. 

Training the Force  

The unit's most enduring contribution is training soldiers. Each year, the unit conducts about 80 training missions, providing hands-on instruction to more than 4,000 soldiers and influencing tens of thousands more. The training has led to 40% increases in lethal hit rates and 50% improvements in marksmanship fluency, delivered at a cost of about $200 per soldier. 

In 2024, Marine Corps Col. James Rose, Marine Raider Regiment commanding officer, praised the unit's support, noting its unmatched instruction and direct impact on sniper lethality. 

Over the past three years, the team has worked with the Department of Tactics, Training and Doctrine to refine small-arms doctrine. The unit also authored the "Small Arms Gold Book," a companion reference supporting the Integrated Weapons Training Strategy. 

Advancing Soldier Lethality Through Science  

Unit soldiers frequently serve as test subjects in biomechanical and physiological studies comparing novice and expert shooters. Recent findings showed expert shooters were 18% more accurate, 50% more stable and 35% slower in rotational movement. 

These insights help shape training techniques across the Army. 

From its founding in 1956 to its 70th anniversary, the unit has remained the Army's premier authority on marksmanship. Its influence spans competitive shooting, soldier training, small-arms development, doctrinal refinement and cutting-edge research.  

As the unit enters its eighth decade, its mission remains unchanged and more vital than ever: advancing marksmanship, empowering the warfighter and ensuring the Army maintains its competitive edge.

Warrior Games Week Marks New Chapter for Army Veteran

June 15, 2026 | By Vernishia Vaughn, Army Recovery Care Program |

When retired Army Staff Sgt. Gene Calantoc lost his leg in 2020, he was introduced to adaptive sports and competed in the 2024 Warrior Games. Now, two years later, he's back as a stronger competitor. 

During his first games, Calantoc said he was still learning how to move through adaptive sports with speed, skill and confidence. This year, competing with Team Army at the 2026 Warrior Games, he returned with experience, a stronger voice on the basketball court and a deeper understanding of what recovery can become when family, teammates and purpose move with him.  

Calantoc served 10 years in the Army, and in 2020, his life changed following a motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of his left leg. His recovery began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, making an already difficult journey more challenging for him and his family.  

In 2024, Calantoc was assigned to a Soldier Recovery Unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, which is where he was introduced to adaptive sports. 

"I was quick and fast with my wheelchair, but I didn't know the game," he said. 

Since then, Calantoc has continued to play wheelchair basketball with the San Antonio Spurs and has attended adaptive sports camps to sharpen his skills. The added experience helped him become more vocal, confident and intentional during competition.  

"Now, I know what to do on the court," he said. "It's a lot of communication and knowing your role."  

His wife, Miho Calantoc, said the difference between 2024 and 2026 is visible. 

"He's less nervous than he was when he first competed," she said. "He's more verbal and communicates more with the team. He takes initiative in making sure the team is together."  

For Calantoc, adaptive sports have become more than competition. They help him stay active, connected and focused. His motto — "Stay true. When life knocks you down, rise stronger and keep moving forward" — reflects the mindset he continues to carry through recovery.  

"That motto is big for me," he said. "There's a day where I'll get depressed, but that's only one day. Every day is a new day."  

Following the 2026 Warrior Games, Calantoc plans to compete in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Detroit next month. He said adaptive sports help him remain connected to others.  

"I've got adaptive sports, and it keeps me busy," he said. "It keeps me smiling and enjoying life."  

Miho Calantoc said she has watched the way adaptive sports have changed her husband and their family.  

"It's amazing," she said. "We've been in a dark space, and adaptive sports brings him so much light. It's such a blessing to see the difference when he is competing and how brightly he shines."  

The week leading up to the Warrior Games also brought another milestone for the Calantoc family. They received an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible home, a moment both Calantoc and his wife described as life-changing.  

"Thinking about it still makes me cry," Calantoc said. "I really wasn't expecting it."  

For the family, the home represents more than a new address. It represents safety, independence and relief after years of navigating a house that was not built for Calantoc's needs.  

"A lot of times, I'll take a shower [and] I'll slip and fall," Calantoc said. "This house our family received is really going to change my life; it's going to make it easier for me."  

Miho Calantoc said the home is an answered prayer from her side of the recovery journey as his spouse.  

"As a caregiver, there was a lot of worry from my end, especially in the restroom or bathtub," she said. "I know he's a very independent person. Just him being able to get back that independence is so heartwarming for him and for myself."  

For Calantoc, having his wife and children with him during the Warrior Games adds meaning to every event.  

"When my family is here, that's big support," he said. "I want to say 'thank you' to my wife and my kids [for] being here, supporting me. It's huge."  

Miho Calantoc said watching their father compete has become a lesson in resilience for their children.   

"They know Dad's got it, so we got it, too," she said. "He shows them that you can do anything when you put your mind to it."  

Calantoc said he tries to pass that same lesson on to others in the adaptive sports community.

He tells them, "Try all these adaptive sports. You don't know what you can do until you try it."

Warrior Games week represents more than competition for the Calantoc family. It's another step forward in a recovery journey that has touched their lives, a competitor returning with confidence and a family beginning a new chapter in a home built to support the independence he continues to reclaim.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Pvt. Joe Gandara

 June 15, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Pvt. Joe Gandara was a paratrooper who fought in France during World War II. Little is known about him other than that he was the son of Mexican immigrants. However, his bravery and selflessness earned him a posthumous Medal of Honor — nearly 70 years after he sacrificed himself to save his battle buddies.

Gandara was born to Jose Melendez and Ramona Orrantia Gandara, April 25, 1924, in Santa Monica, California. He had two brothers, Edward and Rudolph. 

After graduating from Santa Monica High School, Gandara enlisted in the Army two months before his 19th birthday, Feb. 20, 1943. Following paratrooper training at Fort Benning, Georgia, he boarded a troopship to England. 

Gandara was assigned to the legendary 82nd Airborne Division. His unit, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, trained for the upcoming invasion of France near Nottingham, England. He parachuted into Normandy, France, during the D-Day invasion, June 6, 1944. 

Three days later, near the village of Amfreville, his unit came under heavy enemy fire, pinning the men down for a period of four hours.  

Gandara voluntarily advanced alone toward the enemy position. Firing his machine gun from his hip as he moved forward, he destroyed three hostile machine guns before he was killed, according to his Medal of Honor citation. 

Gandara was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. However, nearly 70 years later, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor as part of the 2002 National Defense Authorization Act, which called for a review of Jewish and Hispanic American veterans from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars to ensure that no prejudice was shown to those deserving the Medal of Honor.

President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Gandara's niece, Miriam Adams, during a ceremony at the White House, March 18, 2014.

"This ceremony reminds us of one of the enduring qualities that makes America great — that makes us exceptional. No nation is perfect, but here in America, we confront our imperfections and face a sometimes-painful past — including the truth that some of these soldiers fought and died for a country that did not always see them as equal," Obama said. 

Following the end of World War II, Gandara was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica, California. However, his legacy lives on in his hometown and throughout the Army. 

In 2016, Los Angeles named a Metro Rail station after him near the neighborhood where Gandara grew up, and a year later, Santa Monica dedicated a park in his memory.

In May 2016, a statue of Gandara was included in a memorial to the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Normandy. 

The 82nd Airborne Division selected Gandara as one of the 20 soldiers in its 2018 inaugural class of the All American Hall of Fame, and in 2023, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, named a street after him. 

Michigan Army National Guard Uses UAS to Train for Tomorrow's Battlefield

June 12, 2026 | By Sgt. Kaitlyn Jernigan, 126th Theater Public Affairs Support Element |

Nine soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, participated in a two-week unmanned aerial system program that began May 31, 2026, as the Michigan National Guard expands its UAS training initiative.

The Michigan National Guard's UAS program provides service members with no prior experience the training needed to understand regulations, develop flight proficiency and safely operate unmanned aerial systems in support of unit missions. Once certified, operators can utilize and integrate UAS into their units. The training can also tailor instruction to specific unit capabilities, including drone-strike simulations.

"The goal of this training is to expose [service members] to the challenges and opportunities provided by a piece of equipment like that," said Army Maj. Brandon Shortner, the battalion's executive officer. "That's making such an impact on the modern battlefield."

Students began in the classroom for an overview of regulations and systems before moving to flight simulators. Once proficient, they transitioned to field training with a level one UAS, the smallest drone class, maneuvering through an obstacle course that replicates real-world conditions. Instructors adapted the course difficulty based on mission requirements and individual skills.

"Every unit has a different mission set, and every mission set will require a different platform," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Aric Petersen, UAS Training Center supervisor for the Michigan National Guard.

After demonstrating competence on the level one drone, the soldiers will progress to live-fire training to learn demolitions and how to arm the platforms.

In February, the War Department designated the Michigan National Guard's Camp Grayling as the nation's first national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, resulting in an increased emphasis on UAS training and capability development across the force. Camp Grayling is the largest National Guard training facility in the U.S.

"It's an incredible honor to be part of a small group of individuals selected to do this," said Army Spc. Aleksandr Blain, an infantry team leader assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment. "We are looking forward to developing these skills."

Blain was the first of the trained 126th Infantry Regiment drone pilots to execute a drone strike using a first-person view drone June 10. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Burr, an infantry platoon sergeant assigned to the battalion, assisted Blain with the strike as the drone navigator. The navigator role is critical to ensuring UASs reach targets accurately and safely.

The strike was completed using a two-drone hunter-killer team composed of an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform used to crosstalk with the pilots to confirm targets prior to the strike and a first-person-view system equipped with a fixed-angle camera, giving operators a real-time view from the aircraft's perspective.

The drone is flown entirely by the pilot, enabling precise maneuverability and continued operation in contested environments where GPS may be unavailable or degraded.

The first-person-view drones are piloted completely by manual control, so they find what is called acrobatic mode, which means the pilot has full control over the drone; it doesn't hover.

The two-week training course not only enhanced the unit's tactical performance but also boosted morale among the small group of participants.

"Being on the cusp of innovation is always fun," Blain said. "It's uncharted territory."

Carrying the Torch: 815th Airlift Squadron Assumes Airlift Mission in Africa

June 11, 2026 | By Air Force Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie, 406th Air Expeditionary Wing |

There was no formal ceremony marking the transition at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. No guidon passed from one commander to another. Instead, a moment represented something larger; the passing of a torch that lights the path of Air Force airlift across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

After months of operations throughout Africa, airmen assigned to the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing concluded a historic deployment for their wing as airmen assigned to the Air Force Reserve 815th Airlift Squadron, known as the Flying Jennies, carry on the torch for the next rotation. 
 
For the 133rd Airlift Wing, the deployment carried significance as the wing's final planned deployment with the Air Force C-130H3 Hercules. It concludes a 30-year era of trusted service with the C-130H model aircraft, which is being replaced across the wing by the newer C-130J model as part of the Minnesota Air National Guard's ongoing modernization efforts. 
 
"The men and women of the 133rd Airlift Wing are closing out a truly historic deployment," said Air Force Lt. Col. Denny Paulsen, outgoing commander of 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. "The significance of this being our final planned deployment with the C-130H model added meaning to every mission and fueled an elevated level of motivation across our team."

The 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, under the 449th Air Expeditionary Group, carries a high operational tempo, being the sole Air Force airlift capability for the African continent. The mission demands no-fail execution, ensuring cargo and personnel reach their destinations on time.

Their efforts included supporting operations driving security, economic, humanitarian and anti-terrorism efforts designated among Africom's highest priorities, earning recognition from senior leaders across the Horn of Africa. 
 
"This deployment brought an operations tempo and urgency that exceeded what is typical," Paulsen said. "The dedication, professionalism and skill of our squadron were on full display through multiple high-visibility operations that demanded absolute precision." 
 
According to Paulsen, the 133rd Airlift Wing leaves behind a legacy built from decades of service with the C-130H, capping a deployment that showcased the aircraft's enduring value and the professionalism of the airmen who flew and maintained it. 
 
"All of Minnesota can be proud of what the airmen of the 133rd Airlift Squadron have accomplished," Paulsen said. "Their performance has left a lasting mark on our state and on the legacy of the C-130H." 
 
Now, the Flying Jennies assigned to the Air Force Reserve 815th Airlift Squadron from Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, take the reins. Flying the Air Force C-130J-30 Super Hercules, the airmen and airframe bring expanded airlift capabilities and a history of operational excellence. 
 
Under the leadership of Air Force Lt. Col. Stephanie Brown, incoming commander of the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, the squadron arrives ready to provide tactical airlift, contingency operations, aeromedical evacuation and rapid mobility support to increase operational capability across Africa. 

 
"The airmen and team of the 815th Airlift Squadron stand ready to support the Africom and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa area of responsibility," Brown said. "This deployment is the culmination of a two-year Air Force's force generation 'level 300' training plan and Air Force Reserve Command certification." 
 
That two-year preparation consisted of a series of highly complex, joint and international exercises to stress test their tactical capabilities to ensure the team was ready to sustain full-spectrum readiness in their area of responsibility. 
 
The transition reflects one team completing its chapter while another immediately carries the mission forward. The final C-130H crews of the 133rd Airlift Wing passed the torch to the Flying Jennies to continue redefining responsive air mobility support for the joint force, allies and partners across the African continent.

Task Force Civil Affairs Team Conducts Subject Matter Expert Exchange in Libya

June 11, 2026 | By Army Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa |

Soldiers assigned to the Civil Affairs Team Libya, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, conducted a military-to-military subject matter expert exchange with representatives of the Libyan National Army and the Government of National Unity in Benghazi, Libya, May 19-22.

This exchange was the first in what the civil affairs team plans to be a series of exchanges with partner forces representing the two distinct political entities that currently control Libya. Through the end of the fiscal year, exchanges with both the LNA and the GNU will occur monthly. This gives the civil affairs team a place from which to witness a new chapter in Libya's evolving history.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has experienced vast security improvements, according to U.S. Army Maj. Miles Dunning, civil affairs team lead.

Dunning explained that various governments recognize the LNA as Libya's legitimate government, while others recognize the GNU, but the preferred end state is a unified Libya with a combined armed forces' capability to combat terrorism in the region.

"What we're trying to do as [U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa] — and specifically civil affairs — is get both entities to the negotiating table with the overall goal to unify Libya under one government," Dunning said. "The way we do that at [the task force], at the civil affairs level, is by conducting military-to-military exchanges with both partner forces … to facilitate a space where those partner forces can come together, cooperate and have face-to-face conversations through knowledge exchanges."

Twenty-one military officers, ranging from O-3 to O-6, represented both groups. Dunning noted that both partner forces seemed interested in making progress toward a stronger, more stable country.

"They get along together very well from what we've seen," Dunning said. "Both parties are amenable to a lasting peace and are eager to work with each other to continue these exchanges in the future. From what we observed, both partner forces were very cordial."

This event also marked the first time a task force has conducted an exchange with partner forces in Libya. Dunning emphasized that it represented a pivotal step in building relationships between the military forces of the U.S., LNA and GNU.

"It is specifically [the task force] that has been tasked to do these military-to-military exchanges with Libyan partners," Dunning said. "We are the only conventional U.S. Army force that has a presence in Libya after this engagement."

As part of the U.S. contribution to the knowledge exchange, the civil affairs team discussed how the U.S. Army conducts combined arms operations. This conversation went on to include U.S. warfighting functions, the military decision-making process, troop leading procedures and the operations order.

During a tabletop exercise — the exchange's culminating event — partner forces received a scenario in which they were operating in a fictitious country, and they had to complete a road-clearance operation from one village to another. Given specific resources to complete this notional task, representatives from both partner forces described how they would accomplish the mission.

"Insights [from this exchange] will enable successful rapport building between the U.S. and both Libyan partner forces," Dunning said, adding, these exchanges offer a distinct opportunity to participate in open dialogue and will set the stage for future operations, increasing partner force cooperation and facilitating communication between the LNA and GNU.

Dunning noted that these exchanges increase the U.S.'s ability to work with a partner force by providing a better understanding of how they operate. In return, those partner forces receive a better understanding of how U.S. forces operate, which will improve combined operations in the future.

"This was a groundbreaking event, and it has been many years in the making with a lot of parties," Dunning said. "People have put in hundreds of man-hours to make this happen, and my team was very lucky to be tasked with this mission. It is the first time a conventional U.S. Army element from any organization has been to Libya in 16 years, so it was a big deal and a big first step in reestablishing a military relationship with Libya."

Department of War Establishes Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay

June 10, 2026 |

The Department of War (DoW) is launching the Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay (C-MIP) program, a key effort in the Secretary of War's Project Patriot Pipeline initiative, and an important step toward hardening our cyber defenses and strengthening our Defense Industrial Base capacity to compete in the cyber domain.

C-MIP fundamentally modernizes how the Department incentivizes its Cyberspace Operations Forces (COF) assigned to U.S. Cyber Command. The C-MIP Framework provides DoW a powerful tool to build and drive an elite corps of cyber warfighters ready to dominate in the digital battlespace. As part of the broader Secretary of War-approved CYBERCOM 2.0 effort, C-MIP is a forward-looking, multi-layered incentive framework that promotes domain mastery within our most critical cyber work roles.

"Cyber domain capabilities are high-demand, low-density skill sets critical to our daily warfighting operations. To incentivize our cyber forces and meet both Department of War and Defense Industrial Base needs, we need to shed legacy incentive models and invest directly in our people serving on the digital front lines. C-MIP does this," said Anthony J. Tata, Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness. "It is a strategic initiative to attract, develop, and retain the specialized workforce needed to counter threats, deter aggression, and dominate the cyber domain." The C-MIP program moves beyond one-size-fits-all incentive models to a flexible and cumulative system that directly links pay to certified skill mastery and the performance of exceptionally demanding duties.

"C-MIP fundamentally changes our approach by incentivizing the pursuit of deep, technical, and career-long expertise," said Katie Sutton, Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy. "By breaking down the bureaucratic norms of government incentives, this framework enables increased lethality by driving the skills, roles, and duties most vital to mission success. New incentive frameworks normally take years to develop, but the CYBERCOM 2.0 team has driven this outcome in 60 days. This framework ultimately sends a clear signal to our cyber warriors that the Department values the skills necessary to outpace and prevail against our Nation's adversaries by incentivizing Service Members' commitment to cyber domain mastery."

The C-MIP program features two distinct and cumulative layers:

• Skill Incentive Pay (SIP): The foundational layer that directly rewards an individual's demonstrated work role skill level — Basic, Senior, or Master — established by U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). This layer creates a clear and compelling path for our cyber warriors to pursue continuous technical growth.
• Special Duty Pay (SDAP): A monthly incentive for members performing duties that USCYBERCOM designates as exceptionally demanding. This pay recognizes the specialists who scale their skills across the force by serving as instructors, certified work role trainers, and in advanced cyber duties.

The Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy (ASW-CP) will oversee the execution of the C-MIP framework. The ASW-CP will closely partner with the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness (USW(P&R)), U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), and the Military Departments to ensure the framework remains agile to warfighter requirements. General Joshua M. Rudd, Commander of USCYBERCOM, stated, "I'm excited about what C-MIP represents. Our warfighters take on complex missions that demand extraordinary commitment and technical expertise. We need to ensure that commitment is being recognized, especially when our operators step into our most demanding roles."

Taking effect October 1, 2026, the C-MIP program launches a new era of cyber talent management. By aligning a competitive incentive model with Secretary Hegseth's strategic vision, the Department of War begins to unleash our Nation's potential to build and sustain world-class cyber forces for years to come.

33rd Maintenance Squadron Refurbishes Khobar Towers Memorial Sword

June 10, 2026 | By Air Force Senior Airman Reagan Hardy, 33rd Fighter Wing |

Airmen assigned to the 33rd Maintenance Squadron have worked to revitalize the flaming sword centered on the 33rd Fighter Wing's Khobar Towers Memorial by modifying it to keep the flame burning without environmental disruption.

The evening of June 25, 1996, went down in history as a tragic night of lasting impact when terrorists bombed Khobar Towers, a housing complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killing 19 U.S. airmen — 12 assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing. The sacrifice of the airmen will forever root the wing's values and continue to fuel the mission.

In 1997, airmen assigned to the 33rd Fighter Wing milled a stainless-steel sword to be placed at the center of a memorial located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The sword bears a flame that burns continuously, representing an everlasting legacy "forged by fire."

As the 30th anniversary of the bombing approaches, 33rd Maintenance Squadron airmen have been working to revitalize the sword by polishing the steel and making structural modifications.

Air Force Senior Airman Adam Williams, 33rd Maintenance Squadron metals technology journeyman, and Air Force Airman 1st Class Sir Christon Oliver, 33rd Maintenance Squadron metals technology apprentice, have combined expertise and worked diligently to properly modify the sword and refresh the original design.

"The flame kept going out. So, we've made little fins that go on the side to protect the flames from going out from wind, leaves, debris, anything like that," Williams said.

Williams fabricated the fins from sheets of metal, while both Williams and Oliver produced welds that cleanly attached the fins to the blade. They cut 19 holes representing the 19 lost airmen into the sides of the sword, allowing the flame to disperse.

"There's some propane that goes through it, so we've got holes on each side that, when the sword is connected to the base, it uses regular pressure to ignite, and that's how it stays lit all the time," Williams said.

One airman assigned to the project has a deeper connection to the sword and its legacy. Williams was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a month and a half after the Khobar Towers bombing. Williams' father, a U.S. Navy veteran, was working as a contractor in Saudi Arabia at the time of the attack and the family lived close to the bombing site.

"I spent 18 years in Dammam, which is 45 minutes from Khobar Towers. So, as I grew up, to go into town, you had to drive by Khobar Towers and that whole area, and that was my childhood," he said. "[The Khobar Towers Memorial] resonated with me, because I knew where it was and what the impact was."

Williams later joined the Air Force and was assigned to the wing linked to this significant part of his youth, and he shared what it means to him.

"I feel so honored to be able to be a part of this history. I literally walked those streets where it happened, and I still sometimes get goosebumps," he said.

The sword represents more than just the memorial's centerpiece.

"[The sword's significance] is keeping the heritage alive and honoring those [who] did die for us. It's also making sure that those family members [who] do come, see that we've put the effort in and made time for them, because they have the loved ones that made the ultimate sacrifice," Williams said. "We've put the effort in to make sure it's going to withstand the test of time, and I think in 30 years all it will need is a little touch-up."

With the 33rd Maintenance Squadron's efforts, the flaming sword will continue to burn, withstanding the environment for years to come.

"The incredible service, sacrifice and resiliency our airmen demonstrated during the Khobar Towers tragedy is part of our nomad legacy. That legacy wasn't achieved from a single event; it's an honor we earn and maintain every day with our actions," said Col. Dave Skalicky, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. "Our commitment to that legacy is what I see in that sword."

War Department Leaders Observe Kansas City's Counter-Drone Preparations Ahead of World Cup

June 9, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Adam Scher, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 |

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently visited Kansas City, Missouri, to meet with federal, state, and local law enforcement and public safety partners ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  

The visit highlighted Kansas City's readiness and the interagency coordination required to protect facilities, fan areas and surrounding communities from unauthorized drone activity. JIATF 401 continues to share knowledge and best practices with World Cup host cities for countering illicit unmanned aircraft systems.  

Kansas City public safety partners demonstrated how they are integrating air domain awareness, real-time operations and drone response procedures into broader World Cup security planning.  

The visit included meetings with security personnel at Arrowhead Stadium and with local police, fire, emergency management, intelligence, aviation and federal law enforcement partners in fan zones. Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, Customs and Border Protection, FBI and Federal Air Marshals attended the visit, showcasing a whole-of-government effort in counter-drone preparations. 

"Kansas City is ready because our federal, state and local partners have been preparing deliberately and working together from the start," said Kansas City Police Department Maj. Greg Williams, who oversees the operational support division. "Our focus is on keeping fans, players, staff and the broader community safe, and that requires the kind of coordinated interagency effort we have built here." 

The War Department is supporting World Cup counter-UAS preparations in coordination with the White House FIFA World Cup Task Force by enabling access to more than $100 million in counter-UAS capabilities. Additionally, JIATF 401 provided crucial input in DHS- and FBI-led site protection plans across the 11 host cities, supported law enforcement training at the FBI's National Counter-UAS Training Center and contributed to the War Department's portion of the Counter-UAS Master Plan. 

"Major national security events require high levels of coordination between the entire federal government and our local public safety partners," said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF 401. "Kansas City's emphasis on a strong, layered, counter-drone defense will be crucial to the safety of fans and facilities at the World Cup."

Seabees Connect to Past During Exercise Baltic Operations 26

June 9, 2026 | By Navy Chief Petty Officer Justin Stumberg, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment |

Before Camp Turtle, Latvia, was a location, it was a mission. 

U.S. Navy construction personnel, also known as Seabees, arrived in Liepāja, Latvia, this month with equipment, tools and a familiar purpose: build what the force needs, where the force needs it. 

These sailors established expeditionary infrastructure in support of Exercise Baltic Operations 2026, helping stage, coordinate, sustain and support operations in one of Europe's most strategically significant maritime regions. 

Camp Turtle is a working site for the Seabees. Planning, logistics, labor and practical skill turn limited infrastructure into operational capability. Tents, tools, equipment and coordination spaces are part of the visible work. The larger mission is less visible but just as important: enabling naval forces to operate forward, remain flexible and support allied objectives across the Baltic Sea region. 

"Camp Turtle represents what Seabees are built to do: arrive with a mission, assess what is needed, and turn a piece of ground into a place that supports the force," said Navy Lt. Thomas McDowell, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment operations officer. "Every part of the site contributes to readiness and helps enable the larger BALTOPS mission."

The name also carries meaning beyond the work taking place at the site. 

Camp Turtle draws from a local connection to U.S. naval history in the Baltic Sea. It honors the PB4Y-2 Privateer Turbulent Turtle, a U.S. Navy aircraft assigned to Patrol Squadron 26 that was lost over the Baltic Sea near Liepāja April 8, 1950. The aircraft and its crew became part of the early Cold War history tied to the waters off this Latvian port city. 

"The name connects today's work with the sailors who served in this region before us," McDowell said. "It reminds us that readiness is not only about what we build today but also about the legacy we carry forward."

Today, sailors are operating in Liepāja alongside allies and partners during BALTOPS 2026. The long-running maritime exercise strengthens allied readiness, interoperability and security throughout the region. 

Camp Turtle reflects naval heritage in action, connecting remembrance of past service with the readiness required for today's mission. 

During BALTOPS 2026, construction extends naval reach ashore. This infrastructure helps create the conditions for forces to operate, coordinate and sustain themselves beyond established facilities. 

The name Camp Turtle connects the site to a chapter of naval history rooted in the Baltic Sea. The work taking place there during the exercise carries that connection forward, linking remembrance with the practical demands of readiness. 

One Stitch at a Time: Aviator's Art Leaves Lasting International Impression

June 9, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Tambri Cason, 307th Bomb Wing |

Long before Air Force Maj. Kerry Baker stepped into the navigator seat of a B-52 Stratofortress, he was a student tasked with drawing a portrait of Abraham Lincoln for a school project. When his classmates saw his work, they asked him to draw theirs too. 

That childhood talent sparked a lifelong passion that he shares with aviation. 

Over the past two decades, Baker has become known as a premier artist for the B-52 community, designing hundreds of unit patches, nose art pieces and official heraldry that capture the heritage, morale and visual identity of the 307th Bomb Wing mission and beyond. 

"Proud is not a word that I use in describing what I've done, but internally I am proud of it," he said. "I'm very fortunate to have been given this opportunity, or this canvas on which to work." 

Now, the 307th Operations Support Squadron weapon systems officer is preparing to retire. 

But while Baker will soon leave the flight line behind, his legacy will remain stitched into the very fabric of the 307th Bomb Wing and the broader Air Force bomber community. 

"I had a top-down view of Kerry's artwork," said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Jones, former vice commander of the 307th Bomb Wing. "He is responsible for so much public relations and community engagement that can never be replaced." 

From the Canvas to the Cockpit

Baker's path to the Air Force was unconventional. 

He earned a degree in studio art painting from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, and was working for a civilian business until the events of Sept. 11, 2001, changed the trajectory of his life. 

Seeking to serve his country, he initially visited a Marine Corps recruiter before his life experience and college degree pointed him toward the Air Force. 

By November 2002, he was at officer training school and subsequently earned his wings. Driven by a desire for a balanced family life and a love for the airframe, he selected the B-52 Stratofortress.  

Baker served on active duty from 2003 to 2010 assigned to the 11th Bomb Squadron and the 20th Bomb Squadron before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve, joining the 93rd Bomb Squadron and later the 307th Operations Support Squadron. It didn't take long for his military career and his artistic talent to collide. 

"The first patch I designed was for my navigator training class," Baker said. "I knew nothing about the process, but I knew I didn't want to get too crazy with the design because it had to be embroidered. That was my first time designing something thoughtfully." 

When he arrived at the 11th Bomb Squadron, he drew an 8-foot-wide rendition of a B-52 that remained hanging in the hallway for years. That drawing established a reputation for him that quickly spread. 

By 2006, he was designing deployment patches for the 20th Bomb Squadron, tracking down vendors and ensuring his fellow airmen had their patches before walking out the door. 

Baker continued accepting requests and creating artwork for missions, often facilitating a platform to build relationships among the 307th Bomb Wing, other units, military branches and even countries. 

"He has been a vital part of our [War Department] and bomber community in fortifying global strategy and reach," said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert Vanhoy II, former 307th Bomb Wing commander. "His talent bonded units and created conversations across nations."

Art That Honors the Past

In his vast portfolio, Baker said a few pieces hold a deeply personal significance. 

One of those is the "100,000 Hours of Power" patch designed in 2014 to commemorate a historic two-ship B-52 formation with more than 100,000 hours of collective flight time among the 20 aircrew members. 

"A patch is just a piece of cloth until you put it in someone's hand; then it becomes a memory," Jones said. "Baker is responsible for that." 

Baker also lent his talents to aircraft nose art.

In 2013, he designed "Red Gremlin II" for now retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbets IV, adapting the original World War II B-17 Flying Fortress nose art flown by Tibbets' grandfather.

The artwork was applied to the B-52 in which Tibbets completed his certification flight, and Baker later painted the design onto a leather bomber jacket for him.

Another memorable project was "My Baby II," a commemorative design honoring the original 20th Bomb Squadron, which was shot down over Czechoslovakia in August 1944.

Since that project, Baker's artwork has become a staple of the unit's participation in NATO Days, the largest European security show in Ostrava, Czech Republic, that demonstrates the capabilities, cooperation and interoperability of NATO allies and partners.

Leaving a Mark

As his retirement approaches, Baker reflected on his years of service and the unique mark he leaves behind. 

"Flying is great. I had a lot of fun flying ... but it's the people that I've built lifelong friendships with," he said. "When I came to the 307th [Bomb Wing], for me it was a bunch of combat aviators that really had an incredible sense of camaraderie. It felt like family right away." 

For the next generation of airmen harboring hidden creative talents, Baker offers a piece of parting advice. 

"Absolutely do not neglect it," he said. "Put it out there and let other people see it, and you'll have opportunities to do special projects that people enjoy and need." 

Long after Baker hangs up his flight suit, airmen walking the halls of the bomb wing and flight lines across the globe will continue to wear his artwork on their shoulders. 

Through his dedication to visual heritage, Baker ensured the pride, history and morale of the bomber community will endure, one stitch at a time.

104th Fighter Wing Strengthens Regional Medical Readiness With Multiday Emergency Decontamination Course

June 8, 2026 | By Air Force Airman 1st Class Ellen Ozkaptan, 104th Fighter Wing |

The Massachusetts National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing Medical Group enhanced regional medical readiness by hosting the Air Combat Command Emergency Decontamination Course at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts, June 1-6, marking the first time the Air National Guard has hosted a remote training team for this course.

The multiday training brought together more than 70 airmen from Region 1 and other regions, including the 103rd Airlift Wing, 114th Fighter Wing, 150th Special Operations Wing, 158th Fighter Wing and 161st Air Refueling Wing. Through two iterations of the course, participants completed hands-on instruction in equipment setup, personal protective measures, patient handling and full-scale decontamination operations.

Patient decontamination, or PT Decon, is a 19-person unit type code designed to decontaminate patients before they enter a medical facility during chemical, biological, radiological or industrial contamination events. The capability is essential for protecting medical staff, maintaining facility operations and stabilizing victims before they receive further care.

"The importance of [emergency management decontamination training] is the ability to safeguard a medical facility in the event of having to support victims [who] come in with contamination," said Saulo Ugarte, the course lead instructor. "The purpose is to teach these medical teams the process of setting up and decontaminating victims prior to going inside a medical facility in order to ensure that the staff inside is protected, as well as the facility itself. The PT Decon course extends beyond contamination removal."

"The second part [of the PT Decon course] is ensuring that we do lifesaving situations; for example, stabilizing the victims and making sure they're stabilized through the process in order to get the medical needs they need in a clean facility after they've been decontaminated," Ugarte said.

For the 104th Fighter Wing, hosting the course represented a significant milestone in both capability and readiness.

"This is the first time that the guard has ever done the remote team," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Mutti, senior enlisted leader assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing Medical Group. "The Air National Guard Medical Training Division was here the last two days evaluating to see if it was up to par. Overall, it went really well."

Bringing the course to Barnes Air National Guard Base allowed multiple units to train together, strengthening regional interoperability. The collaboration also tested the airmen's abilities to operate under the demands while in full protective gear.

"My favorite part from this course is the teamwork that is involved, not only in putting it together, but the barrier of communications and how we work around that," said Air Force Senior Airman Malachi Paiz, an aerospace medical technician assigned to the 150th Special Operations Wing. "You have limited communications when having the hazmat on. It's hard to hear, and you have to communicate in different ways, such as hand signals, touching, just trying to be creative in a chaotic environment."

Aside from the technical challenges, airmen had the opportunity to build relationships outside of their units and gain a better understanding of their shared mission.

"I think meeting all the other people [who] came from the other bases was the best part of the course," said Air Force Airman 1st Class Meledith LeBron, a bioenvironmental engineer specialist assigned to the 104th Fighter Wing. "You get so used to the people [who] you're with, then you meet other people and you realize we're all doing the same thing, and we all know what we're going through."

The 104th Fighter Wing wanting to network and build relationships contributed to the decision to host the training locally.

"It was about getting the region fully trained," Mutti said. "Hosting it [at the 104th Fighter Wing] meant we could get a large portion of units trained at once."

Throughout the course, instructors guided airmen through realistic scenarios using operational equipment. The final day featured a capstone event with simulated patients, requiring teams to demonstrate communication, coordination and technical proficiency under pressure.

"The airmen are doing a really good job with what time they've had," said Brandy Tarala, a course instructor. "Everybody steps in, and you don't even have to tell them. They say, 'OK, what can I do?' The teamwork makes the process go a lot more efficiently. We don't get that all the time, because not everybody [who] takes this class wants to be here."

The course also supports broader goals within the 104th Medical Group to strengthen team cohesion and ensure deployable capability.

"My overarching goal is bringing our readiness back to where we need to be for the medical enterprise," Mutti said. "But my interior goal is team building, ensuring the 19-person team works together, understanding each other's strengths and building confidence."

As the week concluded, leaders emphasized the importance of continued regional collaboration and recurring training opportunities.

"If we can get the region ready, we will be a better asset," Mutti said.

By hosting the ACC Emergency Decontamination Course for the first time, the 104th Fighter Wing strengthened its medical readiness posture, expanded regional capability and ensured that airmen remain prepared to respond to contamination events in any environment.

DOW Releases List of Chinese Military Companies in Accordance With Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021

June 8, 2026 |

Today, the Department of War released an update to the names of "Chinese military companies" operating directly or indirectly in the United States in accordance with the statutory requirement of Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which is available on the Public Inspection Issue of the Federal Register. After the Department conducted its due diligence, it identified 188 entities that meet the statutory requirements for inclusion on the most recent 1260H List.

The Department will update the list with additional entities as appropriate. The United States Government reserves the right to take additional actions on these entities under authorities other than Section 1260H. The list is available here.

About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP))

The Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (ASW IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army 2nd Lt. Walter D. Ehlers

June 8, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army 2nd Lt. Walter D. Ehlers served in Europe and North Africa as an infantryman during World War II.

He was born, May 7, 1921, on a farm in Junction City, Kansas, to John and Marie Ehlers. He married Dorothy Decker in 1955. They had three children and many grandchildren. 

Ehlers and his older brother Roland enlisted in the Army in October 1940 and completed basic training at the Presidio of San Francisco. 

They served together in the 1st Infantry Division, fighting in North Africa from November 1942 to May 1943, and in Sicily in July and August 1943. 

After Sicily, the brothers were split up and assigned to different units to lessen the chance that both would be killed. Both were squad leaders with the rank of sergeant during the June 6, 1944, D-Day landings on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France.

The landing craft that Roland was on was hit by a German artillery round, just as it hit the beach, killing him and his entire squad.

That day, Ehlers led his squad — 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 18th Infantry — across the beach and up a bluff, where they captured German machine gunners manning a pillbox. 

On June 9, 1944, Ehlers was leading his squad through a field when they were ambushed by German machine guns. Ehlers ran around the German flank, killing a number of them. 

The next day, his squad crossed an open field toward enemy positions. When the Germans opened fire, Ehlers and his automatic rifleman jumped up out of cover and began shooting into enemy positions, drawing all attention to themselves while the rest of the men escaped. Although he was wounded, Ehlers carried a wounded comrade to the rear for treatment. 

His Medal of Honor is for valor on those two days. 

Shortly thereafter, Ehlers was promoted to staff sergeant and then to second lieutenant, in recognition of his leadership. In March 1945, he led his platoon across the Rhine River at the bridge over Remagen, Germany. The following month, he was wounded in the leg and hip by friendly fire. 

His Medal of Honor was presented to him by Army Lt. Gen. John C.H. Lee in Paris. Lee had also made the D-Day landings.

After World War II ended, Ehlers moved to California and worked for the Veterans Administration. 

On June 6, 1994, marking the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Ehlers returned to France and gave a speech on Omaha Beach. President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth were also in attendance. 

"I pray that the price we paid on this beach will never be mortgaged, that my grandsons and granddaughters will never face the terror and horror that we faced here," Ehlers said in his speech. "But they must know that without freedom there is no life, and that the things most worth living for may sometimes demand dying for."  

Ehlers appeared in the 1955 film "The Long Gray Line," starring Tyrone Power. Power served in the Marine Corps during World War II. 

Ehlers died Feb. 20, 2014. He was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient who participated in the D-Day landing in Normandy. 

He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. His medal is on display at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.