Washington National Guardsmen Support Statewide Wildfire Response

Aug. 4, 2026 | By Army Lt. Col. Joseph Siemandel, Joint Force Headquarters, Washington National Guard |

As wildfires spread across Washington state recently, Washington National Guardsmen joined the firefight working alongside state and local partners to protect threatened communities, property and critical infrastructure.  

On July 19, Washington Army National Guard aviation crews began providing sustained aerial firefighting support using two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, based out of Deer Park, Wash.

Operating under demanding conditions that include intense heat, smoke and rapidly changing fire behavior, crews have flown repeated daily missions to deliver water directly onto active fires and support firefighters.  

By the end of the 15th day of aviation operations, National Guard aircrews had accumulated 146.5 flight hours and dropped 1,181 buckets, or approximately 970,000 gallons, of water.  

"Wildfire suppression operations is hands down the most physically and mentally demanding task an Army aviator will perform," said Army Lt. Col. Adam Hanisch, Washington Army National Guard state aviation officer. "These missions require constant communication with firefighters on the ground, as well as with multiple aircraft from various agencies supervising and participating in a visually degraded environment with zero margin of error. We take this extremely seriously from preparation through execution and are honored to provide this service to Washington state."  

As new fires broke out through late July, National Guard hand crews, ground personnel, were requested July 28 by the Washington Department of Natural Resources for support at a fire north of Leavenworth, Wash. On July 31, more than 100 guardsmen, including five 20-person hand crews, mobilized to Pangborn Memorial Airport to in-process and receive their equipment before heading to the fire camp in Plain, Wash.

"This is a mission we train for long before wildfire season arrives, so when we get the call from our partners at the Department of Natural Resources, we're ready to go," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, Washington National Guard commander. "I'm incredibly proud of these men and women who have stepped forward to support this mission and [I] am confident they'll bring hard work and professionalism to the fire line. They're taking on demanding, dangerous work to protect our communities, and I hope everyone will do their part to keep them, and everyone working around the clock to fight these fires, as safe as possible."  

Wildland firefighting has become a recurring domestic response mission for the Washington National Guard. Each year, guardsmen train alongside the Washington Department of Natural Resources and other firefighting agencies to prepare for the possibility of being called to support wildfire response. That preparation allows service members to integrate quickly with civilian agencies while remaining under the direction of the incident command system.  

The mission is one Washington National Guardsmen have answered repeatedly over the past three decades. From the large-scale response to the 1994 wildfire season to recent activations across the state, soldiers and airmen have supported wildland firefighting efforts from the air and on the ground.  

On Aug. 1, multiple fires erupted near the city of Spokane, Wash., forcing residents to evacuate a heavily populated area. The Washington National Guard immediately activated 100 service members to support local law enforcement officers with traffic control point operations, helping residents get to safety.   

"Answering the call when our state needs us is at the very core of who we are. This is the spirit of the guard," said Air Force Col. Carrie Wentzel, Washington National Guard director of joint operations. "We train for these critical missions, prepare our force to the highest standards, and when the call comes, we respond alongside our partners in the field. Our soldiers and airmen are Washingtonians, and they are fully committed to helping our communities protect lives, homes and property during wildfires."

Air National Guard Squadron Sharpens Readiness in Jungle Terrain

Aug. 4, 2026 | By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Scofield, 178th Wing |

Wind moves through the trees at Schofield Barracks' East Range as leaves crunch underfoot and boots sink into mud. Humidity clings to uniforms as security forces airmen navigate steep terrain, flowing water and unfamiliar surroundings, trading the familiar landscape of the Midwest for the jungle terrain of Oahu, Hawaii.

For two weeks, July 13-27, airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Security Forces Squadron challenged themselves through annual training designed to strengthen small-unit tactics, decision-making and expeditionary readiness.

The training combined classroom instruction with hands-on field exercises, including jungle familiarization, dismounted patrolling, ambush training, land navigation and rope systems. The realistic environment challenged airmen to apply what they learned while operating in unfamiliar terrain.

This was part of an 18-month effort by the squadron to increase its focus on small-team operations and prepare airmen to make tactical-level decisions in increasingly decentralized environments that will be needed in the future, said Air Force Maj. Eric Minshaw, 178th Security Forces Squadron commander.

The jungle environment quickly became one of the most valuable instructors.

"The terrain and the environment have been perfect," Minshaw said. "It certainly has been the greatest challenge that we've faced out here, just navigating through the water and elevation changes."

For Air Force 1st Lt. Kyle Mackerig, a guest jungle instructor assigned to the 820th Base Defense Group at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, the training provided an opportunity to share knowledge gained through his experience operating in jungle environments.

Mackerig graduated from the Army Jungle Operations Training Course in May 2025 and joined the 178th SFS to help airmen develop the skills necessary to operate in jungle terrain.

The goal extended beyond simply learning how to navigate. The training challenged airmen to remain effective when conditions were unfamiliar, and the path forward was uncertain.

"The jungle is the classroom, not the objective," said Air Force Master Sgt. Bradley Akers. "Our purpose is to push our airmen beyond their comfort zones in one of the world's most demanding environments, reinforcing disciplined leadership, teamwork and adaptability. Those are the qualities that make them more capable defenders, regardless of where the mission takes them."

That challenge took many forms throughout the two weeks. Airmen hiked through steep terrain and mud, navigated waterways and practiced moving through the jungle while carrying their equipment.

During one exercise, they made their way to a river and moved chest-deep through the water, testing whether their packs could float and learning how to operate in and around a water obstacle. They emerged from the river covered in mud, carrying another lesson from an environment far removed from what they typically encounter in Ohio.

For Air Force Staff Sgt. Macy Flannery, squadron member, the experience also provided an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within her team. Flannery, who is in her fifth year of service, said the training challenged them to work together while learning basic survival skills and small-unit tactics.

"It's been a good bonding experience for our team," she said. "We're going through it all together and having to do a lot of teamwork for our different training experiences."

Mackerig said the teamwork he witnessed throughout the training gave him a new appreciation for the squadron.

"The biggest thing that surprised me about working with the [National] Guard, and in particular the 178th, is how tight-knit they are, how much of a family they are," he said. "Everyone feels welcome here, even from being an outsider."

That sense of teamwork became evident throughout the training, as airmen and noncommissioned officers looked after one another and shared skills developed through previous training and experience.

"We've got a great team," Minshaw said. "The NCOs that we have and the instructor cadre that have come in [are] absolutely top shelf."

From checking water supplies and applying sunscreen to sharing specialized skills and helping teammates navigate difficult terrain, the small actions demonstrated the team's commitment to one another, he said.

"It's really awesome to see the team come together" and use some of the special skills they have in the training environment and then teach their teammates, Minshaw said, adding that the ultimate value of the training lies in what airmen take with them when they leave. Training environments like this allow airmen to discover their limits in a controlled setting, giving them the confidence to face future challenges.

"It's better to find ... your breaking points and move past those in a training environment like this, rather than to be caught flat-footed in our operational environment," Minshaw said.

As the airmen leave the mud, water and steep terrain of Schofield Barracks, the lessons learned in the jungle will follow them. The physical challenges, tactical problems and moments of uncertainty provided more than a test of endurance. It allowed them to build confidence, strengthen teamwork and develop the ability to make decisions in unfamiliar environments.

Largest Pacific Joint Maritime Exercise Successfully Concludes

Aug. 3, 2026 | By Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet |

The Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, the world's largest combined and joint maritime exercise, successfully concluded July 31. 

The 30th iteration of the biennial exercise began June 24, bringing together 30 nations, more than 30,000 personnel, 30 surface ships, five submarines and more than 197 aircraft under the theme "Partners: Integrated and Prepared."  

Throughout five weeks of realistic training, participating forces enhanced interoperability, strengthened readiness and reinforced the partnerships that support maritime security across the Pacific region. 

"No single nation can ensure security in the Pacific alone," said Navy Vice Adm. Jeff Jablon, commander of the Rimpac 2026 task force. "The global maritime environment is too large and too complex for any one country to safeguard by itself. Rimpac gives us the chance to build the trust and relationships that make us stronger long before any crisis happens." 

Rimpac 2026 was hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and spearheaded by U.S. 3rd Fleet. Multinational leaders were integrated throughout the exercise, with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Takuo Kobayashi serving as vice commander of the task force and Chilean navy Commodore Andres Howard serving as task force deputy commander. Rear Adm. In-ho Kim from the South Korean navy served as commander of the combined force maritime component, and Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. J.S. Davis served as commander of the combined force air component.

The exercise also coincided with the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary, underscoring the enduring partnerships that continue to strengthen security across the Pacific. For 250 years, the Navy has worked alongside allies and partners to promote maritime security by building relationships founded on trust, cooperation, and shared values. Rimpac puts those principles into practice by providing a venue where participating forces train together, improve interoperability and strengthen the relationships that enable combined and joint operations.

"The network of allies and partners in the region is an asymmetric advantage," Jablon said. "The work participating nations do at Rimpac builds the combined and joint ability to deter conflict and supports all nations in exercising their sovereign rights and freedoms in the maritime domain." 

The exercise was conducted in three phases. During the in-port phase, participants established multinational command relationships, planned operations and strengthened partnerships through professional exchanges, cultural events and sporting competitions. During the at-sea phase, participating forces executed complex combined and joint training, including anti-submarine warfare, maritime strikes, integrated air and missile defense, amphibious operations and logistics. The exercise concluded with a free-play scenario in which opposing forces reacted dynamically to one another to evaluate the force's combined and joint maritime capabilities. 

Throughout the exercise, participating forces executed more than 500 maritime training events, flew more than 2,400 sorties and responded to more than 5,000 scenario-based operational problems.

"Interoperability is something we must continue to develop," Kobayashi said. "Rimpac brings together allies and partners committed to strengthening security and stability across the region. The daily conversations, shared experiences and personal relationships developed throughout the exercise strengthen our ability to respond together, whether supporting maritime security or assisting communities following a disaster." 

Training alongside allies and partners in a realistic, multinational environment allows participating nations to improve their ability to operate in combined maritime operations, Kim said.  

"By training together in these complex scenarios, nations improve readiness, refine warfighting skills and build the teamwork needed to operate effectively side by side," he added.

Rimpac 2026 demonstrated that maritime security is strengthened through trust, cooperation and shared values. By training together in a realistic operational environment, participating nations improved their ability to operate as a combined and joint force across the full spectrum of maritime operations.

Marine Expeditionary Unit Transits Panama Canal

Aug. 3, 2026 | By Marine Corps Capt. Shawn Doublet, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit |

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit — operating as Littoral Combat Force 24 — transited the Panama Canal, Aug. 1, aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio.

Marking the first time a Marine expeditionary unit has navigated the canal since 2008, this large-scale maneuver is a demonstration of the Marine Corps' capacity for rapid global mobility, maritime dominance and seamless power projection.

"This historic transit is a powerful testament to the flexibility and readiness of Littoral Combat Force 24," said Marine Corps Col. Ryan Lynch, LCF 24 commanding officer. "Our ability to seamlessly navigate this critical waterway alongside our Navy partners, aboard the USS San Antonio, demonstrates our capability to rapidly project power and respond to crises anywhere in the [U.S.] Southern Command area of responsibility. We are ready to operate straight from the sea, at a moment's notice."

The transit serves as a validation of the littoral combat force concept and the modern Marine air-ground task force. It proves the unit's ability to navigate narrow waterways and project assets ashore without relying on established military basing, underscoring the Marine Corps' enduring role as the nation's premier readiness force, perfectly calibrated for contested littoral regions.

The foundation of this capability is the unbreakable teamwork between the Navy and the Marine Corps. The interoperability displayed highlights a fully integrated naval force supporting combatant commander objectives.

Since its completion, the Panama Canal has served as a vital strategic pathway for the U.S. and its allies. The canal allows naval vessels to rapidly shift between the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, saving weeks of travel around South America.

Navigating this critical maritime shortcut ensures the U.S. military can maintain a flexible, responsive posture — surging ships and troops to meet emerging crises across hemispheres without delay.

By moving fluidly through the canal, the team proved its unrestricted access to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, which spans Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Whether tasked with humanitarian disaster relief, bolstering regional partnerships or deterring aggression, this force can reach anywhere in the region to deliver tailored, decisive effects.

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Cpl. Jake Allex

 Aug. 3, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Cpl. Jake Allex earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary courage while leading his men forward under heavy fire during the Battle of Amiens in World War I.

Allex was born Angelko Allex Mandushich July 13, 1887, in Streska, near Prizren, in the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire, present-day Kosovo. He was of ethnic Serbian descent, born to Sava A. Mandushich and Savka Sosevich.

He married Valinka Mandushich, per the 1930 U.S. census. They had two daughters and a son.

Allex immigrated to the United States, sailing from Bremen, Germany, about June 1912, according to his 1919 form requesting naturalization and a passport, and changed his name to Jake Allex.

He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard on April 27, 1917, just weeks after the United States entered World War I, April 6, 1917.

On the day Allex earned the Medal of Honor, Aug. 9, 1918, he was assigned to Company H, 131st Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division, at Chipilly Ridge, France, about 75 miles north of Paris.

His citation reads that at a critical point in the fighting, when the platoon commander and all the noncommissioned officers of his platoon become casualties, he took command and led the men forward until the advance was stopped by enemy machine-gun fire.

Allex then advanced alone for about 30 yards in the face of intense enemy fire and attacked the machine-gun nest. He killed five enemy soldiers with his bayonet, and when it broke, he used the butt of his rifle to smash the enemy. During the fighting, he captured 15 prisoners.

The action at Chipilly Ridge occurred during the Battle of Amiens, which took place Aug. 8-11, 1918. Allex and the rest of the 33rd Infantry Division would later fight in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the Second Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Saint-Mihiel.

The Medal of Honor was presented to Allex on April 22, 1919, in Ettelbruck, Luxembourg, by Army Gen. John J. Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

Allex was honorably discharged from the Army on June 4, 1919, as a sergeant. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen Sept. 16, 1919.

After returning from the war, he worked for a time at the Morris & Co. meat-packing plant in Chicago, where the employees referred to him as Sgt. Jake. The 1930 U.S. census lists Allex as a construction foreman in Cook County, Illinois, and it also lists the value of his home at $1,800.

In 1931, Allex, who was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, was invited by the Illinois governor to attend an address by President Herbert Hoover at the Lincoln Tomb in Springfield, Illinois, which he accepted.

Allex retired from the Chicago municipal water department in 1954. In December 1958, the Disabled American Veterans of Illinois presented him with a color television. Most people had black-and-white televisions at that time.

He died Aug. 28, 1959, and was buried at the Serbian Orthodox Cemetery and Monastery of Saint Sava in Libertyville, Illinois.

Oregon Guard Aircrews Support State Wildfire Response

July 31, 2026 | By Army Maj. Wayne Clyne, Oregon National Guard |

Two Oregon Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopters and two HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters began water bucket operations, July 29, in support of wildland firefighting efforts on the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County, part of a broader Oregon National Guard response to the state's wildfire season. 

As of July 29, the fire had burned approximately 33,504 acres and was 3% contained, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry. Aircrews completed 44 water bucket drops that day, delivering approximately 50,000 gallons of water on the fire. 

The aircraft, flying out of Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 in Pendleton, Oregon, home to the Oregon Army National Guard's CH-47 fleet, received its state active-duty activation order and completed joint reception, staging, onward movement and integration, July 28.

"Currently, we're activated on state active duty for forest fires," said Army Maj. Taylor Fry, Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 operations officer. "We have two CH-47s and crews that are out fighting these fires, along with two Black Hawks ... to support our local community, to save land, to save livestock and to save homes." 

Fry said coordination with the Oregon Department of Forestry and partner agencies has been close, aided this year by fire management support from California. 

"We work very well with them and have for many years," Fry said. "We have a couple of representatives from [the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection] up here this year, helping us out with our helicopter management and coordination with them." 

Behind every aircraft in the air is a maintenance team working to keep it there. Army Staff Sgt. Amanda Hickman, an Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 aircraft systems supervisor, oversees the ground crew responsible for keeping the Chinooks flight-ready, including the water buckets themselves.  

"There's a lot that goes into making sure that our buckets are operational," Hickman said. "The mechanics spend a lot of time making sure that all of our faults are minimized the best that we can. I do a little bit of production control, so a lot goes into verifying how much time I have available on each aircraft and then setting priorities for which aircraft can fly and how many hours each aircraft can fly." 

Hickman, who has served in the Oregon Army National Guard for 20 years, said aircraft turnaround time depends heavily on parts availability and keeping them flying is one of the least visible but most demanding parts of the mission.  

"I like that the National Guard is being used for something to help our community, and so if I can play a part in helping the community, that's what I want to do," she said. 

Once a Chinook is airborne, its crew chief takes on responsibility for the bucket itself. Army Sgt. Isaiah Torres, a Chinook crew chief, said the process starts well before the aircraft ever reaches a fire. 

"It's almost the same as for any other flight, except you have to get the bucket ready," he said. "We get our bucket staged ... inspect the bucket, make sure valves are good. We do an [operational] check before we actually take the bucket to the target site." 

In flight, he said two crew members work in the back of the aircraft to guide the pilots over the fire and monitor the load. The crew chief hits the trigger to release the water and then the aircraft returns to the dip site to load up again.  

Torres, who has served as a crew chief for two years, said the mission carries a sense of purpose. 

"It's better than just training flights. I think we're actually doing our job, which I enjoy," he said. "I've never been in a helicopter before the Army, so it's a pretty cool experience." 

Fry said the biggest challenge of sustaining the mission isn't equipment or coordination, but people — Oregon Army National Guardsmen balance activation with civilian jobs and families during peak summer months. 

"It takes our citizen soldiers away from their full-time jobs and their families," Fry said. "But the best part about this organization is that everybody is willing to do that, and everybody is willing to give up their summers and their time to come and support this mission." 

Fry added that the guardsmen flying and maintaining the aircraft are, in many cases, the same people Oregonians see every day. 

"These people are your neighbors. They're your friends," Fry said. "They're out here supporting you, supporting the state and supporting our interests to keep the state safe and beautiful." 

According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, the National Guard aircraft are expected to continue supporting firefighting efforts as long as needed, based on ground conditions.