Coast Guard Participates in Panama Canal Counter-Threat Exercise

Aug. 5, 2026 | By Cameron Porter, U.S. Southern Command |

Panama's National Aeronaval Service welcomed key leaders from Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and the United States during the pre-sail conference for Exercise Panamax 2026, Aug. 3.

The biennial exercise is one of the largest military exercises in the Western Hemisphere. This year's iteration will continue until Aug. 13 and includes six maritime vessels operating in the Eastern Pacific region as part of the Pacific Task Force: the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Robert Ward, the Panamanian coastal patrol boat Panquiaco and coastal patrol boat Taboga, the Colombian navy coastal patrol vessel Isla Gorgona, the Ecuadorian navy missile corvette Bae Loja and the Mexican navy offshore patrol vessel Arm Jalisco.

"Major prerequisites to achieving this objective include practicing our ability to transit offshore in company, to communicate effectively to each other and shore command, and to perform complex missions in an integrated manner," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Patrick Frost, Coast Guard Southwest District deputy chief of enforcement.

Frost, who is serving as the Pacific Task Force commander, said Panamax 2026 includes 19 countries and is critical because it allows the partner nations to practice functions necessary to protect the canal.

To facilitate this proficiency, exercise participants will conduct various training scenarios designed to unite the coalition as they exercise joint communications, maneuvers and tactics.

During the pre-sail conference, Panamanian maritime officials welcomed the command teams of the four visiting ships.

"Today, in this 2026 edition of Panamax, we confirm our commitment to a broader and even more adapted vision of the threats that we have in the 21st century," said Panamanian Lt. Cmdr. Eduardo Batista, acting commander of Panama's National Aeronaval Service's naval command. "This exercise constitutes an opportunity, with great value, to strengthen the interoperability of our forces, to improve our operational procedures and to elevate our capacity to respond in the face of transnational threats and cyberspace challenges."

Frost highlighted the importance of the regional partners, as they are allies in the fight against cartels across the Western Hemisphere.

"These partner nations are clearly demonstrating a rock-solid commitment to this multinational concept, and the collaboration between the various country representatives is significant," he said.

Panamax began with three countries in 2003 to improve interoperability and strengthen collective capacity to conduct complex multinational and all-domain operations to ensure the free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal and maintain security and stability in the region.

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.

USS Minnesota Completes First Forward-Deployment

July 31, 2026 | By Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 |

The submarine USS Minnesota returned to its home port at Naval Base Guam July 29, after completing its first deployment since becoming the Navy's first forward-deployed submarine.

"[The] Minnesota's return marks a significant milestone for the Pacific submarine force and demonstrates the Navy's ability to sustain and employ advanced Virginia-class capabilities in the Pacific," said Navy Capt. Christopher Carter, Submarine Squadron 15 commander. "Operating from Guam, this crew demonstrated the readiness, endurance and advanced capabilities the Virginia-class platform brings to the strategic outpost in the Western Pacific." 
 
The Minnesota participated in the multinational Exercise Valiant Shield 26 and made port visits to Okinawa and Sasebo, Japan. The Okinawa visit demonstrated the Navy's ability to sustain undersea capabilities at a variety of locations throughout the Pacific region. 

"This homecoming marks the successful completion of [the] Minnesota's first deployment from Guam," said Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Cornielle, USS Minnesota commander. "The crew performed superbly while executing missions vital to the defense of the homeland and strengthening our alliances and partnerships.

"The experience they gained operating throughout the Western Pacific will shape [the] Minnesota's continued success for years to come," he continued. "I am proud of every sailor and deeply grateful to our families, whose strength and support made this deployment possible." 

 
During the deployment, two officers and 20 enlisted sailors earned their submarine warfare insignia. The insignia signifies qualification to operate at the highest standards of the undersea force and reflects mastery of submarine systems, watch stations and mission execution. 
 
"The sailors aboard [the] Minnesota represented the Navy with pride and professionalism, no matter the task," said Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Joshua Garrett, the Minnesota's chief of the boat. "Every time a challenge stood before them, they answered the call with discipline, character and an unwavering commitment to one another. Their readiness and effectiveness were evident throughout this deployment, and I could not be prouder of what this crew accomplished." 
 
The homecoming included the Navy's traditional first kiss and first hug, awarded to Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Salazar and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jaccor Blakley, respectively. 

 
Since arriving in Guam November 2024, the USS Minnesota has visited Western Australia, where the crew conducted at-sea operations in support of the Submarine Command Course and participated in Exercise Lungfish, a tactical development exercise between the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

The ship also visited Darwin, Australia, in support of bilateral engagements. These accomplishments add to the Minnesota's growing list of milestones and demonstrate its ability to deliver credible combat power from a forward-deployed location in the Pacific.

Hegseth: Department Success Buoyed by Courage, Spirit, Leadership

July 31, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

The War Department has had a lot of success in the past 19 months, said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. And that's in no small part due to the dedication and training of the men and women in uniform who form the heart of the U.S. military.

But underwriting that success is presidential leadership from the very top, Hegseth told President Donald J. Trump today during a cabinet meeting at Camp David in Maryland.

"It's great Americans here and all around the country, and all around the world, who are the core of what keeps us safe," Hegseth said. "But in order to do that, you have to have a leader that's willing to put them in a position to do it."

The secretary listed three things Trump provides that make success possible for American warfighters: courage, a mandate to restore the warrior spirit and a generational investment in making the U.S. military the best it can be.

"I think people miss ... the courage it takes to seal the border, to say we're going to do it, and we're going to do it every single day, and we're going to do it on behalf of the American people," Hegseth said.

Since January 2025, American troops from all services, and with various skills, have been working first to gain and then maintain 100% operational control of America's southern border and to stop both drug traffickers and the flow of illegal immigration.

"[It takes] courage to bomb the Houthis and say we will maintain freedom of navigation," Hegseth said. "If you wonder why they're not involved in this conflict [in Iran], even though they're a proxy of Iran, it's because they've felt the weight of American power for 45 days, and you had the courage to do that."

In the Red Sea, Iran-backed Houthi forces had been attacking U.S. ships and those of other nations for years, disrupting legal commerce for all. In March 2025, the U.S. took steps to put an end to those attacks during Operation Rough Rider, when U.S. Central Command, at the direction of the president, began a series of attacks at key terrorist Houthi targets in Yemen. Two months later, the president announced that the Houthis agreed to a ceasefire.

Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 mission to obliterate Iran's nuclear capability, also resulted in a ceasefire of the 12-day war, Hegseth noted, calling it a bold move no other president had dared to do.

"Other presidents had the option on their table to do [that], but they never pulled the trigger because of the complications, because of the challenges, because of the risk," he said. "Courage."

The secretary also cited presidential leadership and a willingness to take risks as key enablers for stopping the flow of illegal drugs in the Caribbean, the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as part of Operation Absolute Resolve and the willingness to undertake the significant Operation Epic Fury, to ensure the Iranian regime will never have a nuclear weapon.

Embolden Spirit

The secretary also credited the president with reinvigorating the spirit of the U.S. armed forces by providing a mandate to eliminate distractions in the force and refocus the warfighter on lethality, meritocracy, accountability, readiness and standards.

"You talk about spirit all the time, and you're right to do so," Hegseth told Trump. "When you rip out [diversity, equity and inclusion], when you rip out social engineering and social justice, and you put in merit; and then you untie the hands of commanders to be commanders, to enforce discipline and accountability, to get back to basics, then you get historic reenlistment inside our ranks."

The secretary said that reinvigorated spirit has caught on across the nation and ignited an interest in serving, adding that the U.S. military is reaping the benefits through increased enlistments and retention.

"Our best people ... are staying, because they want to be in that kind of department," he said. "And then [there is] the historic recruitment record amongst young Americans. Every month our department breaks records."

Investing in Now, Future

This year, the president has asked for $1.5 trillion to fund the U.S. military. However, Hegseth said it's not going to be business as usual for how that money will be spent, noting that Deputy Secretary of War Steve Feinberg will be responsible for ensuring the money is spent in a way that truly strengthens the department.

"This is a businessman in charge; this is the deputy secretary of our department, who's a turnaround guy, just like the president is — saying we will not fund ... the department the way we have in the past," Hegseth said.

In addition to funding, the secretary highlighted recent efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base, including being a better customer, which has resulted in America's industry partners reinvesting in themselves, ultimately driving down costs to the department.

"[There is] $75 billion in private investment from defense companies that are now investing in new plants, new equipment and new assembly lines, to build the munitions of the future faster than ever possible," the secretary told the president. "That's saving taxpayer dollars because the companies themselves are investing — the arsenal of freedom would never happen without you."

Face of Defense: Marine Caps Full-Circle Journey With Instructor of Year Honor

July 31, 2026 | By Austen McClain, Naval Education and Training Command |

Marine Corps Sgt. Kade Prentice walked into a Portland, Oregon, recruiting office looking for a fresh start. Six years later, he stands at the head of a classroom at Naval Air Station North Island, California, in the same schoolhouse where he trained as a young Marine. Today, he teaches the next generation of technicians who keep Navy and Marine Corps aviation in the fight.

Marine Corps Sgt. Kade Prentice

Job: Aviation Support Equipment Instructor and Course Supervisor

Stationed: Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Unit: Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit

Hometown: Happy Valley, Ore.

Prentice is an instructor and course supervisor at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island, a subordinate unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training and a learning center of Naval Education and Training Command.  

In fiscal year 2025, he was named the CNATT domain's Junior Instructor of the Year. The award caps a career that began in NETC's training pipeline, took him from a Marine aviation logistics squadron to a deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and brought him back to the schoolhouse where his own technical training began. 

From Happy Valley to the Pipeline

Prentice grew up in Happy Valley, Oregon, and graduated from Clackamas High School. He started college, but the math on a four-year degree did not add up. 

"I realized what continuing my education would cost, and I had always wanted to serve," he said. "I figured this was a good time to join the military and keep working on my education while I was in." 

His path to the recruiting office took longer than most, but the calculus was simple. 

"It was either take out the loans to finish my four-year degree or find a way to start my life," Prentice said. "Looking back on it, it felt like a no-brainer." 

In December 2019, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. After boot camp came Marine combat training at Camp Pendleton, California; the Aviation Support Equipment "A" school at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida; and the "C" school at CNATTU North Island, the same courses he now teaches. In February 2021, with the NETC pipeline behind him, he checked in to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, where he advanced to work center supervisor and earned qualifications as a production controller and full-systems collateral duty inspector. 

Tested at Sea

In December 2022, Prentice joined the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan and the amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde. He served first as a work center supervisor aboard the Bataan before taking over as the support equipment noncommissioned officer in charge aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Mesa Verde. The Marine Corps promoted him to sergeant in January 2024.

Prentice credited the technical foundation he built in NETC schoolhouses with preparing him for the demands of deployment. His operational experience later inspired him to return to the classroom as an instructor. 

"Serving in these high-tempo operational environments highlighted the critical need for expertly trained Marines, which ultimately inspired my transition from the fleet to the classroom in August 2024," Prentice said. 

Back to the Schoolhouse

That August, Prentice received orders to CNATTU North Island, the same schoolhouse he briefly attended as a student four years earlier. Within months, he was selected as a course supervisor, and by the end of the fiscal year, he had earned Junior Instructor of the Quarter and, ultimately, fiscal year 2025 Junior Instructor of the Year for the CNATT domain. 

The hardest part of being a Marine, he said, was never the technical material. 

"I was an awkward kid growing up. It was hard to stand in front of people and tell them what needed to be done," Prentice said. "I was not a leader before I joined, but I have grown into the role exponentially."

We as Marines are constantly told we have to hold a higher standard, and it gets ingrained into you. We are all individuals in the Marine Corps, but we all hold the title of Marine, and that is what binds us together. You just have to figure out what works for you in order to exemplify the title that you have earned."

Marine Corps Sgt. Kade Prentice

Prentice sees his job as building both the technical foundation and the confidence that makes it useful in the fleet. He recalled one junior Marine who arrived eager but was hesitant during practical applications. With extra time on the systems and targeted coaching, the change was hard to miss. 

"The initial awkwardness completely faded, replaced by a quiet, grounded confidence," Prentice said. "By the end of the course, not only had they mastered the technical expertise required for the fleet, but they were actively stepping up to assist their peers." 

Winning Junior Instructor of the Year is the proudest moment of Prentice's career, so far. It also serves as a reminder that the work he saw as routine was preparing Marines for the fleet. 

"Maybe what I feel is just a normal day is a lot more than that," Prentice said. 

He is about a year away from earning a bachelor's degree in business administration, and is weighing reenlistment, an officer package or a transition to the civilian sector. Prentice said NETC has given him the tools to succeed in any of those paths. 

"I have had a lot more days where I am so glad that I did this," he said, "than days where I am not."

U.S., U.K. Air Forces Conduct Fighter Weapons Certification During Exercise Combat Archer

July 30, 2026 | By Air Force Capt. Joshua Cassem, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa |

After two weeks of high-end, tactical air and missile training, Exercise Combat Archer U.K. 26 concluded July 24, with the combat certification of the U.S. Air Force's 492nd and 493rd Fighter Squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

Led by U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, alongside Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning fighter jets, the exercise paired an evaluation unit with active U.S. fighter squadrons to certify pilots and ground crews for combat operations.

The squadrons were supported by the 351st Aerial Refueling Squadron from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, and the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, which conducted the evaluation.

Exercise Combat Archer U.K. focused on air-to-air, weapons system evaluation training scenarios, ensuring high-end combat readiness for global operations. 

In accordance with chief of staff of the Air Force directives, operational units are required to certify in all aspects of air-to-air weapons system employment before executing real-world taskings. Exercises like Combat Archer further confirm Air Force units are postured and ready as a credible force to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment.

"Across the command we know we have pockets of lessons learned and exercising them together in a challenging environment, before the time of need, gives us a strategic advantage," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. "Exercises like Combat Archer U.K. 26 ensure tactical proficiency, readiness of our maintainers and operators and confidence in the weapon system."

During the exercise, ground crews and pilots gained valuable experience employing air-to-air missiles and aerial gun weapons. While maintenance personnel focused on building, loading and arming munitions onto aircraft, aircrew ground training focused on determining appropriate payloads for their assigned realistic combat scenarios. All training culminated in live fires where pilots executed weapons employment on airborne targets.

"It's a chance, in a controlled environment, for pilots to actually experience what live weapons employment looks like," said Air Force Capt. Thomas Holmes, 48th Fighter Wing project officer and 493rd Fighter Squadron pilot. "Exercises like Combat Archer U.K. really hone those air-to-air skills. There is no substitute for that kind of training."

The Royal Air Force F-35 fighter jets executed critical beyond-visual-range weapons scenarios, directly synchronizing allied tactics, techniques and procedures to forge deeper trust and operational confidence.

Specialized certification training like this ensures forces are ready, lethal and postured to safeguard against any threat to U.S. interests in Europe and around the globe. The exercise provided crucial data to system engineers, enabling them to improve aircraft and munition guidance systems for the Air Force.

The 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron evaluated both the ground and air components of weapons employment while simultaneously using traceable air-to-air missiles, enabling for detailed real-time telemetry data analysis. The integration of U.S. 4th- and 5th-generation fighter jets alongside Royal Air Force aircraft allowed forces to test their ability to provide and sustain combat operations in a realistic training environment alongside allies and partners. 

Walter Reed's Skull Base Team Performs Innovative Brain Surgery

July 30, 2026 | By Ann Brandstadter, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center |

For 15 years, Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Andy Archer lived with a relentless, everyday companion — a pounding headache. 

"I'd wake up with a headache and go to bed with a headache," Archer recalled.  

He chalked it up to severe allergies or sinus issues, relying on over-the-counter decongestants to get through his demanding days. 

For Archer, a former drill instructor at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, and a current flight line mechanic at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, pushing through the pain became part of his daily routine. But recently, Archer's vision began to blur. 

"I became nearsighted; it was bad," Archer said. "I thought I was getting old."  

He finally mentioned the chronic pain to his doctor, a provider with Marine Centered Medical Home New River. 

The doctor ordered an MRI that revealed a mass the size of a golf ball, measuring roughly 4.4 centimeters, sitting directly in front of his pituitary gland and pressing against his optic nerve.

Archer needed neurological care, and he needed it fast. It was suggested that he go to the premier medical hub for complex cases: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. 

At Walter Reed, Archer consulted with Army Lt. Col. Charles Miller, neurosurgeon, and Army Maj. J. Patel, anterior surgeon, both assigned to the hospital's skull base team. The specialized surgical team mapped out an innovative, minimally invasive procedure. 

The surgeons planned to extract the massive brain tumor entirely through Archer's nose.  

"Historically, most of these surgeries were done open, which is a much more challenging procedure for the patient," Patel said. "Today, if a tumor is the appropriate size and location, open surgery just isn't necessary. Through the nose, we get the best access and the best chance of complete removal." 

The procedure required a highly synchronized collaboration between two experts. Patel developed a plan to navigate the complex nasal anatomy and create a clear surgical pathway. Archer had a severely deviated septum, and Patel likened the fix to "removing the sheetrock but leaving the studs" so that the nose wouldn't collapse. 

Once the pathway was clear, Patel used an endoscopic camera to provide high-definition, close-up visualization on a surgical monitor. This allowed Miller the crucial two-handed freedom to dissect and extract the tumor safely. 

"If he needs to get to critical structures, I can drive the camera closer, so he has perfect visualization," Patel noted. "Dr. Miller takes on these complex cases when many surgeons wouldn't want to risk the complications or step out of their comfort zone. My skills in navigating the nasal approach are only useful because he is skilled enough to completely remove the tumor once we get there. Dr. Miller is very well equipped to do these surgeries. It is a true team effort." 

In July, the team successfully removed more than 99% of the benign mass. Still, a microscopic fraction of the tumor remained wrapped tightly behind Archer's optic nerve, that if removed, carried major risks. 

"You must ask, 'Is it worth giving the patient a stroke or permanently changing their perfect vision just to get that last millimeter?'" Patel said.  

Prioritizing the patient's health, the team decided to leave that final fraction, confident the tumor is highly unlikely to return. 

"The biggest thing was to get the tumor out safely," Patel said. "A minimally invasive approach through the nasal passages is more challenging and we are mindful that [the tumor] has to be in a certain spot to go through the nose." 

To complete the surgery, the team performed a reconstruction of the skull base, using a small graft taken from Archer's leg to seal the area.

Just two days after surgery, sitting in the surgical intensive care unit at Walter Reed, there were no visible signs that Archer had just undergone major brain surgery. 

Archer's vision had already started to clear, and while he was dealing with expected post-operative headaches and leg soreness from the graft, his spirits were high. He and his wife, Rebecca, have been blown away by the hospitality and professionalism of the hospital staff. 

"The care has been awesome," Archer said, giving special praise to the nurses, as well as the physical and occupational therapy teams. 

Rebecca echoed his sentiments, noting that the on-campus Navy Lodge provided a comfortable, supportive environment for their recovery process. 

For surgeons Miller and Patel, and the Walter Reed skull base team, Archer's remarkable outcome highlights a broader mission: ensuring military beneficiaries know that they do not need to look to the civilian sector for cutting-edge medical care. 

"I don't think anyone else in the Defense Health Agency has this kind of team performing these complex skull base surgeries," Patel said. "Our goal is to make sure providers know this capability exists, so patients have the best options. Most patients are happy to stay in military healthcare." 

Thanks to an observant Navy doctor, a collaborative surgical team and the innovative capabilities of Walter Reed, Archer's toughest battle appears to be behind him.

Freedom Haulers Initiative to Help Veterans Get Commercial Driver's Licenses, Better Jobs

 July 30, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

At the White House today, President Donald J. Trump announced the kickoff of the Freedom Haulers campaign, a new effort to help military veterans find good-paying jobs as commercial drivers following their military service by establishing a military-to-commercial driver's license pipeline.

"Under our brand-new ... Freedom Haulers initiative, any American who has driven a heavy truck for our military will automatically be eligible for a commercial driver's license — and it's good-paying jobs too," Trump said. "Any veteran with heavy vehicle experience from the military will now be eligible to skip redundant road tests to obtain a commercial driver's license."

The president said the initiative also helps military personnel with no truck driving experience get trained and licensed to drive commercial vehicles.

One element of Freedom Haulers is that drivers with two years of experience safely operating heavy military vehicles can obtain a commercial driver's license without taking the driving test. Previously, that option was available for only 12 months after leaving a qualifying military job. But now the window to take advantage of the waiver has been extended to 24 months. All states participate in this program, and more than 40,000 veterans have used this waiver.

Also, part of the Freedom Haulers campaign is the "Even Exchange" program, which exempts qualified military drivers from the knowledge test required to obtain a commercial driver's license. This program applies to Army motor transport operators, fuelers and Patriot launching station operators; Marine Corps motor vehicle operators; Navy equipment operators; and Air Force vehicle operators, fuelers, and pavement and construction equipment operators. Right now, 34 states participate in the initiative, but Trump said he thinks more states will soon follow.

"This is a big deal; we believe that all 50 states and Washington, D.C., should join us in supporting these great veterans. ... I think they're all going to be signing up," Trump said.

The White House, along with the departments of War, Labor, Transportation and Veterans Affairs, are involved in the effort.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explained how, under Freedom Haulers, military veterans will be exposed to great opportunities to find good-paying jobs following their military service.

"These are great-paying jobs; they're anywhere from $80 to $100,000-plus a year," Duffy said.

Without a program like Freedom Haulers, Duffy said, military veterans with the skills to do the work would have to retrain for a job they already performed for years in service to the nation.

"If Secretary [of War] Pete Hegseth thinks that you can drive a vehicle like this," Duffy said, pointing to a military combat vehicle on display at the White House, "[President] Donald Trump and Sean Duffy think that you can drive a vehicle like that," he said, pointing at a commercial big rig.

The aim of Freedom Haulers is to get veterans into good jobs and increase the number of veteran commercial drivers, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said.

"I can't think of anything else that says freedom more in our country than an open road truck and a veteran," Collins said. "Veterans [have] said one thing: when they raised their right hand, they pledged what others would not do. They said, 'I will go and do what others will not do.'"

Now, Collins said, the VA is putting veterans first by helping them get into the driver's seat with great after-service jobs.

"Let's put veterans in the seats, making jobs safer and better for all Americans as we go along," he said. "Veterans ... you proved once you can do it. I know for a fact you can do it every single day."

Collins said the GI Bill will cover up to 100% of commercial driver's license tuition at state- and agency-approved schools. And for veterans with service-connected disabilities, the Veterans Readiness and Employment program also fully funds training and assists with job placement.

"One in 10 of our truck drivers across the country are veterans already — one in 10," Collins said. "Why don't we make it two in 10? Why don't we get three in 10?"