The Decisive Edge: How the Defense Mapping Agency Shaped the Gulf War

Feb. 25, 2026 |National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency |

Thirty-five years ago, on Feb. 24, 1991, coalition troops began the Operation Desert Storm ground offensive, seeking to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.

Before the day ended, the Iraqi army was devastated — 10,000 troops were held as prisoners and a U.S. air base was set up deep within Iraq's borders. Within 100 hours, Iraq agreed to a ceasefire and pledged to honor the peace terms.

Instrumental to this offensive — and efforts across the entirety of the Gulf War — was the Defense Mapping Agency, whose work marked a turning point for geospatial support.

Before the Gulf War, maps of Kuwait, eastern Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq were largely based on data from the British colonial period. These existing products were rapidly becoming obsolete due to explosive growth in Kuwait and the surrounding areas, leaving limited or nonexistent coverage for military operations. This deficiency led to the rapid retargeting of space-based imagery platforms that mapping agency analysts used to map the region at unprecedented speed, scope and scale.

One core product was 1:50,000-scale topographic line maps, which were key to ground operations. In response to the incredible demand for these products, the mapping agency compressed its map production time from six months to six weeks.

The Defense Mapping Agency was also instrumental in providing data that fueled the targeting of precision-guided missiles. The Gulf War was one of the earliest major conflicts to see widespread use of these weapons. In past conflicts like the Vietnam War, commanders shouldered a difficult burden — the primary tools for decisive action, namely large-scale strikes and area bombing, were blunt instruments often resulting in widespread collateral damage.

Precision-strike capabilities, fueled by the mapping agency, alleviated much of this burden, significantly reducing collateral damage and allowing commanders to quickly and decisively strike Iraqi forces. The agency's impact extended beyond precision targeting, with hydrographic and bathymetric products that proved critical to military and logistical operations.

The Navy was uncertain of its ability to conduct extended carrier battle group operations in the confined waters of the Persian Gulf and Red Sea before the war. Aided by Defense Mapping Agency marine charts, the Navy confidently deployed much closer to the Kuwait theater, boosting carrier effectiveness and increasing the range of the force's cruise missiles. The agency's products also supported amphibious assaults, counter-mine activities and special operations.

When Saddam Hussein sabotaged an oil tanker facility, coastal hydrographic charts were used to plot and predict the advance of the oil slick, which posed an immediate environmental impact and operational threat. Furthermore, 90% of all equipment and supplies entering the Gulf theater were delivered by sea, reliant not only on local charts but also on global Defense Mapping Agency maritime products.

The agency's Operation Desert Storm logistics team, comprising civilian and military members, prepared and shipped over 44 million map sheets in support of the war. Because of the team's attention to detail, dedication and teamwork, the Defense Mapping Agency was the only element that never lost a shipment during the conflict. For its work, the team was inducted into the Geospatial-Intelligence Hall of Fame in 2018.

The Gulf War demonstrated a fundamental shift in how warfare was conducted. The growing demand for satellite imagery, along with the increased sophistication of modern weapon systems, created a direct dependency on precise geographic intelligence — a need the mapping agency rose to meet, ultimately producing more than 1,900 unique maps and charts and printing more than 54 million paper maps.

The Defense Mapping Agency's timely and detailed support for air, land and sea operations proved critical, not only for the contingency planning of Operation Desert Shield but also for the successful execution of real-time combat in Operation Desert Storm, cementing its vital role in a new era of warfare and creating a legacy that is carried on today by its successor, the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.

Justified Accord 2026 Begins in Kenya, Tanzania

Feb. 24, 2026 | By Army Maj. Edward McBride, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa |

Exercise Justified Accord 2026 the U.S. Africa Command's largest annual, multinational exercise in East Africa, officially began yesterday across Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania.

Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, JA26 integrates approximately 1,500 personnel from Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, the United States and several other nations to build readiness, deepen partnerships and strengthen regional security. 

The exercise, that continues through March 13, is designed to strengthen cooperation and advance regional security by enabling partner-led security operations against shared counterterrorism threats. It serves as a premier innovation hub in East Africa to validate new technologies in austere environments.  

"The true strength of Justified Accord lies in our partners taking the lead," said Army Lt. Col. Jason Fernandez, the Justified Accord branch chief assigned to SETAF-AF. "This exercise embodies the principle of burden sharing, creating a powerful, partner-led security network capable of shouldering the responsibility for a stable and prosperous East Africa."

JA26 features a training approach tailored to shared regional security needs.

In Kenya, activities focus on enhancing joint command and control, including a multinational live-fire exercise, a command post exercise integrating special operations and conventional forces, air-to-ground integration, and defensive cyber operations centered in Nairobi and Isiolo. 

In Tanzania, the focus is on readiness, global force projection and joint readiness for crisis response. The exercise features a bilateral field training exercise on jungle warfare and counter-improvised explosive devices, alongside a medical readiness exercise to support local communities and increase U.S. medical readiness.

JA26 heavily leverages the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program to deepen long-term military relationships. 

The Massachusetts National Guard continues its decade-long partnership with Kenya, leading complex kinetic training, while the Nebraska National Guard builds on its newly developed partnership with Tanzania, focusing on expeditionary medical and ground force readiness.

The training concludes with distinguished visitor days, showcasing the tangible return on investment of this multinational partnership and shared security cooperation.

During the JA26 distinguished visitor days, in coordination with the U.S. military and the U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Embassy Nairobi), selected U.S. and African vendors will set up technology expositions. The industry day will directly connect commercial technological solutions with military and interagency end-users, fostering collaboration and aligning innovation with operational requirements focused on counterterrorism, unmanned aerial systems, and counter-UAS capabilities. 

"A truly resilient joint force is powered by a thriving defense ecosystem," Fernandez said. "What you will see is that ecosystem in action, a strategic partnership between our warfighters and commercial innovators from both the U.S. and our partners." 

Joint Interagency Task Force Announces Counter-UAS Marketplace

Feb. 24, 2026 | By Joint Interagency Task Force 401 |

Joint Interagency Task Force 401 announced today that its revolutionary counter-unmanned aircraft systems marketplace has reached initial operational capability.

The online platform, hosted on the common hardware systems electronic catalog, will revolutionize how the War Department and its interagency partners acquire critical counter-UAS technology. 

The marketplace streamlines the process for users to identify and procure the right equipment to meet their specific needs, featuring a growing catalog of validated counter-UAS systems and components, with plans to include performance data from the task force's authoritative test and evaluation repository. It allows customers to compare systems based on real-world performance against a variety of threats and in different environments. 

"The JIATF 401 [counter]-UAS marketplace is a critical step forward in our whole-of-government approach to countering the threat of small drones," said Army Brig. Gen. Matthew Ross, JIATF 401 director. "Our goal is to integrate sensors, effectors and mission command systems into a responsive, interoperable network that protects service members and American citizens alike." 

The marketplace is built on an established indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, enabling customers to place orders immediately and significantly reducing the lengthy contracting process typically associated with defense procurement. The common hardware systems website provides an intuitive interface for users to browse available equipment, review technical specifications and compare pre-negotiated contract options. 

"Building and maintaining the [counter]-UAS marketplace has been a collaborative effort focused on delivering a user-friendly and effective tool for the warfighter," said Army Maj. Matt Mellor, the lead acquisitions specialist assigned to JIATF 401. "We've worked to create a platform that not only simplifies the procurement process but also provides the crucial data and expert support necessary for our customers to make informed decisions. This is about getting the best technology into the hands of those who need it as quickly as possible." 

The marketplace is actively expanding its inventory to include all validated counter-UAS equipment not already designated as a program of record. The common hardware systems electronic catalog already lists over 1,600 items, demonstrating its capacity to support a comprehensive, growing selection of counter-UAS solutions. 

Access to the marketplace is available to users throughout the War Department and interagency partners via a common access card or other government-issued smart card. 

Air Force Secretary Outlines Priorities

Feb. 24, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The Department of the Air Force's priorities are readiness, modernization, defending the homeland — including the entire hemisphere, border security, missile defense, nuclear deterrence and people, said Air Force Secretary Troy Meink, who spoke yesterday during the Air and Space Forces Association's 2026 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.

From a conventional deterrence perspective, the focus is on China, which continues to expand and modernize its military at an extremely fast pace, making deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region the biggest challenge by far, he said.

"Given that threat environment, the Air Force and the Space Force must be ready at any time for any threat across the entire spectrum of conflict," Meink said.

One of the challenges is scaling up production of weapon systems and munitions. Accomplishing that requires the revival of the defense industrial base, which has experienced decades of neglect, he said.

The good news is that beginning last year, production of advanced aircraft and munitions has ramped up. Not as fast as needed, but faster than in the past, the secretary said, adding the testing program for the LGM-35A Sentinel is proceeding well.

The Air Force will replace the aging LGM-30 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile with the Sentinel ICBM. This represents the modernization of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad.

In the space domain, an increase in rocket launches has put more capability into orbit than ever before, thanks to help from commercial partnerships and other military services, as well as the National Reconnaissance Office.

Acquisition transformation includes delivering mission-effective capabilities faster.

"To do that, we must innovate faster than our adversaries," the secretary said.

To accomplish this, the workforce must be empowered to unleash their talent, take the initiative and know that supervisors have their backs, Meink said, adding that the Department of the Air Force has a phenomenal team.

Military Working Dogs Get New Home at Joint Base Charleston

Feb. 23, 2026 | By Air Force Airman 1st Class Amori Greer, Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs Office |

Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 19, officially unveiling a state-of-the-art military working dog kennel facility and marking a significant investment in enhancing the well-being and mission readiness of the dogs and their handlers.

The project began in November 2023 and was completed in December 2025, with a total investment of $3.2 million in upgrades.

The renovated facility has built-in housing to increase capacity by two dogs, sound-dampening panels to reduce kennel anxiety, angled chain-link fencing to prevent visual agitation, epoxy flooring to minimize moisture and skin-related issues and an expanded obedience yard to support enhanced training and enrichment. The new arrangement of the kennels aims to reduce agitation and anxiety, reducing the risk of behavioral issues and injury.

"Health is paramount with these dogs. They have enough room for enrichment to keep them happy and healthy," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kyle Titus, military working dog kennel master assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron. "So far, we've had zero injuries in the new facility, which has been great!"

Since the remodeling, handlers have observed how the new layout fosters a healthier, safer and more efficient environment for the dogs' health, training and recovery.

"It was like a night and day difference that you could see in them and their behavior," Titus said. "You can walk through the building now, and the dogs will remain sleeping. We can definitely tell the difference in the dogs' health and morale with this new facility."

The military working dogs conduct extensive training to secure the installation's strategic assets through actively detecting explosives, deterring potential threats and defending personnel.

"The Green Kennel Initiative started about 10 years ago, and the new facility reflects our overall goal to make a massive impact on the military working dogs' health and wellness," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Reginald Conyers, military working dog trainer assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron.

Looking ahead, the squadron hopes the new facility will extend the working life of the dogs while significantly reducing injuries and stress-related issues.

"We need to be doing our part as far as giving dogs ample time to get [their] energy out," Titus said. "Providing longevity to their careers with better conditions and more space to move around is a big goal for us."

The new facility supports the squadron and its military working dogs' readiness and capability to defend the mission every day, symbolizing the installation's continued commitment to resilient infrastructure and operational excellence.

"The ceremony showcases that we're going forward in the right direction in improving the life conservation of our military working dogs and making a massive impact for mission accomplishment," Conyers said.

CIO Says 'Bold' Changes Coming to War Department IT Efforts, 2025 Award Recipients to Play Role

Feb. 23, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

The War Department's chief information officer, Kirsten Davies, today recognized more than a dozen individuals and teams for delivering information technology capabilities and management practices that advanced warfighter lethality, readiness and network efficiency during the 2025 War Department CIO annual awards ceremony at the Pentagon. 

This year marked the 25th iteration of the awards. 

"It's important today and every day that we recognize all of the efforts that are happening across our technology and cybersecurity ecosystem at the department," she said. "This is a time of significant change for the department, and it's only going to be successful if we have innovative individuals and teams like you to drive transformation."

Two months into the job as the DOW CIO, Davies said President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have given her a mandate to take bold action with the department's IT and cyber portfolio. The ongoing work of this year's award winners will be an important part of how that bold action is implemented across the department.

"[We have] the potential to truly transform the way the department operates and provides capability straight to our warfighters," she said. "Our challenge is to deliver capabilities to the warfighter that have operational impact but are also secure and delivered at speed and scale; not a small task. The secretary has accepted acquisition risk today to decisively reduce operational risk tomorrow. And we're going to follow [in the] footsteps there."

Davies noted that this year's awards program covered four broad areas: cybersecurity; the information enterprise — including cloud modernization, network, transport and software; command, control and communications; and a broader area that includes, among other things, financial and management audits, a cyber budget and electronic records management.

As part of the ceremony, both teams and individuals were either named recipients of awards or given honorable mentions. Those honored include:

Individual Gold Winners

• Air Force 1st Lt. Diego Castanon 
• Marine Corps Sgt. William Smail, U.S. Special Operations Command 
• Air Force Maj. Jean-Luc Duckworth, Defense Contract Management Agency 

Individual Silver Winners

• Air Force Master Sgt. Kenneth Bricker 
• Aaron Ford, Army 

Individual Bronze Winners

• Air Force Capt. James Lockatell 
• Richard Edwards, Defense Health Agency 
• Navy Cmdr. Matthew Manship, Joint Chiefs of Staff 
• Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Joshua Small, U.S. Special Operations Command 

Team Gold Winners

• Europe Infrastructure Services Team, Defense Information Systems Agency 
• Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record Program Management Office Team, Defense Health Agency 
• National Nuclear Security Administration Assured Communications Team, Energy Department 
• Black Ansible Team, Office of the Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering/Navy 
• Enterprise Business Systems Convergence Capability Requirements Team, Army 

Team Silver Winners

• BLANKTELEGRAM Team, National Security Agency 
• DCI Information Command, Control Communications and Computers Networks Team, Marine Corps 
• Information Command Active Defense Campaign Team, Marine Corps 
• J6 Spectrum Branch Team, Joint Chiefs of Staff 
• Digital Advantage Division SQAD Team, Space Force/Air Force 
• Zero Trust Tactical Team, Navy 

Team Bronze Winners

• 607th Air Communications Squadron Team, Air Force 
• Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System Cybersecurity Inspection Program Team, Defense Intelligence Agency 
• Customs and Border Protection, Office of Information and Technology, Team Awareness Kit Team, Department of Homeland Security 
• 0648 Spectrum Manager Military Occupation Specialty Mod Team, Marine Corps 
• MyAuth Team, Defense Manpower Data Center 

After recognizing the winners, Davies thanked both the winners and those who recognized their contributions.

"Let me thank the leaders who nominated you, as well as each of you here, as individuals and as team members," Davies said. "I speak on behalf of the secretary when I say, thank you for all the hard work you are doing every day. You're seen, you're appreciated and your work matters to our warfighters."

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Staff Sgt. Clifford Sims

Feb. 23, 2026 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

Many Medal of Honor recipients come from humble beginnings, but perhaps none more so than Army Staff Sgt. Clifford Chester Sims, who spent much of his early life with nowhere to call home. Sims grew into a humble and thoughtful man, so when an explosive device threatened his fellow soldiers in Vietnam, he didn't hesitate to give his life to save theirs.

Sims was born June 18, 1942, in Port St. Joe, Florida, as Clifford Pittman. He was orphaned at an early age and sent to live with his stepfather's family, according to an account from his wife, Mary, in a 2015 The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper article out of Clarksville, Tennessee.

However, that family already had many children, so Sims decided he wouldn't stay. To get by, he either spent the night with acquaintances or in an old, abandoned bus shelter in Panama City, Florida, The Leaf-Chronicle article reads.

At age 13, however, the young man was adopted by James and Irene Sims and took their family name. Through all that adversity, he continued his education and made it to high school, where he became inseparable from his girlfriend, Mary. They married on Christmas Day 1961, just a few months after he enlisted in the Army.

Sims initially served with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1965, the unit was sent to the Dominican Republic to protect American interests there during the country's civil war. 

Once Sims returned to the U.S., and as the Vietnam War was escalating, he was transferred to the 101st Airborne Division, where he was assigned to Company D of the 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment — known as the Delta Raiders.

Shortly before Sims was deployed to Vietnam in late 1967, he and his wife adopted a young daughter, named Gina, who was born to his wife's sister.

Sims was not in Vietnam long before the Tet Offensive began, when North Vietnamese troops and their Viet Cong sympathizers flooded into South Vietnam in an onslaught that caught American and South Vietnamese troops off guard.

While U.S. and South Vietnamese troops were able to retake most of the territory the enemy had taken rather quickly, the fight over Hue City — known as the Battle of Hue — led to weeks of urban combat. That is where Sims gave his last full measure of devotion.

On Feb. 21, 1968, Sims' squad was assaulting a heavily fortified enemy position in a densely wooded area when they came under heavy enemy fire. Sims furiously led his squad in an attack against their aggressors, helping free a platoon that had been pinned down and nearly overrun.

Sims was then ordered to move his squad to provide cover fire for the company command group while linking up with another platoon that was under heavy enemy pressure.

After they had moved about 30 meters, Sims noticed that a brick building stocked with ammunition was on fire. An explosion was imminent, so Sims immediately moved his squad away from it, but not before the stockpile blew and injured two of his squad's soldiers. Still, Sims' prompt actions kept more people from getting hurt.

The squad continued through the dense woods while under fire. As they neared a bunker, they heard a noise no one ever wanted to hear — the sound of a hidden booby trap being triggered.

Without hesitation, Sims quickly yelled a warning and threw himself on top of the device as it exploded. He sacrificed his life so his fellow soldiers could live.

"Sims saved the lives of at least three of his squad and two of the company headquarters by absorbing the shock of the blast himself," Sims' commander, Army 1st Lt. Cleo Hogan, later wrote in an eyewitness statement. "Sims made the greatest sacrifice a soldier can make … and no mark of tribute can be too great."

For his valor, Sims' wife and daughter received the Medal of Honor from Vice President Spiro Agnew during a White House ceremony on Dec. 2, 1969.

Three other men also received Medals of Honor for their actions during the Battle of Hue: Army Staff Sgt. Joe Ronnie Hooper, Marine Corps Sgt. Alfredo Gonzalez and Army Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Ferguson.

Sims is buried in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.

His name has not been forgotten. A state veterans nursing home in Springfield, Florida, and the garrison headquarters building at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, are both named in his honor. And since 2019, the Florida county where Sims grew up has celebrated every June 18, his birthday, as Clifford Sims Day. 

Department of War Invests $11.8M for the Domestic Processing of Critical Materials

Feb. 20, 2026 |

The Department of War (DoW) announced today a January 30, 2026, investment of $11.8 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to Umicore Optical Materials USA Inc (UOM). UOM will establish new capability in Quapaw, Oklahoma, for processing materials needed for critical optical applications. This investment was delayed due to the government shutdown. This investment uses funds from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. It also supports the Administration's goal to increase the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products as articulated in the March 20, 2025, Executive Order 14241 - Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.

"UOM is an important part of the optics supply chain," added Mr. Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience, which oversees the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate. "We look forward to partnering with them to expand these capabilities."

Advanced optics, night vision systems, surveillance systems, and other electro-optical and infrared technologies are essential components in national security systems. UOM will onshore critical material capability supporting the production of these systems.

This is one of two investments made by the DPA Purchases Office totaling $30.8 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2026. The MCEIP Directorate oversees the DPA Purchases Office.

86th Maintenance Squadron Metal Technicians Melt Limits, Shape Readiness

Feb. 19, 2026 | By Air Force Airman Paden Henry, 86th Airlift Wing |

Inside a shop tucked away between the hangars and flight line, sparks glow bright against steel while steady hands maneuver equipment with precision, as airmen assigned to the 86th Maintenance Squadron Metals Technology Shop quietly forge the foundation of operational capabilities.

Metal technicians are responsible for fabricating, welding and machining components that help keep aeronautical ground equipment and aircraft functional. When a part is unavailable or damaged, metal techs step in to provide solutions that keep maintenance timelines moving and aircraft in the air. 
 
"If we're not here, a lot of other jobs slow down," said Air Force Senior Airman Noah Dunn, a metals technician journeyman. "Crew chiefs and other shops rely on us. We're usually the last stop before something has to go to the depot." 
 
The work is technical, deliberate and often misunderstood. Welding on aircraft is not simply striking an arc and fusing metal. It requires awareness and adherence to technical orders, approved materials and knowing the exact procedures.

"People think it's just metal, so you can just weld it," said Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Green, a metals technician journeyman. "You have to know the material, the authorized filler rod, what heat settings to use and what processes are approved. Even the weld bead has to meet specific standards." 
 
Preparation alone can take longer than the weld itself. Areas must be cleaned and inspected, and fire safety measures must be in place. In some cases, engineering approval is required before work even begins. 
 
"Welding is mostly prep work," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Forney, the aircraft metals technology noncommissioned officer in charge. "If you rush that part, you'll see it in the final product."  
 
Forney emphasized that machining follows the same disciplined approach.

"It's not just putting a block in a [computer numerical control] machine and pressing go," he said. "You have to review the program, run simulations, verify your tooling and make sure your feeds and speeds are correct. If something is off, you can break a tool or scrap materials." 
 
The satisfaction is evident in the finished products that leave the shop. Each completed weld and machined component represents more than craftsmanship. It showcases how one can discover strengths within themselves that they did not see before. 
 
"This job taught me that I can handle more complex procedures than I thought," Green said. "If you stay focused and don't overwhelm yourself, you can get through it." 
 
Though the metals technology shop may operate away from the spotlight, its contribution is unmistakable. Every aircraft that launches from Ramstein's runway and lands safely carries with it the work of airmen who shaped, repaired and fabricated parts that made the mission possible. 

Battle of Yorktown Leads to Treaty With Great Britain

Feb. 20, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

This year marks the nation's 250th birthday, celebrating the Declaration of Independence.

To attain independence, the Americans would have to win the Revolutionary War against Great Britain, which previously governed the 13 colonies. The war lasted from April 19, 1775, to Sept. 3, 1783. 

The final decisive battle of the war took place in the vicinity of Yorktown, Virginia, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 19, 1781. 

The victory persuaded King George III and the government of Great Britain to begin negotiations to end the war, resulting in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which formally acknowledged the independence of the United States. 

The Siege of Yorktown, as it is sometimes called, pitted the British army, led by Gen. Charles Cornwallis, and the British navy, led by Adm. Thomas Graves, against the Continental Army, led by Gen. George Washington, and the French navy, led by Adm. Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse and the French army, led by Lt. Gen. Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau.

The total land and naval forces of Great Britain were about 8,000 personnel, and the combined American and French land and naval forces numbered about the same. 

Washington's Continental Army, aided by French land and naval forces, surrounded the British army, compelling the surrender of Cornwallis and his entire force. 

Interesting facts:

• Marquis de Lafayette, a French major general, was so passionate about the American cause that he was given senior positions in the Continental Army and commanded Americans at Yorktown. The most famous quote when American troops arrived in France during World War I in 1917 was: "Lafayette, we are here!" Lafayette Square in Washington is named for him, and there's also a statue of him there. 
• In a strange twist of fate, after Yorktown, de Grasse returned with his fleet to the Caribbean, where a British fleet under Adm. George Rodney defeated and captured de Grasse at the Battle of the Saintes. De Grasse was widely criticized for his defeat, ending his naval service. Cornwallis later had a successful career as a civil and military governor in Ireland and then in India. 
• Yorktown was the site of a second battle during the Civil War, also called the Siege of Yorktown, fought from April 5 to May 4, 1862, with neither Federal nor Confederate forces achieving a victory.
  
  
  
• Today, the site of the Yorktown battlefield is part of the Colonial National Historical Park, administered by the National Park Service. Nearby is the state-operated American Revolution Museum. Also in Yorktown is the Coast Guard Training Center.
• The Navy's first USS Yorktown was a sloop-of-war, launched in 1839 and wrecked on an uncharted reef off Maio, Cape Verde in 1850. Although the ship was lost, no lives were. The second was a gunboat, launched in 1888 and decommissioned in 1919. The third was an aircraft carrier, launched in 1936 and sunk as a result of extensive damage sustained at the 1942 battle of Midway. The fourth was also an aircraft carrier, launched in 1943 and decommissioned in 1970. The fifth was a cruiser, launched in 1983 and decommissioned in 2004. 
• The Battle of Yorktown led to the 1783 Treaty of Paris. The French capital was also the site of the Jan. 27, 1973, Vietnam Peace Agreement, ending the fighting.

EOD Technicians Prove Arctic Warfare Readiness in Norway

Feb. 20, 2026 | By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Adkins, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two  |

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8, assigned to Commander, Task Force 68, completed Exercise Arctic Specialist 26 alongside allied forces from Norway and Sweden, Feb. 3 to 12.

Arctic Specialist is an annual Norwegian-hosted multinational exercise focused on expeditionary mine countermeasure operations and land-based explosive ordnance disposal tactics. The strategic location of the exercise provides valuable training in an extreme cold-weather environment, where conditions are dynamic, and the operating environment continues to evolve.  

"The sailors of EODMU-8 have made me immensely proud, demonstrating unparalleled skill and resolve by executing complex operations across the EOD spectrum in the harshest conditions with our allies," said Navy Cmdr. Matthew Guido, the unit's commanding officer. "Their achievement is a testament to the hard work and professionalism they conduct daily in preparation to maintain security and access in the Arctic corridor. Our partnership with the Norwegian Navy EOD is vital to our shared success in the Arctic, and we are grateful for their collaboration and friendship."  

During the 10-day exercise, U.S. Navy EOD technicians conducted a wide range of operations, including underwater demolitions, exploitation of mines, conventional munitions disposal, rapid airfield damage repair, close-quarters combat, rappel operations and trench clearance. These training events collectively contributed to increased lethality and technical expertise in the Arctic domain and emphasized integration among allied forces in preparation for future conflicts.

"The Norwegians are excellent hosts and dependable teammates," said Navy Lt. Andrew Lewis, EODMU-8 officer in charge. "We are lucky to have an exercise that brings together EOD operators that are experts at working in the Arctic domain. Each lesson they teach us pays dividends for the EOD force as we work towards bolstering our extreme cold-weather capabilities."  

The exercise provided valuable real-world training opportunities for EOD technicians to refine their professional skills while operating in extreme cold-weather conditions. Arctic Specialist evaluates planning, communications and operational oversight while simultaneously providing warfighters and enablers with valuable operational experience as they test the people, equipment and logistics needed to execute missions in remote and austere locations.  

"In the Arctic, there is no margin for complacency. Our Norwegian partners and Navy EOD operators demonstrate that in freezing environments, the smallest detail can become the biggest threat," said Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Juan Hernandez, an ordnance disposal technician assigned to EODMU-8. "We look forward to continued U.S participation in Exercise Arctic Specialist for years to come, strengthening our partnerships and advancing our cold-weather capabilities alongside our allies."

The Norwegian-hosted exercise also served as a venue for exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures through the integration of foreign EOD professionals embedded within U.S. Navy EOD platoons.  

"We are very pleased that this exercise has participants from several NATO nations and different branches of defense," said Navy Cmdr. Senior Grade Christian Couillault, executive director and chief of the Norwegian Naval EOD Commando. "This is one of the few exercises where the main training audience is the Navy EOD diver himself and his team. The cooperation we have developed and maintained over the many years with EODMU-8 is strong."  

Arctic presence remains a high-priority mission for forces across the War Department and is central to homeland defense as its strategic importance grows.

The effects of emerging technologies and increased economic competition continue to shape an evolving security environment, requiring an increased level of regional stability and cooperation. These conditions demand naval forces capable of operating effectively in high-latitude environments.  

"We are grateful that the U.S. Navy sends its best sailors to create realistic training missions," Couillault said. "The technology brought by the U.S. Navy EOD team to test in Norway enriches us all in the development track. The fact that we are able to develop procedures together within several military skills in demanding arctic conditions makes us better equipped for joint operations in the north." 

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Travels to Nashville, TN and Fort Campbell, KY

Feb. 19, 2026  

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will travel to Nashville, Tennessee today to deliver remarks as the headline speaker at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Freedom 250 Celebration. 

On Friday, Secretary Hegseth will travel to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to participate in physical training with 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 3-187th Infantry Regiment and deliver remarks to the Rakkasans of the 101st Airborne Division. While at Fort Campbell, Mrs. Jen Hegseth will visit a local elementary school to observe educational programs offered to military families stationed at Fort Campbell. Mrs. Hegseth will also review facility renovations and updates made to barracks in the area.

Army Doctrine Writers Embrace AI to Speed Knowledge to Force

Feb. 19, 2026 | By Randi Stenson, Mission Command Center of Excellence  |

The process of writing Army doctrine, traditionally measured in years, is getting a 21st-century upgrade. Thanks to digital tools, some enabled by artificial intelligence, authors at the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate are examining processes and gaining efficiencies without sacrificing their high standards for quality and precision.

 
"We have had people ask us about using AI and large language models to speed up the doctrine development process for years," said Richard Creed Jr., CADD director. "So, when some of these tools became available, the first thing we did was figure out their capabilities. That meant that we needed to identify people on our team with some AI experience from using civilian applications who could help us figure out what was possible."  
 
Two officers, Army Lt. Col. Scott McMahan, a doctrine writer assigned to the Operational Level Doctrine Division, and Army Maj. Matthew Martinez, CADD's information management officer, took guidance from leaders and developed a four-pronged strategy to equip every doctrine writer with the skills and tools to use AI effectively. The strategy began with foundational training for all CADD members, allowing them to apply approved AI tools to their work immediately.
 
To foster expertise, the plan also calls for training a "master gunner," someone highly qualified in using AI tools, within each doctrine division. These experts can then help their teams tackle more difficult challenges and find advanced applications for the technology. Furthering the integration, AI best practices are being formally incorporated into the Doctrine Developer's Course, ensuring future writers are introduced to these techniques from the start.  
 
Finally, CADD leaders are working with the Combined Arms Command and industry partners to build a purpose-made AI tool. This new software will be designed for all Army doctrine writers, but it will be especially helpful to authors at the Centers of Excellence, where personnel and time are often scarce.
 
According to McMahan, the answer is not in "letting AI write the books" that guide the force. Instead, it is about providing human experts with powerful new assistants.  

"You treat it like a resourceful and motivated young officer who might not know all the information, but they can certainly assist you in cutting some corners and being a little more efficient," he said. "The bottom line is that eventually it should, even if you're just shaving at the margins, it's going to speed up the time when doctrine will reach soldiers in the field."
 
Creed said his guidance was always to treat technology as a tool, not a panacea.

"Because we have such good people, I expected that we would stay abreast of developments and be ready when the tools were ready," he said. "They came up with an approach that would make one person in each doctrine division an AI subject matter expert while training everyone else in the basic use of AI for tasks related to their job. It was no different than ensuring all soldiers are combat lifesavers while assigning an actual medic to each platoon."  
 
So far, changes have been small, but they add up when looking at multiple individual and project tasks. One example is an internally developed tool that enables writers to quickly search across hundreds of texts for historical vignettes that illustrate a complex doctrinal point. This task could once have taken days of research, especially for a new doctrine author.
 
"The large language model tools under development now have access to the databases we needed access to in the past. Access to the data is the foundational measure of whether the tools are useful to us. We tip our hats to those who figured out how to do that," Creed said.  
 
Another use of AI is something McMahan calls "breaking the blank page." The tool can help writers get through creative blocks and generate ideas.  

"[When] we were looking for some more meat for an idea, we were able to feed this tool some initial thoughts, and of the three paragraphs it spit out, one sentence was used, but that was a really powerful and useful sentence," he said.  
 
Blending technology and in-house experience is reducing administrative burdens for doctrine authors and staff in several ways. For instance, digital tools that assist with grammar and readability free authors to focus on the complex aspects of their work, which in turn saves valuable time for CADD's high-demand editors. This efficiency extends beyond writing, as leaders have improved the publications tracking process with automated forms and the use of power business intelligence tools, and individuals are creating their own self-study tools to prepare for internal certification.  
 
McMahan recognizes that the technology is not perfect, but notes that it is improving over time. He said that AI models can "hallucinate" by inventing facts or confusing source materials when asked a question. These are critical flaws in a field where accuracy is paramount. In one case, an AI-generated question for a doctrine test was based on an outdated manual, an error that was only caught because the user creating the test was an expert on the topic.  
 
Situations like this drive home the importance of subject matter expertise.  

"We made it perfectly clear that AI tools were not intended to be a crutch for not doing the work we expect from our people," Creed said. "Humans will review every line of what a [large language model] produces for accuracy. To make sure that happens, one must make sure your people know their business."  

Commissary Home Delivery Program Expands Across the U.S.

Feb. 18, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

Home grocery delivery from the commissary has arrived at dozens of military bases across the U.S.

As part of the Defense Commissary Agency's CLICK2GO® on the GO! program, service members and their families can shop and pay for groceries at the commissary online using a credit card, and then have those groceries delivered to their home.

Delivery fees are distance-based and competitively priced. The service is typically available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., though hours may vary by location.

"CLICK2GO® is bringing convenience to our military community, increasing their access to commissary savings and making affordable, nutritious foods even more accessible. Service members and their families can order online, secure household staples, fresh produce and proteins, and have them in hand hours later," said Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata.

Home delivery is not a new concept for the commissary. In May 2022, DeCA piloted home delivery at eight locations, including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Naval Base San Diego, all in California; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Belvoir and Naval Station Norfolk, both in Virginia; and Fort Lewis, Washington.

Now, the pilot has expanded to an additional 62 stateside stores, for a total of 70 locations. DeCA is exploring opportunities to expand the service to its other 108 continental U.S. stores.

The delivery program is meant to both enhance the competitive advantage of military commissaries and strengthen readiness in the force by taking a burden off families and service members, so they can better focus on the military mission.

"CLICK2GO® is designed to make their lives easier, providing our military families with the ability to order online from the local commissary the same way they would from a national chain," Tata said. "This delivery service supports convenience, budget management and healthy meal planning. It also supports force readiness, enabling service members to streamline a routine task at home, so they can concentrate on mission objectives." 

Marines Bring Amphibious Vehicles Back to Life With One Simple, Critical Component

Feb. 17, 2026 | By Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Brambila-Pelayo |

When a shortage of critical single-use consumable suspension washers resulted in multiple amphibious combat vehicles being taken out of service, Marines assigned to the Fabrication Platoon, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, stepped in, turning a potentially yearlong delay into a one-hour fix.

The initial problem was identified at the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, where ACVs were being taken out of service due to the lack of a specific suspension locking washer. The part, a mandatory replacement item for the vehicle's suspension system, was unavailable through the standard supply system due to a backlog, hindering unit readiness. 

The solution came when Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Juedes, a ground ordnance vehicle maintenance officer with the assault battalion, approached the II Marine Expeditionary Force Innovation Campus with the problem.  

Each suspension lock washer has square teeth that bend when torqued into place and when suspension components are taken apart or put back together. Due to this, the washers cannot be reused and become damaged once removed from an ACV's suspension system.  

Juedes presented a damaged washer to Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Matthew Pine, the campus's officer in charge, who tasked his 2nd Maintenance Battalion team with finding a solution. They immediately went to work. By using aluminum sheets and a water jet, they reverse engineered the part and produced a working prototype, showcasing the immense value of advanced manufacturing. 

"It took less than 30 minutes to create it, and in less than an hour, we had a working prototype," Pine said. "The part itself took less than a minute and a half to cut."

With a potential solution in hand, the next step was validation. Contractors were used to strengthen the reverse engineering process, help lower risk, ensure quality control and create a more thorough part-review for the fabrication process.  

After a successful test, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matthew Ludlow, the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion commander, decided to formally assume the risk of using the nonstandard part to get his vehicles back in the fight. By signing an official assumption-of-risk letter, he authorized the use of the fabricated washers to restore his unit's operational capability. 

Once approved, 10 ACVs were brought back into service in a single morning, showcasing how this capability can be used not only on base, but also while forward deployed. 

The impact was immediately noticed. As of December 2025, the 2nd Maintenance Battalion has produced more than 80 washers, bringing 15 nonoperational ACVs back into service. For a part that costs less than $2 to make, the effort bypassed a supply shortage that could have sidelined the fleet indefinitely, saving the Marine Corps countless days of lost training and readiness. 

This success, however, highlights a different issue: the lack of access to technical data for parts. According to Pine, without the manufacturer's original blueprints, his Marines must reverse engineer components, a process that involves determining exact dimensions, material composition and strength requirements. This process can become especially problematic for load-bearing components.

The problem, Pine explained, is that the battalion doesn't have the testing parameters for the parts.  

To mitigate this, the 2nd Maintenance Battalion now creates its own technical data packages from its reverse-engineered parts, a process validated by civilian engineers and machinists to ensure quality. 

By demonstrating their capability to produce reliable parts under controlled processes, the maintenance battalion proves that even with contested supply lines, Marine ingenuity can provide a mission-focused solution. Their work builds a robust case for the organic capabilities that Marine innovation can bring to units, both on base and overseas.

The Hidden Hunger in Our Ranks: Why Military Families Are Lining Up at Food Pantries

Food insecurity inside the United States military is not a fringe issue. It is a documented, measurable, and growing reality.

Approximately 25.8% of active-duty service members experience some level of food insecurity, with junior and mid-grade enlisted families disproportionately affected. Today, an estimated 22,000 active-duty families, 213,000 National Guard and Reserve members, and 1.2 million veterans rely on federal food assistance. On many installations, food pantries now operate specifically to support junior enlisted families.

That fact alone should stop us.

Behind these statistics are families—not abstractions. Spouses stretch each paycheck to cover rent, gas, childcare, and groceries. Children quietly accept smaller portions. Service members carry the additional burden of financial strain while remaining mission-ready. They stand watch, deploy, train, and defend the nation—while worrying about what’s in the refrigerator at home.

When We Saw It Up Close

In 2022, the San Dimas Rotary Club was approached by the Diamond Bar Woman’s Club, which operated a military outreach effort called Making Spirits Bright, providing Christmas gifts to junior enlisted families.

That same year, Rotary members visited the Marine Air Ground Combat Center (MAGCC) at Twentynine Palms. There, we met with representatives of the Armed Services YMCA, which operates a food pantry on base. It was in that conversation—standing in the high desert—that the scope of the problem became real.

This wasn’t theoretical. It was immediate.

Young Marine families were walking into a pantry on base because their pay, after housing, childcare, and the cost of relocation, simply wasn’t enough.

From One Food Drive to a Lasting Mission

In March 2023, we organized a major food drive. The response was strong. The need was stronger.

We quickly realized that a single event would not solve a structural problem. What was required was permanence.

In response, we formed the Satellite Rotary Club of Military Family Support, a sole-purpose Rotary club dedicated entirely to supporting active-duty, Reserve, and veteran families. We also established the San Dimas Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)(3), to provide the charitable framework necessary for growth and accountability.

As regional partnerships expanded, we created Feeding Military Families as a DBA under the Foundation, supervised by the Satellite Club.

What began as a community response became an organized mission.

Where the Help Has Gone

Since launching Feeding Military Families, we have collected and distributed more than forty (40) tons of food and household supplies to military communities across California, including:

• Marine Air Ground Combat Center (29 Palms)

• Camp Pendleton

• Fort Irwin

• Los Angeles Air Force Base

• Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach

Each installation presents different challenges.

Fort Irwin sits in a remote high-desert region with limited surrounding infrastructure. Families there face isolation and restricted access to affordable off-base resources.

Twentynine Palms serves thousands of Marines and families in similarly remote conditions.

Camp Pendleton supports one of the largest concentrations of Marines in the country.

Los Angeles Air Force Base and Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach represent urban military communities where high housing costs place extraordinary pressure on junior enlisted families.

In every location, the story is consistent: strong families under strain.

Hunger Is Only Part of the Story

Through the integration of Making Spirits Bright, our mission expanded beyond food alone.

Last December, in addition to supporting families at Camp Pendleton and MAGCC Twentynine Palms, we extended significant assistance to Fort Irwin. There, we delivered:

• Hundreds of toys

• More than 70 bicycles

• $7,000 in direct financial relief through gift cards

For families stationed in one of the most isolated installations in California, the holidays became a season of celebration—not stress.

Because food insecurity is not only about calories. It is about morale. It is about stability. It is about ensuring that when a service member trains, deploys, or stands duty, they are not distracted by worry at home.

Readiness Begins at Home

Military readiness does not start on the battlefield. It begins in the kitchen.

If a service member is worrying about groceries, unpaid bills, or whether their spouse can find employment after yet another relocation, readiness is compromised.

Addressing food insecurity strengthens:

• Family stability

• Mental health

• Morale

• Retention

• Community trust

This is not charity alone. It is an investment in readiness.

The Hidden Hunger

Military culture values self-reliance. Pride runs deep. Asking for help can feel like failure. That stigma is one reason many families struggle quietly.

But the food pantries on base tell the truth.
The federal assistance numbers tell the truth.
The young Marine couple with two children tells the truth.

The hunger is real.

The question is whether we choose to see it.

Join Us – March 14, 2026

The solution is not complicated. It is community.

Feeding Military Families – March Food Drive 🇺🇸
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: TBA
Website: www.feedingmilitaryfamilies.org

Join us as we collect food and essential supplies for military families in need.

Every month, thousands of active-duty service members, veterans, and National Guard families struggle with food insecurity. Since 2022, you have helped us collect and distribute over 40 tons of food and supplies to military families at 29 Palms, Camp Pendleton, Fort Irwin, Los Angeles Air Force Base, and Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach.

This March, we are back with another major Food Drive—and we need your help.

What to Bring:

• Non-perishable food items

• Hygiene and toiletry products

• Baby and household essentials

Whether you donate a bag of groceries, volunteer your time, or simply help spread the word, your support matters.

➡️ Visit www.feedingmilitaryfamilies.org and click on “Events” for full details and volunteer information.

Please share this event. Together, we can ensure no military family goes hungry.

Let’s serve those who serve us.

#FeedingMilitaryFamilies #FoodDrive #SupportOurTroops #MilitaryFamilies