Medal of Honor Monday: Army Capt. Frederick F. Henry

Sept. 1, 2025

By Katie Lange, DOD News

 

During the early days of the Korean War, Army Capt. Frederick Funston Henry chose to take the brunt of an enemy attack alone so the rest of his platoon could survive. For his gallant actions and self-sacrifice, Henry received a posthumous Medal of Honor.  

Henry was born Sept. 23, 1919, in Vian, Oklahoma, to James and Ida Mae Henry as the third oldest of 13 children. As if they knew he would go on to do great things, his parents named him after Army Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston, a Medal of Honor recipient who served during the Philippine-American War at the turn of the century. 

The family eventually moved about three hours west to Clinton, Oklahoma, where Henry grew up before enlisting in the Army in September 1940. Five of his brothers also served during World War II, while two continued their service in Korea.  

Henry served in the 6th Army during World War II and earned a battlefield commission to second lieutenant while in the Pacific Theater in 1945. After hostilities ended, he served in Germany, where he met Lavon "Bonnie" Southam, a combat nurse, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The pair later married and had two children, Frederick Jr. and Sharon.  

When the Korean War broke out, Henry's unit, Company F of the 28th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, was one of the first to deploy to the peninsula in the summer of 1950.  

On Sept. 1, 1950, the 33-year-old first lieutenant was leading his platoon as it held a strategic ridge near the town of Andong, South Korea, when they were attacked by a much larger enemy force. Heavy mortar and artillery fire quickly threw the platoon into disarray. To keep the unit together, Henry left his foxhole so he could move around his men, ordering them to stay in place and return fire.  

Encouraged by Henry's bravery, the platoon reformed its defensive line and delivered intense fire back, impeding the enemy's advance. Unfortunately, the enemy succeeded in knocking out all communications, so Henry had no way of knowing if the main line of resistance was still in place.  

"There were bullets and shells falling all around," Army Sgt. Richard Siman, who was part of Henry's platoon, later told officials. "Our ammunition was running low." 

Despite being seriously injured, Henry stayed put while ordering the wounded men in his platoon to evacuate. He had them give him all their weapons and ammunition before they left, so he could set up a one-man position. He then ordered the rest of his platoon to withdraw.  

Henry was last seen firing every weapon he had at the enemy. His Medal of Honor citation stated that his effort caused approximately 50 enemy casualties before he ran out of ammunition, and his position was overrun. His selfless actions that day saved his platoon and kept the enemy at bay long enough for the main line of resistance to fully push them back.  

Henry was initially listed as missing in action. He was officially declared dead on Dec. 31, 1953, and posthumously promoted to captain. His name is listed on the Wall of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, his remains have not yet been recovered.  

On Jan. 9, 1951, Henry's widow received the Medal of Honor on his behalf from President Harry S. Truman during a White House ceremony. Four other fallen soldiers also posthumously received the honor that day.  

Henry has not been forgotten. In May 1960, a U.S. camp that's part of current-day Army Garrison Daegu was named Camp Henry in his honor. In 2004, a memorial was dedicated to him at a park in his hometown of Vian. In 2013, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame. A year later, a highway near his hometown was renamed for him.  

WWII Hero Honored at U.S. Open Tennis Championships

Aug. 31, 2025 | By David Vergun, DOD News |

The U.S. Tennis Association hosted the 2025 Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day yesterday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, in Queens, New York. 

This U.S. Open tennis tournament event is dedicated to honoring and recognizing members of the U.S. military, named in honor of Hunt, the only U.S. Open champion to die in service to his country. 

Several speakers at the event paid tribute to Hunt. 

More than a tennis player, Hunt was the U.S. Nationals champion, an NCAA champion, a Naval Academy graduate and a Navy football star. Like so many of his generation, he put aside his personal achievement to answer his nation's call, said Navy Rear Adm. Michael Boyle, director of the Navy staff. 

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Hunt "traded aces on the court for the challenge of becoming an ace in the sky, earning his wings of gold as a naval aviator," he said. 

This year marks 80 years since his sacrifice, and it also marks a historic milestone: the 250th birthday of the United States, Navy, Marine Corps and Army, Boyle noted. 

"Our sacred duty is to fight with toughness, tenacity and integrity to defend this nation. That is what 250 years of service means," he added. 

Joe Hunt, grand-nephew of Lt. Joe Hunt, said, "The military has a code which says we shall never forget, and that is what this day is very much about. To those of you who wear and have worn the uniform, we will not forget your service.  

"We truly appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifice of your families, and we will never forget you," he added. 

Yesterday's events included an oath of enlistment ceremony, military family engagements and performances by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, as well as the Navy Sea Chanters. 

More About Lt. Joe Hunt 

Hunt won the 1943 U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York City while on leave from the Navy in early September of that year. 

He is the only man in history to win the U.S. national boys' (then 15-and-under), juniors' (18-and-under), collegiate and U.S. men's singles titles.  

Hunt also played football at the U.S. Naval Academy, winning a game ball in the 1941 Army-Navy game after beating Army 14-6 in Philadelphia, Nov. 29, 1941. Eight days later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 

Due to wartime needs, Hunt's class graduated early on Dec. 19, 1941, instead of in the spring of 1942. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the destroyer USS Rathburne, an antisubmarine warfare training ship homeported in San Diego.  

At the end of September 1943, Hunt was assigned to the destroyer USS Kearny, which escorted a merchant convoy to Casablanca, Morocco. However, he wanted to fly and was eager for combat duty, according to his grand-nephew Joe Hunt, a Seattle attorney who was named for his great uncle.  

Hunt requested a transfer to aviation, and it was granted. His training began at Naval Air Station Dallas on Dec. 30, 1943. In May 1944, he received advanced aviation training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He wanted to defend his tennis title that year, but his leave request was denied. 

On Feb. 2, 1945, Hunt's F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean east of Daytona Beach, Florida, during a training flight. Hunt and his aircraft were never recovered. 

Hunt left behind a wife, Jacque Virgil Hunt, whom he married in 1942.  

Hunt was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1966. 

On Sept. 1, 2014, Hunt was honored on center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the U.S. Open, an event he won 71 years earlier.  

Every year since 2019, the U.S. Open has celebrated his service and honored service members and veterans on "Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day." 

Army Medical Researchers Hunt for Indicators of Heat Stress Risk

Aug. 28, 2025

 By Paul Lagasse, Army Medical Research and Development Command |

Heat-related injuries are a persistent threat to warfighters, especially during ruck marches and timed runs. Physiologists have long sought to understand why some people are able to withstand the effects of heat for longer periods, while others of the same age and physical condition are prone to experiencing potentially dangerous symptoms.

A team of researchers at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine is seeking to solve that mystery by identifying specific physiological characteristics of people who can withstand extreme heat stress during training. By helping to identify risk factors and prevention strategies for heat-related illnesses, the research could lead to improved recovery and return-to-duty protocols that better protect the health of warfighters, thereby improving their readiness, endurance and lethality. 
 
Exertional heatstroke — a severe form of heat illness typically marked by high body temperature and altered mental status such as disorientation and loss of consciousness — affects nearly 500 service members per year. The Medical Surveillance Monthly Report recently found that the overall incidence rate of EHS among military personnel increased in 2024 after three years of steady decline.  

Gabrielle Giersch, a research physiologist in USARIEM's Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, is leading the study and said that the research into identifying risk factors and biomarkers associated with resilience to heat stress will help fill key gaps in the Defense Department's understanding of heat-related illness. 
 
"Heat illnesses pose a serious threat not just to individuals, but also to units and deployability, and they impose a significant financial cost as well," Giersch said. "We don't have a lot of data on the factors that contribute to the onset of heat illness or optimal recovery time. This study is designed to help us develop better criteria for determining the return-to-duty requirements for heat illness [sufferers] by identifying what puts people at risk and how those risk factors affect them." 
 
Earlier this summer, Giersch and her team traveled to Fort Rucker, Alabama, where they recruited 24 volunteer soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, to serve as the study's control group. Prior to participating in a 5-mile run and an 8-mile ruck march as part of their regular physical training, the volunteers provided blood and urine samples and were fitted with instrumentation to monitor their heart rate, skin temperature and core temperature.

They also completed a brief questionnaire on their health history. In follow-up visits, the research team collected blood and urine samples from the volunteers at six-hour intervals for an additional 24 hours — the same frequency that care providers in emergency departments and hospitals take samples from actual heat illness patients. The samples will be analyzed to identify the prevalence of biological molecules that can be correlated with a volunteer's ability to better withstand the onset of EHS. 
 
"The 24 individuals who participated in the initial data collection represented a pretty wide spectrum of race, sex, fitness status and body mass index," Giersch said. "We haven't analyzed the blood samples yet, but the core temperature data showed that several people reached high temperatures without experiencing any symptoms of EHS and cooled off very quickly, which gives us a very good indication that we have a really good control group to identify what individuals who don't become heat illness casualties look like relative to those who do." 
 
Giersch said the team hopes to enlist special operations forces as volunteers to participate in similar data collection events throughout the summer. The team is specifically seeking data from the elite warfighter population because they tend to experience a higher rate of heat-related illnesses thanks to the intensity of their training.  

The team aims to publish their findings next year. The outcomes of this study will also be used to inform future updates to the Army's medical bulletin, "Heat Stress Control and Heat Casualty Management," which provides guidance for developing and implementing programs for preventing, diagnosing and treating heat-related injuries — crucial for ensuring a swift return to duty and improving unit readiness rates.

 
In addition to informing policy decisions and pushing the boundaries of our understanding of heat-related injury, Giersch said the study has also been of intense personal interest to the soldiers who volunteered to participate in it. 
 
"There is so much intrinsic value for the volunteers in this study," she said. "People were constantly coming up to me and asking what their core temperature was, when we'd have their blood data and similar questions. They want to see the papers when they get published and learn how our study impacts policy. They really want to make life better for their future battle buddies, whether they know them or not. That makes it all worthwhile."

Paratroopers Make History With Army's First Drone-on-Drone Strike

 Aug. 27, 2025 

By Army Capt. Jennifer French, 173rd Airborne Brigade |

For Army 1st Lt. Francesco La Torre, the Army's first drone-on-drone strike wasn't exactly a Hollywood moment. 

"In [the Star Wars movie], 'A New Hope,' Luke Skywalker flies an X-Wing through the Death Star trench and blows it up," La Torre said. "This wasn't like that. It was way harder. Honestly, it felt more like Darth Vader shooting down rebel pilots. He might be the villain, but he's also one of the best pilots in the galaxy." 
 
That was the image in La Torre's mind as his team with the 173rd Airborne Brigade achieved a milestone once unimaginable for conventional Army units: destroying an aircraft in flight using a first-person-view drone carrying an explosive charge. 
 
The strike took place earlier this month during the Army's Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Summit, held Aug. 11-15 at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The live-fire event was led by the brigade's bayonet innovation team in partnership with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and engineers from Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. 

 
"When I heard [Army] Chief [Warrant Officer 2] Nate Shea say, 'Arming,' when he was lined up behind the fixed wing threat UAS, I knew he'd take it down," La Torre said. "A few seconds later he detonated the claymore [mine], and I looked up from my end-user device to see the fixed-wing [aircraft] drop out of the sky." 
 
The success came after weeks of training. Paratroopers flew for hours each day, building muscle memory while rehearsing how to engage a fast-moving aircraft. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Topits familiarized himself with the fixed-wing platform a month in advance, while Shea practiced with inactive claymores. Once on the ground at Fort Rucker, the operators flew daily in changing weather, preparing for a target that could appear anywhere across the range. 
 
Technical skill proved as important as piloting. 
 
"The ability to train and solve problems immediately afterwards was critical to mission success," La Torre said. "The team was soldering, disassembling, reassembling and performing [quality assurance] around the clock while rehearsals were underway. While tactical units and technicians may not share the same language, they do share an intellectual curiosity and desire to succeed." 
 
La Torre emphasized what it means for the average paratrooper. 

 
"With the right kit, paratroopers will be able to utilize a low-cost system with preexisting munitions to execute a wide variety of mission tasks — and have the power to protect their unit from an endemic threat," he said. 
 
The drone demonstration showed that innovation doesn't have to come from the top. 
 
"It feels extremely satisfying to have this level of impact, but solving these kinds of problems should not be alien to junior officers, or any leader," La Torre said. "Every year the Army produces leaders at all levels who are better educated now than ever before. At the end of the day, rank is immaterial when it comes to problem-solving." 
 
For La Torre, the milestone reflects how far the 173rd Airborne Brigade has come. 

 
"At this time last year, this kind of training was a pipe dream for conventional units," he said. "For the engagement itself, Chief Shea did an incredible job and so did Chief Topits. It's such a difficult mission profile for both aircraft." 
 
Lessons from the bayonet innovation team fed directly into Fort Rucker's new lethal UAS course, directed by Army Capt. Rachel Martin and Army Maj. Wolf Amacker. The course consolidates milestones within the Army's UAS community and serves as a hub for education and experimentation. 
 
"The more testing and experimentation we do, the less we must teach theoretically and the more we can back claims with real data," La Torre said. "Safe and effective experimentation allows commanders to understand the true nature of the risks they assume with these systems and helps make this training more commonplace." 
 
For La Torre, the boundaries are clear: safety and scalability. 
 
"We must safely conduct training, testing and experimentation," he said. "We also must make sure everything we do is exportable to other units so they can do the same. I'm confident what we've done is scalable, and the lethal UAS course at Fort Rucker will centralize the growth of lethal UAS engagements while also serving as a hub for subject matter experts to gather and exchange lessons learned."

FIM-92 Stinger: A concise history, capabilities, and combat record

Few weapons have shaped modern low-altitude air defense as visibly as the FIM-92 Stinger. A shoulder-fired, “fire-and-forget” surface-to-air missile (MANPADS), Stinger put credible anti-air capability into the hands of small units and irregular forces alike. This article surveys its origins and development, how militaries employ it, where it’s been used, and the system’s enduring strengths and weaknesses—along with how production has been sustained amid renewed demand.

Origins and development

The Stinger traces back to the U.S. Army’s effort to replace the FIM-43 Redeye with an all-aspect, more resilient MANPADS. Work began in 1967 under the “Redeye II” concept; the program was redesignated FIM-92 “Stinger” in 1972. Following a turbulent test program in the 1970s, production of the FIM-92A started in 1978, and the first units achieved Initial Operational Capability in 1981. Subsequent variants added dual-band IR/UV seekers and, critically, a reprogrammable microprocessor (RMP) that let the missile’s logic be updated for new threats without replacing hardware (FIM-92C “RMP,” FIM-92E “RMP Block I,” later FIM-92J life-extension). 

What the Stinger is—and how it works

At its core, Stinger is a supersonic, shoulder-launched missile guided by a passive seeker that homes on a target’s heat/UV signature. The current U.S. employment handbook emphasizes several properties:

• Fire-and-forget guidance: Once the operator obtains lock and fires, the missile guides itself, letting the gunner move, take cover, or engage a second target.

• IR/negative-UV homing with modified proportional navigation: guidance tuned for low-altitude aircraft, helicopters, and (in later updates) small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).

• Organic IFF support: an interrogator and antenna integrated with the gripstock help reduce fratricide risk under rules of engagement.

• Tactical “planning range” of ~4 km (unclassified), with engagement geometry and target aspect strongly affecting outcomes.

• Battery-Coolant Unit (BCU) constraints: once a BCU is activated it provides power and seeker cooling for at most 45 seconds, after which it must be replaced.

These are not abstract brochure claims—they are baked into field planning, training, and logistics.

On the hardware side, the designation record summarizes performance figures and evolution across variants. A typical Stinger round weighs roughly 10 kg (missile) and ~15–16 kg for a ready-to-fire unit, accelerates to around Mach 2+, and uses a ~3 kg blast-fragmentation warhead with impact/proximity/self-destruct fuzing (the proximity mode becoming more important against drones). The system ceiling is commonly cited near 3.8 km, with effective range around 4–5 km depending on target and environment; RMP Block II (cancelled in production) would have pushed the kinematic envelope further. 

Employment: teams, vehicles, and networks

A Stinger “team” (two soldiers is common) can deploy dismounted or from vehicles. The weapon’s modularity lets it serve as the missile component on Avenger turrets (HMMWV-mounted), Linebacker/Bradley derivatives, and newer M-SHORAD Stryker configurations, augmenting the human gunner with sensors, cueing, and stabilized mounts. For planning, Army guidance stresses integrating Stinger with early-warning sensors, airspace control measures, and combined-arms maneuver, not just parking a gunner on a ridgeline.

Where the Stinger has been used

The system’s combat debut came swiftly in the 1980s, but it never left the stage. Highlights include:

• Soviet–Afghan War (1980s): Stinger’s arrival—widely associated with improved attrition of Soviet helicopters and attack aircraft—became a symbol of how portable air defense could blunt low-altitude air power. While narratives of “war-winning” effects are debated, authoritative technical histories still situate Stinger as “heavily used” in Afghanistan with hundreds of worldwide shoot-downs attributed to the type. 

• Post-Cold War through GWOT: U.S. and allied forces retained Stingers for point defense, convoy overwatch, and base defense, often via Avenger or mounted applications. (These roles expanded and contracted as threat perceptions shifted.)

• Ukraine (2022-present): Stinger was among the first air-defense systems transferred. By September 2024, the United States had provided over 2,000 Stinger missiles to Ukraine, and the system continues to feature in Ukraine’s layered SHORAD mix against helicopters, attack aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones. 

Strengths

Mobility and simplicity. A two-person team can move the weapon to where the fight is, with minimal logistics compared to radar-guided systems. For light infantry or dispersed territorial defense, that flexibility matters.

Fire-and-forget autonomy. Passive homing removes the need for illuminators or continuous guidance beams, reducing emissions and operator workload after launch.

All-aspect, multi-band seeker logic. Dual IR/UV sensing and reprogrammable processors (RMP) have kept Stinger viable against flares and background clutter—an ongoing “software war” against countermeasures. Upgrades like FIM-92J add proximity fuzing and refined logic for small, low-signature targets. 

Interoperability. From shoulder-launch to Avenger and M-SHORAD on Stryker, Stinger scales from pop-up ambush shots to networked, mobile air defense with cueing from radars and command networks. 

Proven combat record. Across decades and theaters, Stinger has repeatedly shown utility at the tactical edge, especially where larger systems can’t be everywhere at once. 

Weaknesses and limitations

Envelope constraints. Stinger is a short-range, line-of-sight system. With a planning range near 4 km and a ceiling around 3.8 km, fast jets at medium altitude or standoff munitions lie largely outside its sweet spot. Terrain masking can both help (ambush) and hinder (blocked sight lines).

Countermeasures. Modern aircraft bring flares, exhaust suppressors, flight profiles, and increasingly DIRCM (Directional Infrared Countermeasures). Army planning explicitly accounts for the “countermeasures environment” and the need to integrate sensors/cueing to maximize engagement quality. Even with IR/UV discrimination and updated software, sophisticated countermeasures stress MANPADS performance.

Time and power budget. The BCU hard limit—about 45 seconds of power/cooling per activation—adds pressure in high-tempo engagements and demands disciplined crew drills (don’t “burn” BCUs while waiting). Logistics must ensure sufficient BCUs alongside missile stocks.

Training and identification risk. Stinger includes an IFF subsystem, but IFF does not by itself authorize firing; rules of engagement and positive identification remain critical, especially in cluttered airspace with friendly UAS and coalition aviation. 

Aging inventory and obsolescence risk. After the U.S. last accepted new Stingers in 2005, parts obsolescence and atrophied production capacity became issues—until recent wars renewed demand. (See “Production and sustainment,” below.)

Tactics and use on today’s battlefield

Modern doctrine treats Stinger as part of a layered air-defense ecosystem rather than a silver bullet. A few practical patterns:

• Ambush and area denial: Teams choose positions with good fields of view and short decision loops (observer-gunner pair, radio cueing). Short-range drones can be engaged with proximity-fuzed rounds or, in vehicle mounts, with integrated guns/sensors.

• Mobility with maneuver forces: On M-SHORAD Strykers or Avengers, Stingers provide moving bubbles of protection for armored/mechanized units, especially against helicopters, loitering munitions, and low flyers. 

• Cueing and command-and-control: Early warning from radars and airspace control nets matters—giving gunners seconds they won’t otherwise have to power BCUs, gain lock, and achieve a valid shot.

Production and sustainment: from “warm line” to multinational demand

The full-scale return of state-on-state conflict highlighted a dilemma: Western nations had drawn down stocks and allowed production lines to cool. In May 2022, the U.S. Army awarded Raytheon a $624.6 million contract modification for Stinger missiles and gear, the first major buy for new rounds in years, with deliveries projected into 2026. The award notice is explicit about the Stinger procurement and timelines. 

Demand is not just American. In July 2024, NATO’s procurement agency placed a nearly $700 million multinational order for Stinger missiles—an RTX (Raytheon) spokesman told Reuters the buy would keep the production line running through 2029. That order reflects both Ukraine’s consumption and allied recapitalization as European states rebuild short-range air-defense capacity. 

CRS analysis of U.S. defense production for Ukraine provides useful context: the United States had transferred more than 2,000 Stingers to Ukraine as of September 2024, while Army and industry worked through obsolescent parts and workforce gaps to restart production of a Cold War-era missile for twenty-first-century threats. 

Bottom line

The Stinger endures because it solves a timeless tactical problem: how to give small units a credible, mobile, immediately available answer to low-altitude air threats. Its strengths—mobility, autonomy, multi-band seeker logic, and interoperability—are balanced by weaknesses inherent to short-range, passive homing systems operating against modern countermeasures. In Ukraine and elsewhere, Stinger is no panacea; it is one indispensable layer. As allies recapitalize stocks and industry warms production back up, expect Stinger (and its successors) to remain a fixture of SHORAD doctrine—especially where drones and helicopters menace troops at the edge of the fight. 

References (APA)

Congressional Research Service. (2024, September 16). Defense production for Ukraine: Background and issues for Congress (R48182). https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R48182.html (EveryCRSReport)

Parsch, A. (2024, December 15). Raytheon (General Dynamics) FIM-92 Stinger. Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. https://designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-92.html (designation-systems.net)

Reuters. (2024, July 9). NATO agency places $700 mln order for Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/nato-agency-places-700-mln-order-stinger-anti-aircraft-missiles-2024-07-09/ (Reuters)

U.S. Army, Center for Army Lessons Learned. (2018). Maneuver Leader’s Guide to Stinger (CALL Handbook 18-16). https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2023/01/19/18849503/18-16-maneuver-leaders-guide-to-stinger-handbook-apr-18-public.pdf

U.S. Department of Defense. (2022, May 27). Contracts for May 27, 2022 (Raytheon—Stinger missiles). https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3046664/ (U.S. Department of Defense)

Note: All sources are publicly accessible and verifiable as of August 27, 2025.

Navy Reservist Achieves Dream of Becoming an NFL Cheerleader

Aug. 25, 2025 |

By Tyler Grimes, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville 

As the NFL prepares to launch another exciting season, one Navy Reserve sailor is preparing for her own big debut.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexis Gloster, a logistics specialist assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville, Florida, will step onto the sidelines this year as one of the newest members of the Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleading squad.

For Gloster, the accomplishment represents the fulfillment of a lifelong dream — one she has worked toward while balancing the demands of military service.

"After serving five years on active duty, I wanted the flexibility to pursue other dreams while still serving my country," said Gloster, who has now served a total of nine years in the Navy. "The Navy Reserve has given me the best of both worlds — remaining part of something bigger than myself while continuing to grow personally and professionally."

One of those dreams was professional cheerleading.

"I've loved performing and cheerleading for as long as I can remember," she said. "Becoming an NFL cheerleader was a way to share that passion on a huge stage while also making a positive impact in the community."

Earlier this year, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native auditioned for the Jaguars cheer squad. The process was rigorous, stretching across multiple rounds and lasting two weeks.

"We had to learn and perform choreography under pressure, complete an interview and stand out among more than 300 candidates," she recalled. "It really pushed me to be the best version of myself every single day. When I was selected, it made the moment even more special. It was intense but so rewarding."

Now, with the NFL preseason underway, Gloster is focused on balancing her Navy Reserve duties with the commitments of cheerleading on a national stage.

"It's definitely a balancing act, but the discipline and time management I've learned in the Navy help me stay on top of both," she said. "When you love what you're doing in both worlds, it makes the hard work worth it."

For Gloster, her role with the Jaguars is about more than performing in front of thousands of fans on Sundays.

"It's bigger than the field — it's about inspiring others, representing an incredible organization and connecting with people in meaningful ways," she said. "I feel so proud to wear both uniforms, the Navy's and the Jaguars'. They represent two very different worlds, but both are built on teamwork, dedication and heart."

Capt. Roger Dubé, Navy Reserve NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville commanding officer, said Gloster's role as a professional cheerleader could help with the Navy's recruiting efforts and set a good example for other Navy reservists to pursue their dreams.

"[She] is one of our unit's hard-chargers and also serves as our command fitness leader," Dubé said. "She is humble about her achievements as I was unaware of her selection as a professional cheerleader. We're looking forward to seeing her lead the games' crowds with her vibrant smile and energy."

As she looks ahead to her first season as an NFL cheerleader while continuing to serve in the Navy, Gloster hopes her story will motivate others to keep reaching for their goals.

"I hope my story shows others that you don't have to choose just one dream — you can chase them all," she said.

Guard Members Partner With Local Authorities to Render Life-Saving Aid in Multiple Incidents

 

Aug. 26, 2025 

By Army Master Sgt. Whitney Hughes  

"It was chaotic — people were running and screaming," said Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Graham, a member of the South Carolina National Guard assigned to the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Joint Task Force District of Columbia.

Moments earlier, a man had been struck by a train and thrown across a Washington Metro station platform in Washington, Aug. 20. Graham and his fellow soldiers, all members of the 4th Battalion, 118 Infantry Regiment, immediately secured the scene, called 911 and assisted first responders in rendering first aid, ultimately reviving the man to the point that he was conscious and moving when EMTs transported him.

"Everybody was panicking but able to keep a clear head and make the phone call to 911 to get an ambulance on the way," said Army Spc. Nicholas Garrison, who was on patrol with Graham at the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station. "Our presence was important for getting him help as quickly as possible."

This was one of several life-threatening incidents in the past week where members of the task force were first on the scene to provide aid to local citizens and assist local authorities.

In an event at Union Station, two D.C. Army National Guard military police officers were conducting a joint patrol with the Amtrak Police Department, Aug. 15, when they encountered an unconscious man.

Army Sgt. Jay Whited, a team leader assigned to the 372nd Military Police Battalion, said the man appeared to have fainted and did not look well. They resuscitated him and contacted emergency services. Whited said the police suspected the man was experiencing a narcotic overdose and asked the guard members to help secure the scene while they administered naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects of opiates.

"We are pretty uniquely positioned here, like all National Guard units, but even more so because it's D.C. and it's so small," he said. "We are uniquely experienced as well, and we integrate with local agencies well because we have done it so many times."

In addition to the metro incidents, guard members intervened during the assault of a U.S. Park Police officer, alerted the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to a man brandishing a knife and making verbal threats at the Waterfront Washington Metro station and helped the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration locate a missing child in southwest Washington.

Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, stated that approximately 2,000 guard members are supporting the task force and providing critical assistance to local law enforcement officers. 

"The members of the District of Columbia National Guard are highly trained and capable of assisting our interagency partners to keep our district safe," he said.

The History of Helicopter Use by the United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has a long and distinguished history of employing helicopters to support its vital missions of search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, homeland security, and environmental protection. Since the mid-20th century, helicopters have become an indispensable tool for the Coast Guard, allowing rapid response in treacherous conditions where other means of transportation often prove inadequate. The evolution of helicopter operations within the USCG reflects advancements in aviation technology and the increasing complexity of maritime safety and security.

Early Development and World War II Origins

The Coast Guard’s exploration of helicopter use began during World War II, spurred by the need for more effective search and rescue capabilities, especially in the vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean where German U-boats threatened Allied shipping. Recognizing the potential of rotary-wing aircraft, the Coast Guard collaborated with helicopter pioneers such as Igor Sikorsky. In 1943, the Coast Guard commissioned its first helicopters, the Sikorsky HNS-1, also known as the XR-4, marking the beginning of helicopter operations within the service.

The HNS-1 proved instrumental in demonstrating the potential of helicopters for maritime rescue, especially in areas where fixed-wing aircraft and ships faced limitations. Coast Guard pilots quickly adapted to the unique flight characteristics of these early helicopters, laying the foundation for the service’s expanding aviation capabilities.

Post-War Expansion and the Birth of Air-Sea Rescue

Following World War II, the United States Coast Guard solidified its role as a leader in air-sea rescue operations. The service recognized that helicopters could significantly reduce response times to maritime emergencies, particularly in remote or hazardous locations. Throughout the late 1940s and 1950s, the USCG expanded its helicopter fleet, acquiring more capable aircraft such as the Sikorsky HO3S-1 and the Sikorsky HO4S.

These helicopters provided improved range, payload capacity, and reliability, allowing the Coast Guard to establish dedicated air stations along the nation’s coastlines. Notably, the integration of rescue hoists enabled crews to extract survivors from ships, life rafts, or dangerous surf zones without the need to land—a critical capability that remains central to USCG helicopter operations today.

The Jet Age and Modernization: 1960s–1980s

The 1960s and 1970s marked significant advancements in helicopter technology and the Coast Guard’s operational reach. The introduction of turbine-powered helicopters, such as the Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard, revolutionized the service’s capabilities. The HH-52A, often regarded as one of the most iconic USCG aircraft, offered exceptional range, speed, and reliability compared to its piston-engine predecessors.

Equipped with amphibious landing gear and a powerful rescue hoist, the HH-52A became the workhorse of Coast Guard air stations across the country. During its operational tenure, the HH-52A is credited with saving more than 15,000 lives, a testament to the critical role helicopters play in maritime rescue.

The period also saw the Coast Guard responding to evolving mission requirements, including increased focus on drug interdiction and environmental protection. Helicopters proved vital for deploying boarding teams to vessels suspected of smuggling and for monitoring oil spills or other maritime hazards.

The Era of Advanced Rotary-Wing Aircraft: 1990s–Present

In the 1990s and early 21st century, the Coast Guard introduced a new generation of advanced helicopters to meet growing operational demands. The Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk and the Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin became mainstays of the USCG’s rotary-wing fleet, offering enhanced speed, range, avionics, and all-weather capabilities.

The HH-60J Jayhawk, based on the U.S. Navy’s SH-60 Seahawk, provides long-range search and rescue, law enforcement, and homeland security support. Its ability to operate offshore for extended periods makes it particularly suited to the vast and often unforgiving maritime environments the Coast Guard patrols.

Meanwhile, the HH-65 Dolphin, a smaller, more agile aircraft, is widely used for short-range missions, especially in urban coastal areas and aboard Coast Guard cutters. Over the years, the Dolphin has undergone significant upgrades, leading to the current MH-65E variant with modernized avionics, enhanced safety features, and improved performance.

Helicopters in Modern Coast Guard Missions

Today, helicopters remain at the forefront of the Coast Guard’s multi-mission mandate. From rescuing stranded mariners in hurricane conditions to interdicting drug smugglers in the Caribbean, rotary-wing aircraft provide unmatched flexibility and speed. During high-profile disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Coast Guard helicopters were instrumental in rescuing thousands of individuals from flooded homes, rooftops, and dangerous waters.

Additionally, helicopters support polar operations, deploying to the Arctic and Antarctic aboard USCG icebreakers, and play a critical role in homeland security, patrolling harbors, offshore energy infrastructure, and key waterways.

Conclusion

The history of helicopter use by the United States Coast Guard reflects both technological innovation and an unwavering commitment to saving lives and protecting the maritime domain. From the pioneering days of the HNS-1 to the modern fleet of Jayhawks and Dolphins, helicopters have transformed how the Coast Guard fulfills its missions. As challenges at sea evolve, helicopters will undoubtedly continue to play an essential role in ensuring the safety, security, and stewardship of the nation’s waters.

Guardians of the Coast: Inside U.S. Coast Guard Operations

For more than two centuries, the United States Coast Guard has stood watch over America’s maritime interests, combining military readiness, law enforcement, search and rescue, and environmental protection into one unique and vital mission set. With over 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline and vast stretches of open water under their watch, Coast Guard personnel operate around the clock to safeguard lives, protect natural resources, and secure the nation’s maritime borders.

A Dual Mission: Military and Civilian Roles

Unlike other military branches, the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime but can be transferred to the Department of the Navy during wartime. This flexibility allows the Coast Guard to seamlessly balance both civilian and military responsibilities.

Their primary missions include:

• Search and Rescue (SAR): Perhaps the most well-known mission, Coast Guard crews respond to thousands of distress calls every year, rescuing mariners from treacherous conditions, stranded vessels, and life-threatening situations.

• Maritime Law Enforcement: From combating drug smuggling and illegal fishing to enforcing maritime laws, the Coast Guard patrols U.S. waters to ensure safety and compliance.

• Port and Coastal Security: The Coast Guard plays a critical role in securing the nation's ports and waterways, preventing terrorist attacks, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

• Environmental Protection: Coast Guard units respond to oil spills, pollution incidents, and other environmental hazards, working to preserve fragile marine ecosystems.

• Icebreaking and Arctic Operations: With growing interest in Arctic resources and shipping lanes, the Coast Guard’s fleet of icebreakers maintains year-round access to polar regions.

• Aids to Navigation (ATON): The Coast Guard maintains over 50,000 navigational aids, including buoys and beacons, ensuring safe passage for commercial and recreational vessels.

Tools of the Trade: Coast Guard Assets

The Coast Guard operates a wide range of vessels and aircraft to support its diverse missions, including:

• Cutters: Large ships capable of operating in open ocean and coastal environments.

• Fast Response Cutters (FRCs): Highly maneuverable vessels used for law enforcement and SAR operations.

• Response Boats: Smaller, agile boats ideal for rapid response close to shore.

• Helicopters: Aircraft like the MH-60 Jayhawk and MH-65 Dolphin conduct SAR, surveillance, and interdiction missions.

• Fixed-Wing Aircraft: Planes such as the HC-130 Hercules provide long-range surveillance and transport capabilities.

Everyday Heroes on the Water

From the icy waters off Alaska to hurricane-stricken coasts in the Gulf of Mexico, Coast Guard crews risk their lives daily to protect others. Their motto, "Semper Paratus"—Always Ready, reflects a culture of constant vigilance, rigorous training, and unwavering commitment.

Recent operations include:

• Interdicting narcotics shipments in the Eastern Pacific.

• Rescuing mariners from storms off the Atlantic coast.

• Coordinating disaster response after hurricanes and floods.

• Breaking ice to keep Arctic shipping lanes open.

Conclusion: The Quiet Force that Never Sleeps

While their actions often unfold far from public view, the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard play a critical role in national security, public safety, and environmental protection. Whether braving stormy seas, patrolling for threats, or lending a hand to those in peril, the Coast Guard remains an indispensable guardian of America's maritime frontiers.