Florida National Guard Advances Battlefield Capabilities During Drone Crucible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marines Enhance Anti-Ship Tactics in Hawaii

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Clinical Guideline Helps Keep Women 'Optimized for the Fight'

Oct. 6, 2026 | By Andrew Ortuzar, Defense Health Agency |

The Department of Veterans Affairs and War Department have jointly released a clinical practice guideline to help clinicians provide improved care for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause. 

"We want both patients and clinicians to know there are safe and effective treatments for women who are experiencing bothersome symptoms of perimenopause and menopause," said Air Force Maj. Kathleen Pombier, chief of the Defense Health Agency's women's health clinical management team. "Individualized treatment is key. The focus needs to be on whole-person care." 

The guideline's recommendations cover diagnosis, menopausal symptom management and treatment safety. Topics include hot flashes, sleep problems, mood and cognitive changes, genitourinary symptoms, sexual dysfunction, bone health, weight management, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer risk. 

Supporting Military Readiness 

Women are an essential and growing part of the military force as well as the fastest-growing group among veterans and VA healthcare beneficiaries, Pombier said. The guideline provides a common framework for a continuity of care across both healthcare systems. 

"When we look at the VA, the average age of those patients is within the perimenopausal and menopausal range," said Army Col. Erin Keyser, director of medical education at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio. "This is a very important issue for these patients."

Perimenopause and menopause are natural life transitions during which a woman's menstrual periods stop permanently, and she is no longer able to become pregnant — with perimenopause referring to the time leading up to menopause, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

Hormonal changes can disrupt sleep, mood, cognition and daily functioning for some patients, ultimately impacting readiness, Pombier said. 

"When your sleep's affected, you're not going to do your job as well," she emphasized, adding that identifying and treating symptoms early helps women remain ready to serve. 

"By having clinicians identify symptoms earlier and recognize that it's not something women just have to deal with — it's actually something we can treat — it ensures we have every woman optimized for the fight," she said. 

Effective care can also reduce stigma and help women stay in the military and pursue leadership opportunities, Keyser said.  

Tailoring Treatment to Each Patient 

Treatment decisions should reflect each patient's symptoms, health history, preferences and risks, Pombier said.  

Diagnosis generally relies on symptoms and a discussion with the patient.  

For vasomotor symptoms, like hot flashes and night sweats, the guideline addresses hormonal treatments including estrogen, progesterone and nonhormonal options, including certain antidepressants and gabapentin. Nonhormonal treatments may help women who cannot use systemic hormones or prefer other options.   

The guideline also addresses treatment for breast cancer survivors.  

"Many breast cancer survivors don't know local estrogen is still an option, even with a history of breast cancer," she said. "We also have multiple other nonhormonal options for this specific patient population which are covered in the [guideline]." 

Individualized treatment is key. The focus needs to be on whole-person care."

Air Force Maj. Kathleen Pombier, chief of the Defense Health Agency's women's health clinical management team

Other recommendations address sleep, mood, genitourinary and sexual-health concerns, which may arise during menopause.

"For sleep symptoms, we talk a lot about cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, which is one of the strong evidence-based methods we can use to help women when they're struggling," Pombier said. 

She stressed that care must be individualized.  

"We need to recognize the midlife transition, talk to our patient, assess their symptoms, understand their priorities, review with them the risks and the benefits and ultimately use shared decision-making to figure out how we should best treat them," she said. 

Practical Tools for Clinicians 

The guideline includes four diagnostic and treatment flowcharts for diagnosis and a pocket card that matches symptoms with recommended treatments. 

Providers can use these tools during appointments to determine whether one treatment could address several concerns. 

The tools also help clinicians at remote military hospitals and clinics without an obstetrician or gynecologist on staff, Keyser said. The guideline directs providers to related clinical guidance when patients need further evaluation or treatment. 

"Everyone deserves to have high-quality care regardless of where they're stationed," she added. 

For Pombier, the shared standards support consistent care across specialties and help service members transition to VA care.  

The working group developed the recommendations using patient focus groups and systematic evidence reviews. It weighed evidence quality, benefits and harms, patient preferences and access to care.

"We wanted to be transparent on the basis for care," Pombier said. "Here is the evidence that we have, here is how strong or weak it is, but also here are the areas where we think we need more evidence before we can make firm recommendations." 

Keyser said the guideline demonstrates a commitment to addressing menopause-related concerns. 

"We are taking this subject seriously, and we care about the women in our healthcare system," she said. "We want to provide them high-quality care."

Air Force Captain Finds Resilience Through Endurance Running

Oct. 5, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Cheyenne Lewis Roberts, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs |

Military service demands sustained physical and mental resilience. Air Force Capt. John Blasingame put that standard to the test in the Bigfoot 200, a 200-mile ultramarathon marked by steep elevation changes, unforgiving terrain and up to 107 hours of sleep deprivation.

As the Headquarters Air Force A2 Directorate for Intelligence Analysis, Partnerships and Engagement executive officer, Blasingame is no stranger to demanding operations. More than a distance event, the race tests endurance, judgment and recovery under prolonged stress; it profoundly evaluates how the human mind and body function when pushed past the threshold of complete exhaustion. 

His path to ultra-running was born out of personal crisis, not athletic ambition. In 2022, while stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, he faced severe mental health struggles that led to hospitalization. 

"There were a lot of things in my life that I was trying to fix on my own power ... that I just couldn't fix," Blasingame recalled. "I decided I need to go back to the basics. I need to just try to find peace." 

Seeking that peace, he began waking up before dawn to listen to worship music and run on the Hickam track. 

What began as a coping outlet developed into a disciplined commitment to endurance running. In 2023, he completed his first marathon. By 2025, he ran 12 ultra-marathons in 12 months. In 2026, he won five races outright, set two course records and ranked in the top 100 nationally. 

Bigfoot was a steppingstone toward his ultimate objective of winning the Grand Slam of 200-Mile Ultra-Marathons, a feat few can achieve, even among the world's most resilient athletes.

For Blasingame, ultra-running is more than a physical challenge. The sport builds the physical endurance, mental discipline and resilience that support combat readiness. 

"A warrior, as I understand the concept, is just someone who is willing to be broken and is willing to engage with his or her own weakness," he said. "You don't get strength apart from weakness, and in the same way, I think ultra-running reveals that to me in a very tangible way. No one ever finishes without these really dark moments where you think, 'this sucks,' but you make the decision to take another step forward." 

But just as no solo operator wins on the battlefield, no ultra-runner conquers 200 miles alone. Behind the captain is his father, Don, his ultimate support system, who came to Hawaii during his darkest hours and continues to support him on the trail.

"Running became an expression of the healing, discipline and sense of purpose that were already developing in him," his father reflected. "Over time, running gave John another way to challenge himself and discover what he was capable of. As John's father, I'm incredibly proud of the runner he has become, but I'm much prouder of the man he continues to become. I've watched him grow in discipline, resilience, humility and faith." 

When the race commenced Aug. 14, Blasingame's discipline and his father's support were put to the test. The Cascade Mountains presented a relentless obstacle course of steep climbs, spotty satellite tracking and zero cell coverage — forcing Blasingame's crew to drive nearly 1,000 miles along winding mountain passes to meet him at remote aid stations. 

The physical and emotional toll was immediate. At his lowest points, huddled alone in the dark at mile 37, and again at miles 102 and 118, the mountain fog rolled in and Blasingame's competitive expectations began to slip away. He found himself lying devastated at aid stations, too exhausted to run. During those critical breaks, his support team stepped in to manage the physical toll, ensuring he rested and refueled before sending him back out onto the course. 

With his team by his side, his deep faith and his personal mantra, "stand up again," he was determined to drive forward and conquer the Bigfoot 200. Rather than fighting the clock, he used Scripture as a quiet anchor in the dirt, choosing to fight the simple battle of perseverance one step at a time.

Blasingame pushed through the final, grueling miles toward the finish line, completing the 206-mile course in just over 81 hours. While his athletic drive left him slightly disappointed with his overall competitive standing, the deeper victory was unmistakable. 

"The finish line wasn't a cinematic moment — it was a jumble of gratitude and raw, physical exhaustion," Blasingame said. "The lesson that this race reinforced is that strength isn't about being invincible; it's about what you do after your break. My hope is that when some of my airmen hit their own inevitable breaking points, they will look at my mess, see how I have found strength to stand back up and realize they can likewise find strength in their own brokenness."

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. Alvin York

 Oct. 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Sgt. Alvin C. York, an infantryman, received the Medal of Honor for valor due to his heroic actions during a World War I operation in France, actions that would be immortalized in the 1941 film "Sergeant York."

York was born Dec. 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee. His father, William Uriah York, was a blacksmith, hunter and farmer on their 75-acre plot. His mother, Mary Elizabeth York, was a busy housewife, tending to their 11 children. York had minimal schooling. He helped with the farm and became a sharpshooter, skills honed from years of hunting. 

In November 1917, York was drafted into the Army, despite claiming conscientious objector status. He went to basic military training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division, the unit he would remain with throughout the war. 

In June 1918, he arrived in France. In September, his regiment participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and later engaged in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest World War I American operation.

During this offensive and on the date of his valor, Oct. 8, 1918, York, a corporal at the time, and his unit were tasked with capturing a railroad. The platoon got lost in the forest behind enemy lines and soon were met with machine-gun fire.  

Nine members were killed, including all of the noncommissioned officers, leading York to assume command of the platoon. Fearlessly leading the remaining seven men, he charged toward a machine-gun nest which was pouring incessant fire at his platoon.  

At the time, York was carrying a rifle and a pistol. During his heroic ordeal, he used his hunting skills to silence the machine-gun nest, killing 25 Germans and leading to the enemy commander surrendering. All in all, his unit took 132 prisoners. 

York was promoted to sergeant Nov. 10, 1918, just a day before the end of the war, honored today as Veterans Day. The Medal of Honor was presented to him the following April in France, by Army Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan, 82nd Infantry Division commander. 

On May 22, 1919, he arrived back in the U.S., to a hero's welcome, aboard the cargo ship SS Ohioan and was discharged from the Army a week later. 

The next month, he married his childhood sweetheart, Gracie Loretta Williams. They had eight children, with three of his sons going on to serve in the military. 

Following the war, local nonprofit and other civic organizations raised enough money to build York a large, two-story home and to purchase 400 acres of land for him along the Wolf River in Pall Mall. 

York committed the rest of his life to philanthropic causes, establishing a Bible school in his hometown, founding the Alvin C. York Foundation to increase economic and education opportunities in eastern Tennessee and founding the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee. 

During World War II, York tried to reenlist and serve in combat. However, he had health issues that prevented his request. Instead, he served stateside as an Army major, in the Army Signal Corps giving motivational speeches to troops, teaching marksmanship and promoting war bonds. 

York died Sept. 2, 1964, and was buried at Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall. His wife died Sept. 27, 1984, and was buried beside him. 

York's grandson, retired Army Col. Gerald E. York, was in the Army for 31 years, serving in combat during the Vietnam War. He continues to work to preserve his grandfather's legacy, running the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, which supports education opportunities in eastern Tennessee. 

His Medal of Honor is on display at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. 

The site of his birthplace log cabin and his postwar farmhouse are preserved as part of the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall.

The film "Sergeant York" is loosely based on his upbringing and wartime experience. Gary Cooper, the lead actor, won an Academy Award for his realistic portrayal of York. 

A bronze statue of him is on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The Alvin C. York Institute that he founded is now a high school. The Alvin C. York Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the Alvin C. York Bridge that spans the Tennessee River are named for him, as well as York Avenue in New York City.

Kentucky Guardsmen Sharpen Capabilities Alongside NATO Partners

Oct. 1, 2026 | By Dale Greer,123rd Airlift Wing |

Airmen assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard enhanced their global capabilities while training alongside NATO partners from the United Kingdom and Canada in Scotland this summer. 

The guardsmen deployed four C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, 62,000 pounds of equipment and 60 personnel to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire, Scotland, Aug. 14-22. 

While there, they conducted specialized fueling operations, low-level formation flying and rapid-reaction aircraft launches to maintain combat mission certifications. The airmen also completed maritime equipment and personnel airdrops, including two open-ocean rescue scenarios with a helicopter unit assigned to the British Royal Navy. 

"The deployment was designed to accomplish a large amount of C-130J continuation and tactical training while taking advantage of an unfamiliar overseas operating environment and opportunities to work directly with allied partners," said Air Force Lt. Col. Nick Reinke, the mission commander and a C-130 pilot assigned to the 165th Airlift Squadron. 

He added that while many of the individual training events could be conducted in the U.S., it is much harder to reproduce an unfamiliar environment.  

"At home station, crews know the airspace, air traffic control procedures, airfields, support agencies and local practices," Reinke said. "In Scotland, even something as routine as a proficiency circuit required crews to understand and coordinate with a different [air traffic control] system." 

Reinke said coordination with host nation agencies was critical to the exercise's success. 

"That forces crews to solve the kinds of interoperability, communication, planning and adaptation problems they encounter when operating globally. Worldwide capability is more than simply being able to fly across the Atlantic. It means arriving with the people and equipment needed to operate, understanding an unfamiliar airspace and support structure, integrating with allied forces, adapting when weather or circumstances change the plan, and continuing to accomplish the mission." 

Reinke added that the deployment also underscored the importance of relationships. 

The Kentucky unit, based in Louisville, worked closely with civilian support agencies at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to complete specialized fueling operations, during which a C-130J was refueled while its engines were still running. Reinke said this "hot pit" method validated the airport's ability to support the technique and provided practical experience to host-nation fuel personnel. 

"That partnership leaves behind a more capable location for follow-on and allied forces in the future, rather than the benefit ending when our deployment ended," he noted. 

One of the deployment's key accomplishments was a five-ship formation flight, conducted with four Kentucky aircraft and one C-130J from the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

"The Canadian aircraft commander was actually a U.S. Marine Corps exchange pilot," Reinke said. "That meant our mission planning and briefing had to reconcile U.S. Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps procedures and terminology to make sure everyone had the same understanding before execution. That is exactly the kind of interoperability that is difficult to simulate." 

The deployment's other main focus was open-ocean rescue. 

The scenario required a U.S. Air Force C-130 crew to locate a stranded airman floating in a life raft on the Atlantic Ocean, miles from shore. Loadmasters then airdropped an inflatable motorboat near the victim, and three special tactics airmen used precision jumpmaster techniques to parachute into the ocean, deploy the boat and provide first aid. Once complete, they coordinated with the Royal Navy's 814 Naval Air Squadron to execute helicopter hoist operations and extract the victim as the C-130 provided overwatch. 

"The integration with the Royal Navy was one of the highlights of the exercise," Reinke said. "It allowed our pararescue personnel and C-130J crews to integrate fixed-wing airdrop, maritime rescue, rotary-wing insertion and recovery, and on-scene command and control with a NATO partner." 

A pararescue flight chief for the special tactics team described the operating environment in Scotland as "vastly different" from training locations in the United States. 

"It's a lot colder here, and the salt water is an unusual factor for us," he said. "The Royal Navy also uses different geolocation methods, and they have different tactics and techniques than we typically employ." 

He noted that the Royal Navy's helicopter, a Merlin Mk2, generates substantially more rotor wash than the UH-60 Black Hawk. 

"Those are the kinds of things you don't anticipate, but we were able to work through them and figure out what worked best for their guys and for us," the airman said. "We had to be flexible on the spot to get the mission done." 

Royal Navy Capt. James Hall said the exercise provided valuable opportunities for the Merlin Mk2 force to enhance capabilities outside of its normal role in antisubmarine warfare. 

"Exercises such as this, conducted alongside our United States Air Force partners, enable our crews to maintain and enhance critical search and rescue skills, while strengthening the interoperability that underpins NATO's collective security," he said. 

Royal Navy Lt. S. Cass, a flight commander assigned to the 814 Naval Air Squadron, agreed, adding that he hopes to continue working with "our friends across the pond" in the years to come. 

Reinke called the deployment an unqualified success, not necessarily for any single event but for the readiness training they were able to layer into one exercise. 

"We were able to use legitimate flight training requirements to generate maximum value, ensuring worldwide readiness while working with our international partners," he said. "We also were able to build strong human relationships with the men and women of our partner nations, laying the kind of foundation that makes coalition operations successful."

Marine Corps Achieves FY26 Recruiting Mission, Secures Strong Start for FY27

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Jim Edwards, Marine Corps Recruiting Command |

Marine Corps Recruiting Command exceeded its fiscal year 2026 recruiting mission across every component and category, leading a historic, departmentwide rebound in military enlistments.

Defying national trends and proving that the appeal of elite service remains unmatched, the Marine Corps' relentless recruiting force accessed 31,250 enlisted Marines, 1,672 officers, and 3,503 prior service reserve Marines in FY26. Notably, Marine recruiters maintained the Corps' legendary high-quality standards, exceeding War Department accession baselines in all categories.

This achievement directly aligns with the department's emphasis on the value of service.

"Our success this year is a testament to the disciplined execution of our elite recruiting force on the streets of America," said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Walker M. Field, Marine Corps Recruiting Command commanding general.

"Likewise, it is emblematic of the legion of young Americans who are choosing, of their own volition, to serve this great nation of ours. The few young Americans who earn the title of Marine espouse the rare trifecta of physical, intellectual and moral fortitude to become elite warriors."

While recruiting duty remains challenging, the landscape in FY26, to include honoring the nation's 250th birthday, was the most favorable in the past five years. Driven by a high volume of interested applicants and paired with historically strong retention rates across the Corps, Marine recruiters not only met their goals; they aggressively positioned the service for the future. 

Remarkably, the Marine Corps Recruiting Command has already contracted more than half of its entire FY27 mission, establishing a resilient, ready recruiting pool.

"Our Marines have performed superbly, and they represent our Corps with pride and honor," said Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jesse J. Dorsey, Marine Corps Recruiting Command sergeant major.

This sustained success aligns with and is accelerated by what the secretary of the Navy calls the department's "fight for the narrative," a unified public messaging strategy that ensures the American people understand the unmatched career, educational and professional value of military service.

Marines to Support NATO Security Initiative in Baltic Sea

Oct. 1, 2026 | By Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott Schmidt, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa |

A specialized team of Marines deployed to Europe will be redirected to the Baltic Sea region to support the NATO-led enhanced vigilance activity Baltic Sentry. 

Approximately four dozen Marines assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, will operate alongside Finland's Coastal Brigade to provide advanced expeditionary surveillance and tactical reconnaissance capabilities. The activity is designed to enhance maritime domain awareness to protect critical undersea infrastructure and support overall security in the region. 

Baltic Sentry represents a highly integrated collective defense effort. European allies lead the effort under Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and Allied Maritime Command, with the U.S. Marine Corps serving in a supportive, enabling capacity. 

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Shipley, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa commander, said the operational design is a premier example of European allies spearheading regional maritime security while the U.S. projects highly specialized, agile force multipliers. 

"Our participation in Baltic Sentry demonstrates the dynamic agility of the Marine Corps to rapidly project specialized capabilities where they are most effective," he said. "Working side by side with our Finnish allies strengthens our collective readiness, ensuring we can operate seamlessly as a cohesive, lethal team to deter hybrid threats in the Baltic littoral." 

The rotation will leverage the unique capabilities of reconnaissance Marines, including small unmanned aerial systems and littoral sensors, to feed vital data directly into the shared NATO common operational picture. 

"The experience, skills and systems of the U.S. Marine Corps are perfectly suited for supplementing our situation picture and supporting our monitoring of the Baltic Sea," said Finnish Navy Capt. Johan Tillander, Finland Navy Command chief of operations. 

Maintaining stability along Europe's critical maritime choke points protects the physical and economic security of the transatlantic community. As a defensive vigilance activity, Baltic Sentry underscores the alliance's immediate readiness, technological adaptability, and collective resolve to deter and decisively defeat any threat to regional stability.

Between Jumps: The Work Behind a 2-Hour Airborne Mission

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Dana Rosso, Alaska National Guard |

Inside the King 98 — a call sign for an HC-130J Combat King II — loadmasters prepared for another group of jumpers while the aircrew set up the next approach. 

A completed parachute drop meant finishing a checklist, rerigging the static-line retrieval system and checking it again. As the King 98 climbed, the crew gathered wind data to determine where the next jumpers should exit.

"The biggest change between each pass, especially the static-line jumps, is the rigging," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Gunia, a loadmaster assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard. "We have to rerig our static-line retrieval system."

The crew put that preparation into practice during a Sept. 23 mission over Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska. In less than two hours of flight time, the crew supported active-duty Army and Air National Guard parachutists at three altitudes, deployed free-fall parabundles and practiced visual and instrument landing system approaches at Elmendorf Field.

The jumpers included pararescuemen assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron and active-duty Army paratroopers assigned to the 4th Quartermaster Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

The two groups' parachute systems required different approaches. The Army's static-line systems offer limited steering, so the aircrew has to calculate a release point based on winds, aircraft speed and the time jumpers need to exit. The pararescuemen's more maneuverable parachutes gave them greater ability to steer toward the target.

"The stricter drop parameters for the Army jumps compared to the 212th highlight the importance of coordinating and planning carefully with two different users with different demands," said Air Force Capt. Tyler Dent, a 211th Rescue Squadron combat systems officer.

That coordination began the day before the flight. The aircrew and jumpers planned the mission. Once aboard, the loadmasters reviewed the aircraft's setup with the jumpmasters to resolve any remaining questions.

During the drops, Gunia and other loadmasters counted jumpers who were standing and connected to the static line, checking for any differences against the briefed plan. Between static-line passes, the loadmasters rerigged the cable and winch used to retrieve deployment bags after jumpers exited. Gunia said the system could also retrieve a jumper being towed behind the aircraft if the jumper could not be released.

"Experienced crews can complete this in under five minutes," Dent said, "and in that time the crew in the front end is evaluating winds and setting up for their next approach."

The mission called for Army static-line jumps at 1,000 feet, pararescuemen static-line jumps at 3,000 feet and military free-fall jumps at 10,000 feet. During climbs, the aircrew leveled off periodically to collect wind data. Lower-altitude winds closely matched the forecast, but the winds at higher altitudes differed enough for Dent to update his calculations.

Light winds at 10,000 feet presented another challenge. Releasing near the center of the launch acceptability region, the area where jumpers could exit and still reach their intended target, would place the free-fall jumpers almost directly above that point. During the run-in, Dent and the pararescuemen jumpmaster discussed moving the release farther north so the jumpers could see the target and steer toward it.

"We elected to release on the outer ring of the [launch acceptability region] to allow the jumpers to make good visual contact with the [intended landing point] and put them in a position to drive toward it rather than wheeling down from directly overhead," Dent said.

The adjustment demonstrated how coordination between the flight crew and jumpers shaped each pass. 

"Everyone needs to be on the same page to make everything happen," Gunia said. "If there are issues or confusion, we pause the checklist and do not proceed until it is cleared up."

Navy High-Speed Wi-Fi Reaches Milestone for Global Unaccompanied Housing

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Commander, Navy Installations Command Headquarters Public Affairs |

The Navy's initiative to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all Navy-owned and -operated unaccompanied housing is 90% complete, with the service now available in 865 of 962 buildings since the rollout began in November 2025. 

The program, a partnership between Commander, Navy Installations Command and the Navy Exchange Service Command, continued its worldwide expansion with service going live across bases throughout the continental United States, Europe, Asia and the Pacific region. 

Driven by a dedicated focus on improving the quality of service, well-being and operational readiness of sailors, the effort ensures warfighters remain connected to family, support networks and educational resources while stationed abroad and in the United States.

"Reliable connectivity is an important part of sustaining the force and ensuring sailors have the support they need to remain ready and resilient," said Navy Vice Adm. Scott Gray, deputy chief of naval operations for sustainment. "This milestone demonstrates the Navy's continued investment in the infrastructure and services that enable our people to focus on the mission, wherever they serve." 

Navy Vice Adm. Brad Collins, Navy Installations Command commander, said the command will sustain the initiative's momentum through completion and continue pursuing improvements across the shore enterprise. 

"Across 71 installations, our responsibility is clear: deliver the safe, resilient and reliable shore infrastructure and services sailors need to succeed," he said. "Completing this Wi-Fi initiative remains a priority, and we will build on this progress to raise the standard of service, strengthen quality of life, and ensure our shore enterprise keeps pace with the needs of a ready naval force." 

The remaining 10% of unaccompanied housing facilities located in isolated regions, such as Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean, are scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2027. 

The program continues to offer filtered free Wi-Fi and subsidized high-speed upgrades without long-term contracts or termination fees in full compliance with the Military Honor and Decency Act of 1996. 

Program managers report network operations continue to run smoothly, and sailors experiencing connection issues are encouraged to contact the service provider help desk for immediate support. For more information on the program and availability, sailors can visit www.navymwrsinglesailor.com.

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

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

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

Job: Drill Sergeant / Combat Engineer

Stationed: Round Rock Armed Forces Reserve Center, Texas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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