TSA, DOW Create Process to Ease Recruits' Journey to Basic

Feb. 12, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

When the day to leave for boot camp finally arrives, military recruits often have a lot of anxious thoughts racing through their minds.

"How long will I have to stay awake during the first couple of days? When will I get to talk to my family again? Is it true they make you mow the lawns with fingernail clippers?" 

With all those concerns and many others to mull over, having to pony up just south of $50 to be given the privilege of boarding an airplane that's about to shuttle you off to some of the most stressful and demanding seven to 13 weeks of your life — depending on which branch you join — might seem like a slap in the face. 

And yet, having to pay to get processed through airport security was the potential reality that thousands of recruits nationwide were facing as of Feb. 1, when the Transportation Security Administration rolled out its ConfirmID program. 

Under ConfirmID, airport travelers must either present a REAL ID to security or pay $45 to proceed using a standard ID. 

Fortunately, though, the War Department's Office of Personnel and Readiness got ahead of this early by partnering with TSA to ensure recruits who don't possess a REAL ID won't have to dig into their pocketbooks to pass through security. 

Even better, recruits are now receiving "white glove treatment" from TSA when processing through airport security en route to basic training.  

White glove treatment makes getting through security much quicker and more convenient than standard screening, and it's similar to that afforded to our nation's veterans through the Honor Flight program.

Good enough for our nation's current heroes, good enough for our nation's future heroes.  

And here's the really good news: the program is working.

U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command recently conducted a site visit to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where they observed recruits shipping out from Chicago MEPS and having no trouble getting through screening.  

And this included applicants without REAL-ID-compliant identification. 

"Putting our recruits first is a priority. These young men and women have volunteered to serve our nation. When they are shipping out to basic training, we want them focused on the fight, not worried about what type of ID they have or whether they will need to pay a fee to make it there," Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata recently said of the joint DOW-TSA partnership. 

Tata said that it is the War Department's duty to take care of the young men and women who volunteer to serve their country from the moment they sign up to protect the nation, and that the new security screening initiative is a great example of innovation and cross-government collaboration.  

"The department identified a challenge and partnered with TSA to put in place a solution, bolting over the bureaucracy to provide thousands of new recruits with the white glove treatment they deserve," Tata added. 

One senior TSA official — who served 10 years in the Marine Corps and noted that one in five TSA employees are veterans — concurred that easing young recruits' journey to boot camp should be a top priority.  

"TSA is honored to be a part of the journeys young men and women take to reach initial military training and begin their service in America's armed forces. … We are committed to ensuring recruits can stay focused on what lies at the end of their travels, serving America, instead of worrying about how they'll get there," explained Mike Turner, TSA's assistant administrator for domestic aviation operations. 

"By leveraging the pre-vetting processes [that] we already have in place, TSA will assist America's newest service members reach their training safely and smoothly," he added. 

With airport security crossed off their list of worries, the men and women who raised their right hands and swore an oath in anticipation of embarking on one of the most exciting and honorable adventures they'll ever go on are ready, with or without nail clippers.   

Military Sealift Command Delivers Needed Cargo to Antarctica

Feb. 12, 2026 | By Sarah Cannon, Military Sealift Command Pacific |

The Military Sealift Command chartered heavy lift ship Plantijngracht is conducting cargo offload operations at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of MSC's ongoing support of the annual Antarctic resupply mission: Operation Deep Freeze 2026.

The Plantijngracht arrived in Winter Bay, Antarctica, Feb. 4, where its crew offloaded a 65-ton floating modular causeway system. Sections of the system were assembled on the ship's deck before being offloaded, connected and floated into place by the Army's 7th Transportation Battalion. The causeway is being used instead of the traditional ice pier this year due to the size and weight of the ship's cargo. 
 
While the focus of the mission is on cargo delivery, the causeway system came with its own unique set of challenges that planners had to anticipate and account for to ensure a smooth operation. 
 
"The [causeway system] adds to the overall timeline of the cargo offload. It takes approximately three to four days to build at the start of the operation and the same amount of time to break down at the end," said Marie Morrow, the ship's liaison to the Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica staff. "Weather starts to deteriorate quickly in the second half of February, as the summer season comes to a close, so those extra six to eight days can increase the likelihood of weather challenges." 

 
Once the system was in place and secure, the ship was met by members of Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1 and cargo offloading operations began. The ship is delivering 372 pieces of cargo, consisting of containers filled with dry goods and supplies needed for survival at the remote Antarctic outpost. 
 
Logistical moves are nothing new for Military Sealift Command; in fact, around the world, they are almost a daily occurrence. However, moving cargo in the harshest environment on Earth is a mission unto itself. Antarctica is known for its bitterly cold temperatures, harsh winds, ice conditions and weather that can change in a matter of minutes. All factors that need to be considered as operations unfold. 
 
"The austere environment adds a lot of challenges to the operation. Unpredictable weather conditions, freezing cargo gear and high winds are common hurdles faced in the cargo operation. Ice conditions vary from year to year and bring different problems," Morrow said.

The presence of thick ice can slow down the ship's arrival at the station. Little to no ice or open water conditions can cause shoreside erosion at the wharf.  

"To handle all of the challenges, we control what we can within the operation," she said. "We use past lessons learned to handle challenges that come up." 
 
Following the offload, the ship will be loaded with containers of retrograde cargo for transportation off the continent. This includes trash and recyclable materials for disposal and equipment no longer required at the station, as well as the causeway system.

Before departing McMurdo Station, the crew will also load ice-core samples that will be stored on the ship in a subzero freezer. The samples will be delivered to the U.S. for scientific study. 
 
"The cargo delivery from California to Antarctica is one of the longest supply chains in the world. The ship plays a huge role in delivering cargo that supplies and sustains multiple stations on the continent," Morrow said. "The crews are always quite enthusiastic to be a part of such a unique and remote operation. For most, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Air Forces Southern Airman Integral to Rescue Off Coast of Mexico

 Feb. 12, 2026 | By Andrea Jenkins, Air Forces Southern |

Air Force rescue aircrews assigned to the 563rd Rescue Group, supported by Air Forces Southern, conducted a long-range water rescue of a civilian aboard a tanker in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico, Feb. 5.

The mission underscored how training, experience and cross-unit integration enable Air Force rescue forces to respond when time, distance and personnel availability converge. 

The mission began when the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received a request for assistance from the crew of the Maran Gas Olympias, a Greek-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker operating more than 340 nautical miles offshore. A civilian aboard the vessel was experiencing a serious medical emergency that required immediate advanced medical care. 

Because of limited helicopter pilot availability, 563rd Rescue Group leaders reached out to Air Force Lt. Col. Jeff Budis, chief of exercises and airshows assigned to the Air Forces Southern operations directorate. An HH-60W Jolly Green II pilot with over 2,000 flight hours, Budis was asked to integrate into the operation based on his extensive rescue experience. While assigned to Air Forces Southern, Budis maintains his rescue pilot qualifications and continues flying with the rescue group to remain mission-ready. 

"This mission is a shining example of what rescue does," Budis said. "Being ready to go at the drop of a hat — that's why we train the way we do. These missions are unpredictable. They don't come around often, but when they do, you have to be ready; training is what makes that possible." 

Budis served as an aircraft commander and supporting flight lead, overseeing mission planning and execution, including fuel planning, risk management and long-range overwater coordination.

"The call wasn't about where I was assigned — it was about having the right experience available when it was needed," he said. "My role was to integrate into the team and help execute the mission safely." 

Two HH-60W helicopters assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron, supported by an HC-130J Combat King II, launched toward the vessel. The extended distance required detailed mission planning, multiple helicopter air-to-air refueling events, and close coordination among aircrews, pararescue teams and tanker crews. The 79th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II conducted refueling events, transferring more than 13,000 pounds of fuel to extend the helicopter's range and time-on-station. 

"Flying hundreds of miles over open ocean is inherently high risk," Budis said. "If anything goes wrong during air refueling, you're suddenly talking about more survivors than the one you were sent to save." 

Once on scene, 48th Rescue Squadron pararescue personnel boarded the vessel and assessed the patient, determining he required evacuation for higher-level care. While the primary medical team conducted the initial assessment, supporting aircraft managed fuel and timing constraints to ensure the mission could continue safely. 

"They packaged the patient on the bow of the ship, hoisted him off and we flew through the night to Cabo San Lucas, [Mexico]" Budis said. "From there, he was transferred to Mexican medical authorities for continued treatment."

The patient was transported ashore in stable condition. 

Air Force Capt. Nate Delaney, chief of plans and exercises and HH-60W pilot assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron, who flew alongside Budis during the mission, said the operation highlighted the strength of standardized training and trust across the rescue enterprise. 

"Even when crews don't fly together every day, the standards are the same," Delaney said. "Everyone understood their role, trusted the plan and focused on one thing — getting the patient the care he needed and bringing the team home safely."

"We fly with different people all the time, but we all train to the same standards," he added. "That's what allows us to trust each other and execute every mission safely; it comes down to standards and training," Budis said. "We fly with different people all the time, but we all train to the same standards, so we know what to expect and how to trust each other." 

For Budis, missions like this directly inform his work overseeing exercises and training across the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

"Everything I do in exercises is informed by real missions like this," Budis said. "It's easy to draw from real experience when planning and training." 

At the end of the day, he said the mission reflects the core principle that drives the Air Force rescue community. 

"These things we do, that others may live," Budis said. 

Railhead Operations Drive Strategic Mobility for Exercise in Alaska

Feb. 11, 2026 | By Air Force Senior Airman Johnny Diaz, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson |

Large-scale arctic exercises far into the Alaska tundra require support just as sophisticated and robust as the operations themselves. It takes a coordinated network of planners, inspectors and transportation specialists working behind the scenes to move equipment safely and efficiently.

In support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 26-02 exercise at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, logistics professionals assigned to the 773rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 486th Movement Control Team, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 11th Airborne Division, transported critical equipment for several Army units across Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. 

"The entire operation is a coordinated effort between the deploying units, the division transportation office, the movement control center, the installation transportation office, and Alaska Railroad representatives," said William Lower, installation mobilization officer for the squadron. "It's a continuous flow from planning through final execution."

The logistics workflow starts long before equipment enters the rail yard. Personnel working with unit movement officers identify all gear to be shipped, then work with the movement control center and other transportation offices to book the necessary railcars. Training for the loading teams ensures personnel are prepared and proficient when operations begin. 

"By working in tandem with the [movement control center], our team ensures every piece of equipment is not only properly inspected but also loaded onto railcars precisely, according to the approved load plan," said Army Capt. Benjamin Mohn, 486th Movement Control Team commander. "This meticulous oversight is essential for maximizing the use of available space and ensuring equipment meets the Alaska Rail standards, guaranteeing that the train can transport the maximum amount of equipment possible in a single movement." 

A vital phase of the process is the transportation integrity and preparation for shipment inspection. At the designated marshaling area, each vehicle and piece of cargo undergoes a detailed examination for transportability, mechanical soundness, proper documentation and safety compliance before being cleared for movement.

"Every piece of equipment receives a thorough TIPS inspection to ensure it's mechanically sound, properly secured and documented for movement," Lower said. "That step is essential to moving equipment safely and efficiently." 

Central to that effort was the railhead operation, a core logistics process that inspects, documents and loads military vehicles and cargo onto commercial railcars for movement up to the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center. Railhead operations serve as a key node in the broader logistics network, ensuring that vital equipment arrives intact and on schedule. 

By housing both the movement control center and the installation transportation office within the 773rd LRS, the squadron ensures seamless integration of planning and execution, from initial coordination to cargo departure. This integration enabled the 257 TIPS inspections of the 65 railcars carrying vital equipment in support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center.

"The [movement control center] and [installation transportation office] are integral parts of the 773rd LRS," Lower said. "By bringing those capabilities together, we're able to synchronize the entire process and guarantee assets are deployed safely, securely and on schedule." 

Railhead and movement control operations often go unseen by soldiers whose gear is already en route or in place. Still, these logistics professionals provide the backbone that enables units to meet training and operational objectives. 

"The strong, trusted partnership between the [movement control team], the [movement control center] and all participating units is the bedrock of our success," Mohn said. "This shared understanding allows our team to remain agile and effectively solve the inevitable challenges and friction that arise during complex operations, ensuring the mission is always accomplished."

Hegseth Calls for Military Unity Across Western Hemisphere at Inaugural Defense Chiefs Gathering

Feb. 11, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth today called on defense chiefs and other senior military leaders from 34 Western Hemisphere countries to unite in deterrence against bad actors who may already be operating in, or working to encroach upon, the region. 

Convened by Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and held in downtown Washington, the daylong, first-of-its-kind Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Defense Conference focused on regional security cooperation against narco-terrorism and other criminal enterprises throughout the hemisphere, while also analyzing common security priorities between allies and partner nations.  

While delivering prepared remarks at the meeting's outset, Hegseth said the U.S. — like all countries represented at the conference — desires a hemisphere of peace, which is why all those countries must work together to achieve and preserve it. 

"We, like you, want — and will — achieve a permanent peace in this hemisphere. So, let's work together [with] our militaries: exercising, training, operations, [intelligence], access, basing, overflight, you name it — let's work together," Hegseth told the gathered leaders.  

"To achieve these goals, we have to stand together; there's no other way to do it," he added.  

Hegseth said the War Department, under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and his administration, is prioritizing protecting the homeland and key territories throughout the hemisphere for the first time in decades. 

"The United States is asserting, reestablishing and enforcing the Trump corollary of the Monroe Doctrine," Hegseth explained. 

Issued in 1823 by President James Monroe, the Monroe Doctrine declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to any new attempts at colonization by European nations, and that any interference by those powers would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States.  

Reciprocally, the U.S. pledged not to interfere with any of Europe's internal affairs and not meddle in any of Europe's colonial affairs. 

"It's common sense: restoring American power and American strength in our hemisphere through shared priorities and common interests and threads with partners against our adversaries," Hegseth said.  

He went on to reiterate a core tenet of the Trump administration's philosophy on homeland security: that, for far too long, the U.S. had focused on securing and defending other nations around the world while neglecting security within the U.S. and throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

"The consequences of this have been dire for our nation and for your nations; fentanyl, cocaine [and] other deadly drugs poured across our border, poisoning and killing millions of Americans. The number of deaths for Americans to those weapons and those threats is far higher than American casualties in any kinetic war," Hegseth said, adding that illegal mass migration and human smuggling had risen exponentially in the years leading up to the U.S. closing its southern border last year.  

Along with the residual benefits of closing the border — which Hegseth said include the biggest drop in illegal border crossings in the past 50 years, as well as a significant reduction in the U.S. murder rate — he also pointed out the successes that the U.S. military and law enforcement are having through the anti-narco-terror mission to the south, specifically with Operation Southern Spear. 

Launched last year by U.S. Southern Command, Southern Spear is a joint U.S. military campaign aimed at disrupting drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, particularly by conducting lethal airstrikes against suspected traffickers.  

"Operation Southern Spear has restored deterrence against the narco-terrorist cartels that profit from poisoning Americans and killing our people and your people," Hegseth told the group, adding that the number of narco-terror boats in the region has diminished significantly since the U.S. strikes began in September 2025.  

"Narco-traffickers know that the true cost of flooding our country with deadly drugs is death for themselves — a real deterrent," he said. 

Hegseth also pointed to the success of Operation Absolute Resolve, in which U.S. forces last month captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. 

"Operation Absolute Resolve demonstrated, once again, the bravery and skill and capability of America's best: our warfighters," he said. 

As his remarks drew to a close, Hegseth underscored that Trump and his administration believe that sovereignty and territorial integrity depend upon military power, and not just traditional law enforcement. 

"Yes, policing is important [and] enforcing is important, but military power is [also] important," Hegseth said, adding that the countries represented during the day's conference must work together to combat and dismantle narco-terrorism and drug trafficking cartels in the Western Hemisphere.   

"We need to build those bonds of partnership to defeat the challenges to our security and our sovereignty," he added. "So, as you might say, we can make the Americas great again."  

Senior Enlisted Advisor to Chairman Testifies on Quality of Life

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

Warfighters are the foundation of War Department lethality, said Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman David L. Isom, who testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee on service member and family quality of life, yesterday.

The love and support from their families make their service possible, he added.

As the joint force works tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the nation, DOW and the nation must also work tirelessly to ensure service members have full support and that they have what they need to fight and win when called upon, the SEAC said.

"Humans are more important than hardware, because the true strength of our military isn't just in our ships and our tanks or our aircraft. It's the unwavering spirit and the trusted hands of our people, our total joint force," Isom said.

Isom told the subcommittee that he and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have three priorities:

• First, the joint force must be properly armed — the right capabilities and capacity when needed to fight and win.
• Second, the joint force must be globally integrated across all domains — with interagency, industry and with allies and partners.
• Third, DOW must build a ready joint force. Being ready is about repetitions, tough training and building muscle memory. This also includes being clear-eyed about the future and being candid with the force and its families.

"Underpinning these priorities is our most important asset, and that's our people," Isom said. "We recruit America's best, and we must retain this talent by taking care of them and taking care of their families."

Senior enlisted leaders from all the service branches also testified.