Coast Guard Cutter Midgett Rescues Family Missing in Western Pacific

April 7, 2026 | By Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam |

The Coast Guard cutter Midgett crew rescued a family of three in the waters off the coast of Chuuk, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, following search and rescue operations April 6. 

The crew located the missing family after receiving a report on Easter from authorities in the Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. Embassy that the vessel was overdue. 

"Our U.S. Coast Guard colleagues' swift and courageous actions in this successful search and rescue mission not only reflect the highest standards of professionalism and humanity but also reinforce the deep and enduring partnership between the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia," said Jennifer Johnson, U.S. ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia. "This mission exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and mutual support at the heart of the Compact of Free Association, underscoring how our close relations translate into real, lifesaving outcomes for our people." 

At night, the crew visually located the 23-foot single-outboard skiff carrying the missing family, two men and one woman, in the water. 

The family departed Fananu, an island municipality in the state of Chuuk, March 30 for the short passage to the island of Murillo but never arrived due to a failure of their single outboard engine. At the height of search planning, the predicted search area exceeded 14,000 square nautical miles in rough seas with waves reaching 10 feet. 

All three survivors were rescued uninjured. They were then safely delivered to Weno for further transport to Fananu.

"National security cutter crews spend most of their time executing maritime law enforcement missions, often with our international partners," said Coast Guard Capt. Brian Whisler, commanding officer of the Midgett. "[Search and rescue] cases like this one are not routine for our platform. Our bridge watch standers spotted the small skiff in rough seas just after midnight, and that kind of situational awareness does not happen by accident. It is what this crew trains for, and I could not be prouder of how they performed." 

During the operation, watch standers from the U.S. Coast Guard Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam developed the search patterns and coordinated with U.S. Coast Guard District Oceania and Air Station Barbers Point personnel to launch an HC-130 Hercules airplane and crew from Hawaii to support the search and directed the launch of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Frederick Hatch  from Guam.  

The crew on the Midgett, already conducting a Western Pacific patrol, diverted following a bilateral maritime law enforcement boarding with two embarked officers from the Federal States of Micronesia in their exclusive economic zone, approximately 200 nautical miles south of Fananu. 

"This rescue reflects the strategic value of maintaining a capable surface presence across the region's vast maritime expanse," said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Derek Wallin, the search and rescue mission coordinator. "Without the Midgett's proximity, coordinating a search across more than 14,000 square nautical miles of open ocean would have required significantly more time and resources, time the three missing people may not have had."

Four USAMU Soldiers Qualify for Upcoming Rifle World Cup Competitions

April 6, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Michelle Lunato |

Four soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit qualified to represent the United States at upcoming rifle world cups after competing in USA Shooting's Rifle Spring Selection Match in Colorado Springs, Colorado, March 20-23.

The soldiers competed alongside more than 100 of the nation's top marksmen in the Olympic disciplines of 10-meter air rifle and 50-meter three-position rifle.

After relays and a final, the Fort Benning soldiers earned spots on USA Shooting's national team, which will vie for medals at the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup in Germany and China later this year.

In the 10-meter air rifle, Army Staff Sgt. Brandon Muske and Army Sgt. Alison Weisz earned positions on the men's and women's teams, respectively. In the 50-meter three-position rifle, commonly called smallbore, Army Sgt. Levi Clark and Army Staff Sgt. Sagen Maddalena qualified for the men's and women's teams.

Earning a world cup berth is one step in a long training cycle, said Maddalena, who won the silver medal in women's 50-meter smallbore at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"Now that I am on the national team, my job is to prepare myself for the opportunities in these upcoming world cups to make a podium spot," she said.

Maddalena noted that training at this level involves more than the physical and technical challenges of repeatedly hitting a .5 mm target at 10 meters in air rifle or a 10.4 mm target at 50 meters in smallbore.

"That preparation involves building up my mental game and regulating my emotions so that I am ready to compete with the best version of myself," she said.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit International Rifle Team's long record of success shows that the most effective way to prepare for the pressure of international competition is to face it firsthand. So, earning opportunities to represent the nation at the ISSF World Cup is not only an honor but also essential preparation for a potential run at the 2028 Olympics.

"These world cups are very good for me to gain international experience and get used to matches that elevate my nerves more," Clark said.

The selection match also marked the first competition using newly modified gear that complies with the ISSF's 2026 rule changes — adjustments that required significant adaptation, Muske said.

"This selection match was difficult but rewarding," he said. "The training leading up to the match was not going especially well due to new equipment regulations."

The ISSF changes require competitors' canvas shooting suits to be substantially less rigid. Because ordering new custom-fit suits takes months, the soldiers had to modify their existing gear. Some of the adjustments included removing one of the two layers, applying leather conditioner, and rolling the suits to break down the fibers, said Weisz, a 2020 Olympian in 10-meter air rifle.

"The team collectively spent hours and weeks modifying the suits to be legal," she said.

Clark agreed that the new rules demanded extensive time and effort.

"We spent maybe a collective 100-plus hours modifying and testing our suits over and over again to find the best method that worked for us," he said. "Then, when we got to the match, we learned the temperature and humidity affected these tests and we had to do further modifications."

The extra work cut into training time, adding stress to match preparation, Muske said.

"I left Georgia feeling rather unprepared to perform but was able to execute my match plan effectively despite some of the physical deficiencies and less-than-ideal training leading up to the match," he said.

The ISSF changes affected all competitors, not just the soldiers. Competitors shared modification techniques and discussed the added pressure of suit inspections, which could disqualify anyone whose gear failed to meet the new standards.

Suit changes weren't the only shift at the selection match. This event was the first "one-and-done" selection match in years, Weisz said.

Under the previous system, competitors shot multiple matches and the best five scores determined world cup qualification.

"While that was challenging in its own right, this style brings on extreme intensity and pressure," Weisz said. "You get two days and a final to perform and make your goal happen. I like to think I thrive under pressure, so it was exciting for me to compete like that again, but of course I was also nervous."

Competition naturally brings anxiety but adding suit inspections and a single-match selection format made the event especially stressful, she said.

"It was interesting watching everyone handle it differently," Weisz said. "That really added a layer of challenge to maintain composure and not let other competitors' emotions affect my own."

Medal of Honor Monday: Four Receive Highest Award for Valor on Samoa

April 6, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

One sailor and three Marines were awarded Medals of Honor for bravery during the Second Samoan Civil War, April 1, 1899. 

The combatants were Samoans, Americans and British, who fought against the Germans and a rival Samoan group.  

U.S. and British forces landed on the island of Upolu at Apia. They marched 10 miles along the coast to Vailele to fight. This expeditionary force included 26 Marines, 88 sailors and 136 Samoans.  

When they arrived at Vailele, they were ambushed by over 800 enemy Samoans hiding in the jungle. Alarmed, the allied Samoans ran off, leaving the sailors and Marines to do the fighting. The leader of the expeditionary force, Navy Lt. Philip Lansdale, ordered the men to fall back, as they were badly outgunned and outnumbered.  

During the fight, Lansdale was wounded and couldn't move. Navy Ensign John R. Monaghan disobeyed the order to fall back and continued fighting. After the battle, Monaghan and Lansdale were found dead, side by side. 

Marine Corps Pvt. Henry L. Hulbert, despite suffering wounds, conducted a one-man delaying action, laying down heavy fire that enabled the landing force to withdraw to a defensible position covered by the guns of the warships offshore. 

Under fire from three sides, Hulbert stood his ground until the main group established a new defensive perimeter.  

In support of the Medal of Honor, which was awarded, Navy Secretary John Davis Long wrote: "The gallantry of [Pvt.] Henry L. Hulbert, who remained behind at the fence till the last and who was with Lansdale and Monaghan when they were killed, I desire especially to mention." 

Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Joseph McNally, Marine Corps Sgt. Bruno Albert Forsterer and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick Thomas Fisher, who also distinguished themselves in battle, were all awarded the Medal of Honor as well. 

Forsterer was, ironically, born in Konigsberg, Germany, July 14, 1869. He served in the Marine Corps for 13 years, attaining the rank of gunnery sergeant. After serving, he became the editor of the Oakland Tribune newspaper. He died June 13, 1957, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. 

Hulbert, born in Kingston upon Hull, England, Jan. 12, 1867, served in the Marine Corps from 1898 to 1918, attaining the rank of sergeant major and later captain. During World War I, he fought in the battles of Belleau Wood, Château-Thierry and Blanc Mont Ridge, all in France. On Oct. 4, 1918, he was killed in action at Blanc Mont Ridge, posthumously earning the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross and French Croix de Guerre. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The destroyer USS Hulbert, commissioned in 1920, was named after him.  

McNally, born June 29, 1860, in Manhattan, New York, served from 1897 to 1915, attaining the rank of sergeant major. On Nov. 2, 1916, he disappeared from a Baltimore Steam Packet Company steamer. His body was recovered three weeks later; he was buried in Portsmouth, Virginia. 

Fisher, born in England, June 3, 1872, died April 15, 1906, while serving aboard the battleship USS Kearsarge and was buried in Los Angeles. 

President Theodore Roosevelt awarded all four Medals of Honor in 1901. 

Although Monaghan was never awarded the Medal of Honor because naval officers at the time were not eligible, the destroyer USS Monaghan, launched in 1911, was named for him and served in World War I. Also, the destroyer USS Monaghan, launched in 1935, was named for him and served during World War II before sinking during a typhoon in December 1944.  

The Tripartite Convention of 1899 concluded the Second Samoan Civil War, in which Germany gained Western Samoa and the United States gained Eastern Samoa. Also, the Samoan monarchy was abolished, and Samoan autonomy officially ended. On Aug. 29, 1914, during the early days of World War I, New Zealand forces seized Western Samoa from Germany. New Zealand retained control of Western Samoa until 1961, when it was granted independence and became Samoa. 

The United States made American Samoa a U.S. territory in 1900. The U.S. Navy administered the territory until 1951, when the Interior Department took over. 

The territory's capital, Pago Pago, has a deep natural harbor that is considered strategically important to the United States.  

Samoa, in the South Pacific, consists of two large islands and seven tiny ones, totaling 1,093 square miles and American Samoa, 50 miles east, across the International Date Line, consists of seven small islands totaling 77 square miles. 

Walter Reed's Medevac Team Transports Wounded Warriors to World-Class Care

April 7, 2026 | By Christopher Smith, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center |

When injured active-duty service members need to get from the battlefield to critical medical care back home in the U.S., the medical evacuation department for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Maryland, plays a vital role.

"Walter Reed's medevac team is responsible for supporting patient movement across the globe while ensuring patients receive presidential care during transport throughout the aeromedical evacuation system," said Navy Lt. Abena Nimako, officer in charge of the medevac team. "In addition to inbound and outbound military personnel from all branches requiring transport, the medevac team also supports the movement of reservists, veterans, beneficiaries and dependents for care."

The medevac team supports the Defense Health Network National Capital Region's patient movement requirements as directed by the War Department. The team coordinates and synchronizes various movement plans with the U.S. Transportation Command's Global Patient Movement Requirements Center, the U.S. European Command's Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center, the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center at Landstuhl, Germany, and Air Force aeromedical staging facilities to ensure a seamless transition of patients transferring to and from the national capital region.

The medevac team is composed of dedicated officers and enlisted personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force, including registered nurses, paramedics, medics and hospital corpsmen. The primary team consists of 14 active-duty personnel, which includes one nurse who serves as the mission nurse and the officer in charge of the department, currently filled by Nimako; one patient care coordinator; one noncommissioned officer in charge and 11 hospital corpsmen.

There is also a rotational team comprised of nine active-duty enlisted personnel and two registered nurses that operate on a two-month period to provide relief for the primary team.

The service members use a variety of vehicles to transport patients and team members to and from the pickup/drop-off locations, including ambulances, patient evacuation vehicles that function as intensive care units on wheels, an ambulance bus, a separate luggage truck and a nine-seater van.

The team is equipped with critical lifesaving equipment, including defibrillator units, IV kits, a blood infusion system, oxygen tanks, wound vacuums and other vital patient care supplies. In addition to the medical staff, the team also includes three professional drivers who operate the large vehicles required to carry the medical staff and sizable pieces of equipment necessary to safely transport patients.

A typical mission begins far from the hospital, with the initial stabilization and transport of wounded or critically ill service members from a combat zone conducted by air medevac units.

"Once stabilized at an overseas hub, the patient is then flown back to the United States to various destination airfields in the national capital region," Nimako said.

Walter Reed serves as a critical receiving and continuing care facility for service members — and sometimes their families or allies — who have already been medically evacuated from an operational theater.

The medevac team meets the incoming patients at their destination airfield, transitioning them into patient care vehicles to ensure uninterrupted quality of care. An average mission involves transporting between eight to 10 patients, but the team has the capability to carry as many as 26 patients on litters or upward of 42 ambulatory patients.

Once the patients are secured in the vehicles, the team continuously monitors their condition, administering any needed care during the trip to Walter Reed. At each stage of the process, the team remains in contact with operations for Walter Reed, base security forces, service-specific liaisons and hospital staff, depending on the nature of the patient's medical situation. Hospital staff will also inform patients' families of their imminent arrival so they can be present to support their loved ones.

At Walter Reed, patients are transferred into the care of the specialized unit depending on their needs — intensive care, orthopedic, gastrointestinal or other treatment type. Each handover involves a detailed report of the patient's condition.

"'Thank you' is not what I am looking for," Nimako said. "The real validation is when the mission is secured and the patient is at Walter Reed. I tell myself that I made a difference that day. I did something good."

U.S., Partner Nations Complete Antisubmarine Warfare Exercise

April 3, 2026 | By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs |

Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 successfully concluded at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 28, marking the completion of 20 days of intensive multinational antisubmarine warfare training. 

Hosted by Commander, Task Force 72, two Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadrons 4 and 45 joined a multilateral force of P-8A aircraft from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

This year's exercise continues to enhance the interoperability of shared maritime domain awareness developed during previous iterations. Sea Dragon 2026 improved on participating nations' ability to conduct multinational antisubmarine warfare operations inside a complex and dynamic exercise environment. 

"What we do in Sea Dragon builds more than skill — it establishes [an antisubmarine warfare] team across nations. The shared experience empowers us to fight together more effectively," said Navy Lt. Paolo Aguilar, assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 4. 

Exercises like Sea Dragon highlight the strength of U.S. partnerships and alliances, said Navy Lt. Caitlin Tucker, Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 45 pilot.  

"They show that together we're stronger, more capable and ready to deter any aggressor in the Indo-Pacific," Tucker added. 

Sea Dragon 2026 featured a structured training format for tracking drills that included a mobile antisubmarine warfare training target, referred to as the MK-30. The exercise also featured a Navy antisubmarine warfare exercise, in which participants hunted for an active Navy submarine in the area.  

This year, forces operated in the vicinity of Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, to employ recoverable exercise torpedoes and demonstrate the expansion of capabilities trained among the five nations. 

As with previous years, the exercise included a competitive component in which each nation's performance was assessed and graded to earn the Dragon Belt award, testing each nation's antisubmarine warfare tactics and response effectiveness in a realistic scenario. 

Japan's Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 3 won the Dragon Belt, held last year by the Royal Australian Air Force. 

Exercises like Sea Dragon, held annually since 2019, demonstrate the Navy's commitment to regional security and strengthening maritime partnerships with allied and partner nations.

PCS Joint Task Force Becomes Personal Property Activity

April 3, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. David Phaff, War Department Personal Property Activity |

The War Department Personal Property Activity recently marked a significant milestone: moving from a Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force to becoming a permanent, enduring organization that is dedicated to supporting military personnel, DOW civilians and their families through the complexities of PCS moves.

The transformation builds on the talent within the Defense Property Management Office as it has evolved to better serve the joint force. Announced in January, the new activity reflects a committed, cohesive team that strives to improve the quality of military moves for years to come.

As the activity takes its place as a permanent fixture, it does so on the foundation built by a dedicated group of professionals who have shaped not only its operational success but also its identity and culture. Through collaboration, innovation and a shared sense of purpose, the team has worked tirelessly to streamline processes, enhance communication and reduce the stress associated with PCS moves.

"Since joining the PPA storage branch, I've been impressed by the seamless collaboration across all departments to support our mission," said Dawn Mangon, a storage specialist assigned to the activity. "Our team is a dedicated force, continuously balancing the needs of our service members and industry partners while taking great pride in their work and striving for the constant improvement of the program."

Among its lasting contributions is the creation of the unit's slogan: "Your Move, Our Mission," which represents the mission, values and unity of the DOW Personal Property Activity, as well as the organization's unwavering commitment to put people first and ensure every move is handled with precision, care and accountability.

"Creating the identity for the PPA was a huge team effort," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz, PPA media chief, adding that Navy Petty Officer Christopher Crawford had the "heaviest lift," as he was responsible for translating the design into usable product files in a very short window of time.

Mangon and Cruz, along with Jayne Arentsen, PPA data and analytics chief, played pivotal roles in defining fundamental elements of the new activity's identity. Their vision and initiative helped transform an idea into a mission-driven organization.

Cruz said, "The success of the Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force has been a watershed moment. For the first time, we've provided a single, dedicated resource available to every single service member, regardless of rank or branch, as well as our government civilians and their families — breaking down the old barriers to expedite the joint force getting help."

As the next chapter begins, the personnel assigned to the new activity remain committed to its core mission of supporting their customers with professionalism, care and excellence at every step of the PCS journey.

"The trust we have built through the [joint task force's] direct, hands-on approach is the very foundation upon which the Personal Property Agency is built," Cruz said.

American Battle Tactics Help Achieve Victory in Revolutionary War

April 3, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

During the Revolutionary War, the Americans often engaged the British through unconventional warfare, also known as the Fabian strategy.

This strategy involves hit-and-run tactics favored by Continental Army Gen. George Washington, as well as other Army and state militia commanders. 

In this approach, instead of initiating frontal assaults in open fields, soldiers hide behind trees, rocks or structures. They then shot into formations of redcoats before quickly withdrawing into the forest. 

These tactics wore the British down through heavy casualties and lower morale — American casualties were minimized. 

The strategy is named after the Roman army Gen. Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, who used it against Carthage during the Second Punic War, from 218 to 201 B.C.

The American and British soldiers also employed frontal assaults, such as in the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Battle of Long Island. In these pitched battles, soldiers lined up in formations and fired their muskets at each other from about 80 to 100 feet away, getting three or four shots per minute.

As the formations drew closer and with no time to reload their muskets, fighting shifted to bayonets, swords and pikes. 

In addition to these tactics, both sides sent light infantry forward to engage the enemy before the bulk of their forces arrived. They were also used as scouts to determine the enemy's size and location. 

Another key tactic was the siege, which Washington employed at Yorktown, Virginia. The Americans dug trenches, which they used to safely move artillery pieces close to the British, who were surrounded by the Americans on land and by French warships in the Chesapeake Bay.

At sea, tactics aboard warships were different. Ships would pummel each other with cannonballs, hotshot or scattershot, with the goal of sinking the other ship, felling the ship's masts, setting it ablaze and killing sailors.  

Then, as in land combat, close-quarters fighting erupted: as the two ships drew abreast, sailors would jump onto the opposing vessel, killing their enemy with pistols, knives, swords and pikes. 

Meanwhile, reflecting another layer of strategy, Continental Marine sharpshooters took positions on platforms on the mainmast, firing their muskets down at sailors on the other ship. 

Guilty Plea in Federal Murder Case for Killing of U.S. Air Force Reservist

Pensacola, Florida – Charles Carson-Dowdy, 31, of Mobile, Alabama, pleaded guilty in federal court for cyberstalking, interstate domestic violence, murder through use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in relation to the death of Starmichael L. Tucker in Pensacola in early-2025. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, and the aggressive prosecution by my office, this offender will be held accountable for the anguish he has inflicted on the victim’s family through his vicious, deadly, and cowardly violence that stole an innocent life. This case underscores the deadly threats posed by dating and domestic violence, and it is more important than ever to obtain justice for the victims, like Ms. Tucker, to ensure this can never happen again.”

Court documents reveal that Carson-Dowdy, who resided in Mobile, Alabama, and the victim, Ms. Tucker, who resided in Pensacola, Florida, began dating in or about October 2024. During the dating relationship, Carson-Dowdy used cellular telephones, the internet, and a ridesharing business to engage in a course of conduct with the intent to harass and intimidate the victim. At the end of December 2024, Ms. Tucker flew to California to visit family for the holidays. During her trip, Ms. Tucker and Carson-Dowdy had a series of escalating arguments via text message.   

On January 1, 2025, as Ms. Tucker traveled back to Florida from California, she and Carson- Dowdy had a conversation via text message during which the victim attempted to end the relationship with Carson-Dowdy.  In response, Carson-Dowdy, who was at his residence in Mobile, Alabama, used his cellular phone to hail a ride via the Uber ridesharing service and traveled to the victim’s residence in Pensacola, Florida, to confront her. Carson-Dowdy brought a Taurus handgun and an extra loaded magazine with him as he traveled from Alabama to Florida.

Carson-Dowdy entered Ms. Tucker’s home without her permission. She returned home to  Carson-Dowdy waiting for her in the apartment. At approximately 8:00 pm on January 2, 2025, Carson-Dowdy followed Ms. Tucker as she left her apartment and he fired an initial volley of approximately four shots at her using his handgun. The victim was struck from behind by the bullets and collapsed in the apartment parking lot. Carson-Dowdy walked over to Ms. Tucker, who was lying on the ground, and shot her approximately ten more times.  Carson-Dowdy then entered the victim’s vehicle parked nearby, and deliberately ran over Ms. Tucker with the car, reversing the vehicle over her body, and then driving forward, running over her again. Carson-Dowdy then fled from the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Ms. Tucker died from the injuries inflicted by Carson-Dowdy.   

Carson-Dowdy was ultimately located by law enforcement in the victim’s vehicle in Spanish Fort, Alabama. He was taken into custody, and the Taurus handgun used to murder the victim was found inside the car.

Carson-Dowdy faces up to life imprisonment at his sentencing, which is scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 9:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.  

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit, and the Spanish Fort Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg, Kaitlin Weiss, and Jordane New.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Florida National Guard Battalion Performs First Minuteman Rotation

April 2, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Carla Raisler, Army National Guard |

Soldiers assigned to the Florida Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, trained alongside the 82nd Airborne Division during a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana, March 15-20. 

The training marked the first time a guard unit has integrated into an active-duty JRTC rotation under the National Guard's new minuteman rotation concept. 

The concept aligns National Guard annual training with JRTC rotations, allowing units to meet their 15-day requirement while operating alongside active-duty formations. Army National Guard leaders say the approach boosts readiness and interoperability across the total force. 
 
Several senior leaders visited the rotation March 19-20, highlighting the expansion of opportunities for guard units to train in high-intensity environments. 

"This is about building a total force that can close with and destroy the enemy," said Army Lt. Gen. Jon M. Stubbs, Army National Guard director. "What we are seeing here is a National Guard battalion fully integrated with an active-duty brigade, delivering a capability that is critical on today's battlefield." 

At JRTC, often referred to as "the box," units contend with a near-peer opponent, limited resources and extended operations. This environment tests a unit's ability to operate under stress while maintaining command and control across dispersed terrain. 
 
The guard battalion delivered short-range air defense capabilities focusing on countering unmanned aerial systems and low-altitude threats. Soldiers employed AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar and AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense systems while repositioning with maneuver elements to protect command posts, logistics hubs and key terrain. 

A group of soldiers moved with the brigade, while the battalion headquarters operated as a division-level air defense element in a simulated environment. Senior leaders said the integration allowed the unit to train as it would fight in a real-world conflict. 
 
Army Lt. Col. Adam Bailey, commander of the 3rd Battalion, said the unit prepared for the rotation through multiple command post exercises with the 82nd Airborne Division before arriving at the training center. 

"Coming to JRTC, we rapidly integrated into [the] division's scheme of maneuver and protection plan. That enabled us to execute a true short-range air defense mission in support of a division," Bailey said. 
 
The brigade's dispersed operations exposed it to more aerial threats, especially small drones that disrupt command and control or target sustainment operations. 
 
Army Col. Daniel Leard, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander, said the guard unit filled a critical capability gap. 

"Air defense is a critical enabler — we could not have executed our mission without them," Leard said. "The soldiers of [the National Guard battalion] integrated with our team on the fly. They were experts on their systems and that made an immediate impact." 
 
In addition to aligning training, the minuteman rotation enables units to build readiness in a high-intensity environment alongside active-duty forces. 
 
Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Kendrick, who previously served as the command sergeant major of the Florida National Guard, said the training reflects how the force will operate in future conflicts. 
 
"This is exactly where our soldiers need to be," Kendrick said. "Training at this level, with this kind of realism, ensures they are ready to deploy and fight as part of a larger team." 
 
The approach does not replace traditional Army National Guard rotations but expands access to advanced training while supporting soldiers' civilian careers, education and communities. Stubbs said the goal is to integrate a guard element into every JRTC rotation. 
 
For junior soldiers, the experience highlighted the pace and complexity of modern warfare. 
 
"You see how everything connects," said Army Sgt. Jason Dumervile, Florida National Guard. "We are not just protecting ourselves — we are protecting the whole brigade so they can accomplish their mission." 

Florida National Guard leaders say the battalion's performance demonstrates the value of integrating guard units into active-duty training environments as the Army adapts to evolving threats. 
 
"I'm incredibly proud of our Florida guardsmen," said Army Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, Florida adjutant general. "They're highly disciplined and have benefitted from great leadership to ensure they're trained and ready."

Face of Defense: A Guardian's Story, From Home to the Tactical Edge

April 1, 2026 | By John Ayre, Space Force Combat Forces Command |

For Space Force Tech. Sgt. Alaowei W. Monibidor, the call to deploy came with little warning. In just two weeks, he would leave his home in Maryland for a six-month tour in a location he could not be told over the phone. Yet his answer was an immediate "yes."

Space Force Tech. Sgt. Alaowei W. Monibidor

Job: Mission Readiness Section Chief

Stationed: Fort Meade, Md.

Unit: Detachment 2, 53rd Space Operations Squadron, Space Delta 8

This rapid departure and the high-stakes mission that followed underscore the agility and commitment of Space Force guardians and the families who support them. 

As the mission readiness section chief for Detachment 2, 53rd Space Operations Squadron, Space Delta 8, Monibidor's job isn't on the front lines of satellite control. 

"Instead, my primary focus is proactive: ensuring the squadron's personnel are flawlessly trained and ready to perform their mission 24/7," Monibidor explained. 

His deployment, however, would take him to the tactical edge of space operations, supporting joint and coalition partners across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. 

Family Resilience

The decision to volunteer for a short-notice deployment was made possible by a crucial conversation he and his wife had months earlier.  

"I sought her support to accept a future deployment opportunity, and despite the anticipated challenges, she affirmed her understanding of the demands of my career path," Monibidor shared. "Her agreement was vital, as I believe deeply in confronting these professional realities as a united front." 

That unity was tested by the pace of his departure. 

"This deployment came with unexpected swiftness," Monibidor said. "This meant immediate cancellations and an abrupt shift for everyone. The final two weeks of preparation were mentally draining, but seeing my family's resilience made all the difference." 

The untold story of military families, Monibidor emphasized, is one of unseen resilience. "The family runs its own parallel mission at home. Their strength is the silent, uncelebrated foundation of our own." 

Critical Missions

His deployment saw him providing critical space electronic warfare command and control to four combatant commands, a role that shifted dramatically depending on the region. Supporting NATO and U.S. European Command involved collective defense within a formal alliance, a stark contrast to missions in the more volatile U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. 

"It was a fundamental pivot from deterring a peer adversary to actively countering violent extremist organizations and state-sponsored aggression," Monibidor noted. 

A highlight of his time supporting NATO-Eucom was his involvement in a special operations forces exercise, the highest level of strategic military simulation. 

"My role was to provide the commanders and their staff with missile threat warning[s] and options for space electronic warfare command and control against a near-peer adversary," Monibidor said.  

This experience was vital in preparing for the real-world crises he would face in Centcom's area of operations. In the Middle East, his space electronic warfare command and control, or SEW C2, support was paramount. 

"My support for SEW C2 revolved around maintaining friendly access to and superiority in the space domain, while denying or degrading the adversary's ability to use space for their operations," he explained. 

This became critically important during Operation Midnight Hammer, a complex joint operation aimed at degrading Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. 

"I coordinated directly with [U.S. Space Forces – Central] to synchronize the electronic warfare effects of 11 joint units, delivering unified effects for the commander of U.S. Central Command, directly enabling the strike force to penetrate Iran's contested airspace, precisely destroy its targets and return safely," Monibidor recounted. "Trust was built when leaders saw a consistent pattern. I learned to provide them with precisely what they needed to make difficult decisions." 

A Strategic Expert

Guardians like Monibidor are a decisive advantage, said Space Force Master Sgt. Austin Adams, 53rd Space Operations Squadron training superintendent and Monibidor's frontline supervisor. "Space is a complex, technical domain, and he excels in the bridge between joint and coalition partners. His strategic thinking allows him to translate our sophisticated space capabilities into understandable, synchronized effects for our partners. Having an expert like him on the front lines is mission-essential for modern, integrated warfare." 

Reflecting on his deployment, Monibidor is proud of both his professional and personal accomplishments. Professionally, he is proud of "using our capabilities to directly protect the U.S and its coalition partners from a real-world threat, proving our worth at the tactical edge." 

But his greatest pride lies with his family. "Their stability at home is the bedrock that allows me to do my job, and that is my greatest accomplishment," he said. 

This deployment served as a powerful reminder of the Space Force's integral role in modern warfare. 

"This deployment proves that space isn't a separate or future battlefield; it's integral to every joint operation happening right now," Monibidor asserted. 

Being a guardian at the tactical edge, Monibidor concluded, "means being the final link, translating our nation's strategic space assets into tangible combat effects for soldiers, pilots and sailors on the ground. At the edge, space superiority isn't a concept; it's the daily, hands-on mission of ensuring our joint and coalition partners can fight and win."

Department of War Annual Recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

April 2, 2026 |

The Department of War recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month as part of its ongoing efforts to counter sexual assault in the Total Force.

"Sexual assault is unacceptable, period, and has no place in our military. It is contrary to our institutional values, the warrior ethos, and our overall readiness," said Anthony J. Tata, under secretary of war for personnel and readiness, adding that, "Awareness, prevention, and support are a shared responsibility. We expect every member of the Department of War community to help root out harmful behaviors, maintain standards, and continue to drive necessary change throughout the force."

Eliminating sexual assault in the military requires unwavering, year-round commitment. The ongoing DoW sexual assault awareness and prevention campaign, "STEP FORWARD: Prevent. Report. Advocate," calls on the Total Force to confront and counter harmful behaviors, provide victim assistance, and strengthen command climates.

"The warrior ethos demands integrity, honor, and courage — on and off the battlefield. Sexual assault violates every one of those values," said Dr. Nate Galbreath, director of the Department's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. "To Step Forward is to live up to those expectations. It means having the integrity to intervene, the courage to seek help, and the honor to create a climate of dignity and respect. Those standards build a lethal force where every warfighter is safe, respected, and ready for the fight."

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the Safe Helpline at (877) 995-5247 or SafeHelpline.org/live-chat for anonymous, 24/7, one-on-one support.

More information can be found on the SAPRO website at https://www.sapr.mil/saapm.

3rd Special Forces Group Pioneers Transformation for Multidomain Operations

April 1, 2026 | By Army Maj. Justin Zwick, 3rd Special Forces Group |

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and evolving warfare, special operations stands at the forefront of transformation. As the Army adapts to the pressing demands of a battlefield plagued with changing threats, 3rd Special Forces Group is spearheading a significant transformation.

In an invigorated effort to enable multidomain operations, 3rd Special Forces Group is transforming its legacy military intelligence company into a robust multidomain operations company. The move not only enhances the capabilities of special operations but also aligns with the broader initiative to foster interdependence, interoperability and integration across the force.

The transition to a multidomain company is just a small part of a comprehensive transformation strategy aligned with the Army's modernization efforts. The new structure consolidates the group's intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities under a single company, highlighting the significance of this shift in operational capabilities. 

As battalions across the formation use their forces to meet strategic-level objectives, the newly structured company is taking on an increased responsibility for the training and readiness of signals intelligence and electronic warfare soldiers within the formation.

"One of the key initiatives that we have done is assumed responsibility of the advanced collection training team, which is helping to facilitate a streamlined training glidepath for the group's [signals intelligence] and [electronic warfare] assets," said Army Capt. Andrew Reynolds, multidomain operations company commander.

As the company adjusts to its new role in the group, it is returning to foundational intelligence practices, drawing on insights from 1980s doctrine.

"We are analyzing current [geopolitical] events, like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the large-scale military drills in China, and applying decades-old doctrine to better understand how we can effectively counter near-peer threats during large-scale combat operations," Reynolds explained as he emphasized the impacts of preparing soldiers for the complexities of modern warfare.

Despite ongoing advancements and an overall transformation of warfighting systems, the company is still developing new solutions to mitigate the challenges of integrating intelligence capabilities with the conventional force and joint partners.  

"We are working to identify solutions to efficiently and effectively support the targeting process with real-time data," Reynolds said. "The networks and systems we use do not always 'talk' to one another, leading our soldiers to use slow and outdated techniques to feed targeting."

To enhance collaboration and integration practices across the force, Reynolds and his company are engaging with Army corps-level commands to execute comprehensive training that tests the company's systems and capabilities. In line with Army transformation efforts, the formation is exploring the application of future artificial intelligence to feed joint systems, enhancing data analysis and streamlining the targeting process across the joint force.

Meeting the Army's growing demands requires innovation, adaptability and realistic training. To meet these demands, the company is executing certification, validation and verification training events to ensure the formation's readiness for deployment in support of large-scale combat and stability operations.

At higher command levels, the company is curating training and an operational support model that meets the unique demands of unconventional warfare in a contemporary warfare environment.

While the special operations enterprise is transforming at an unprecedented rate to meet the growing demands of warfare, no transformation is equal to it. The 3rd Special Forces Group's tailored approach not only meets the unit's unique needs but also reinforces the holistic objectives of multidomain operations.

Through this transformation, the multidomain operations company is positioning itself to lead the way in innovative intelligence solutions, ensuring the joint force is prepared to face future challenges.

Department of War Releases Its Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for Calendar Year 2024

March 31, 2026 |

The Department of War released its seventh Annual Report on Suicide in the Military for Calendar Year 2024 today. The Department remains steadfast in our commitment to suicide prevention, and takes a comprehensive, integrated approach to suicide prevention efforts to strengthen the health, safety, and wellbeing of our warriors and their families and advance force readiness.

This report presents recent suicide data for service members and — where available — their families and describes efforts underway to combat suicide across the Department. It contains the most comprehensive, accurate data available, and meets the highest standards of quality and integrity in support of our military community.

Across the Total Force, 471 service members died by suicide in CY 2024, which is less than in CY 2023, when 531 service members died by suicide. Suicide rates for service members in CY 2024 are as follows, as compared to CY 2023:

• The Total Force suicide rate decreased by approximately 11%. 
• The Active Component suicide rate decreased by approximately 16%. 
• The Reserve suicide rate decreased by approximately 14%. 
• The National Guard suicide rate increased by approximately 13%. 

Over time, for the Active Component, suicide rates have gradually increased from calendar year 2011 to calendar year 2024. For the Reserve Component, including the National Guard, suicide rates have remained stable over the same period.

After accounting for age and sex, military suicide rates have been similar to those of the U.S. population in most years between calendar year 2011 and calendar year 2024. Firearms continue to be the primary method of death by suicide.

Recognizing that every death by suicide is a tragedy, the Department will continue to take action to support our men and women in uniform and their families, promote the wellbeing and resilience of the force, and take steps to prevent suicide in our military community. The Department continues to develop its support services, in part, by expanding the availability and accessibility of clinical services, such as telehealth. As part of The Brandon Act, Service members can also self-refer for mental health evaluations. Ongoing research ensures the Department remains responsive to the evolving needs of Service members and their families.

Service members and veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Service member or veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans/Military Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 988 and Press 1, text 838225, chat online at MilitaryCrisisLine.net.

The Annual Report on Suicide in the Military is posted at: https://www.dspo.mil/.

 

Last Surviving World War II Triple Ace Laid to Rest

March 31, 2026 | By Arlington National Cemetery |

More than 100 people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, yesterday to honor and remember retired Air Force Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson, the last surviving World War II triple ace, a pilot who has downed at least 15 enemy aircraft, and one of the most distinguished fighter pilots in American history.

Anderson, who passed away at age 102 in 2024, was laid to rest in section 38, joining his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Eleanor Cosby, who was buried in 2015.

The full military funeral honors with escort service commenced with a double flyover: first by four F-35 Lightning IIs, followed by four World War II-era P-51 Mustangs, two of which bore the name "Old Crow," the name of Anderson's fighter. A horse-drawn caisson carried Anderson's urn to section 38, where an Air Force firing team shot three volleys, a bugler sounded "Taps" and a bagpiper concluded the ceremony by playing "Amazing Grace." 

Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew Lloyd, who oversaw the service, told the mourners, "In life, Bud Anderson honored the flag with his service to the nation; now, it is our honor to present our nation's flag in honorable and faithful service."  

After the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard crisply folded the American flag over Anderson's urn, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach presented it to Anderson's son, Jim, who then passed it to his sister, Katherine Burlington, seated next to him. "We're sharing it," he later explained. 

Receiving the flag from Wilsbach humbled Jim. "I appreciate that he would take time out of his busy schedule to be here," he said. Both siblings were deeply moved by the service, particularly the double flyover. While Jim had worked to ensure that the P-51s would be part of the ceremony, the addition of the F-35s came as a surprise. "That was really special," he said. 

Anderson's journey to becoming an aviation legend began in the 1920s, when he was growing up on a California farm and became fascinated by airplanes flying overhead. In 1941, at age 19, he earned his private pilot's license.  

He joined the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program in January 1942, shortly after the United States entered World War II, and was commissioned in the Army Air Forces  later that year.  

During World War II, Anderson served two tours with the 363rd Fighter Squadron, flying P-51 Mustangs that escorted heavy bombers — helping to win Allied air supremacy over Europe. He flew 116 individual combat missions that resulted in 16 downed aircraft and one shared combat victory, earning him triple ace status. After World War II, Anderson remained in the Army and then the Air Force, after it was established as a separate service branch in 1947.  

As a fighter pilot, test pilot, and combat and operational commander, Anderson logged over 7,500 flight hours and flew more than 130 types of aircraft. His many decorations include five Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Legion of Merits, 16 Air Medals, and the French Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre. 

Yet Anderson's legacy is not defined by numbers alone. After he retired from the Air Force in 1972, he became a public ambassador for the World War II generation and America's achievements in aviation. Through his 1990 memoir and frequent speaking engagements, Anderson brought to life the experience of aerial combat and the significance of military service.  

Reflecting on his father's influence, Jim — who attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, served during the Vietnam War and then became a commercial airline pilot — said, "When I was in the Air Force, I tried to keep it a secret who my father was because I wanted to make [my career] my own. But eventually people would find out." 

Anderson continued flying until the age of 90. In 2022, he was honored at the nation's largest aviation convention, where he took his last flight, as a passenger, in a P-51. He was 100 years old. 

Beyond his remarkable career, Anderson was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Jim and Katherine each shared fond memories of their father. 

The funeral at Arlington National Cemetery offered a poignant farewell to a beloved family man and aviation icon.  

"Bud Anderson is a hero and legend in air combat; he wrote the playbook," Wilsbach said. "He mastered his craft, flew with immense courage and leaves a legacy of service that will inspire generations."