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March 25, 2026

Defense News: Soldiers, families build connections with ODR trips

Source: United States Army

ASSISI, Italy – From the hilly streets of Assisi to the historic Basilica of St. Francis, U.S. Army Garrison Italy community members are finding that Outdoor Recreation (ODR) trips offer a bridge to Italian culture. A Feb.-28 excursion there allowed participants to witness a special event linked to the history of the Italy’s patron saint.

The trip was part of a broader MWR effort to connect Soldiers with Italian historical heritage, and the chance for participants to build community outside the gates.

“I had such great experiences that I continued to join their cultural events,” said Anna Demeter, a dental clinic employee, who began joining the ODR day trips because she was nervous about traveling alone.

“The guides are welcoming, the trips unique, and I found it to be a great way to meet people and develop friendships.”

ASSISI, Italy – Detail of the façade of the Upper Basilica in Assisi, a town nestled in the heart of the Umbrian Hills renowned as the birthplace of St. Francis. The basilica is a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
The basilica, which was begun in 1228, is built into the side of a hill and comprises two churches (known as the Upper Church and the Lower Church) and a crypt that preserves the remains of the patron saint of Italy. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider) VIEW ORIGINAL

This time, ODR picked Assisi, renowned as the birthplace of St. Francis and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, just during the period matching the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death, when thousands of pilgrims from all over the world had the opportunity to visit the basilica where his remains were on display to the public for the first time since his death.

ASSISI, Italy – View of the Sacro Convento, a Franciscan friary in Assisi, a town located in Umbria, a region in the heart of Italy renowned as the birthplace of St. Francis.
The convent and the basilica create a distinctive landmark to those approaching Assisi, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider) VIEW ORIGINAL

Demeter explained that the town was quite crowded, “but the good weather and camaraderie between people helped make it a great experience.”

Even though some of the religious sites were not all accessible due to the high influx of visitors, the trip still gave the chance to explore historical places from Roman and medieval periods with a local tour guide, followed by a lunch break for tasting food specialties and some free time to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings.

ASSISI, Italy – U.S. Army Garrison Italy community members visit Assisi, a town nestled in the heart of the Umbrian Hills. USAG Italy Outdoor Recreation (ODR) took participants to Assisi, as part of a broader MWR effort to connect Soldiers with Italian historical heritage, and offered the chance to witness a special event linked to the history of St. Francis, Italy’s patron saint. The day trip took place Feb. 28, 2026, just during the period matching the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death, when thousands of pilgrims from all over the world had the opportunity to visit the basilica where his remains were on display to the public for the first time since his death. (Photo Credit: Laura Kreider) VIEW ORIGINAL

Beyond the history, the convenience of the trip stood out to Spc. Kelvin Rios, from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. He highlighted that ODR coordinates transportation and takes people to places that are hard to reach, while they can relax, enjoy the views and interact with others.

“At ODR trips I have been able to meet and connect with members of the community and, most importantly, feel part of it,” said Rios.

“This is a good way to take your family on a day trip, whether it be in Italy or surrounding countries, cultural or adventurous, everything is taken care for you, while you get to laugh and have a great time with your loved ones, especially your children,” he added.

“Thanks to ODR, I have been able to see not only Cinque Terre, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lago di Braies, Nice and today, Assisi, but also be certified as a ProfessionalBaristain Italy.”

For the warmer seasons, Vicenza Outdoor Recreation is planning to reach many sightseeing locations from coasts to mountain peaks, beaches and unique hamlets.

“There are more upcoming trips, like Cinque Terre, the five villages on the Ligurian Riviera, Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, and the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps,” said Lucia Savio, one of the ODR tour leaders, who assisted the Assisi day trip.

For joining trips like this and more, register with ODR in person or by calling 0444-71-4900.

March 25, 2026

Defense News: Readout of Assistant Secretary of the Army Jordan Gillis’ Participation in Hawai‘i Military Lands Discussion

Source: United States Army

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HONOLULU —The Honorable Jordan Gillis, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy, and environment, participated in the Hawai‘i Military Lands Discussion hosted by the Hawai‘i Coordination Cell (HCC) on March 23, 2026, at the Ala Moana Hotel.

The event brought together 150 participants, including community advocates, activists, military officials, business leaders, and policymakers, to discuss military land use in Hawai‘i. Topics ranged from land return and restoration to unexploded ordnance and environmental impact processes.

Gillis emphasized the Army’s commitment to transparency, responsible land management, and sustained dialogue with the people of Hawai‘i. He highlighted the importance of balancing military readiness in the Indo-Pacific with community priorities and environmental stewardship.

Representatives from U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) and U.S. Army Garrison Hawai‘i (USAG-HI) also participated, including Col. Rachel Sullivan, garrison commander for Hawai‘i, and Lt. Col. Tim Alvarado, commander of U.S. Army Garrison – Pōhakuloa Training Area. Army leaders engaged actively during breakout sessions and on breaks, discussing matters like the Army’s active-duty and National Guard support during the recent Kona Storm flooding and explaining the process for officially requesting such support in the future.

The event featured plenary sessions, breakout discussions, and an information exchange with military departments and community organizations. Participants provided feedback that will help shape future discussions on military land leases across the state.

The Hawai‘i Coordination Cell, established within the Department of War, convened the event to foster community engagement as long-standing military land leases approach expiration.

March 24, 2026

Defense News: Wyoming Guard Expands Field Artillery with Rocket Training

Source: United States Army

CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. – The Wyoming National Guard expanded its field artillery capability by training Soldiers March 20 in one of the Army’s most in-demand roles, the 13M High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) crew member.

At the Regional Training Institute in Guernsey, Soldiers from across the force are attending a 13M MOS transition course, learning how to operate and support one of the Army’s most lethal and mobile weapon systems. The course prepares experienced Soldiers from other career fields to serve on HIMARS crews.

“This course enables Soldiers who are already trained in another specialty to become qualified HIMARS crew members,” said Capt. Matthew Buchanan, operations officer and officer in charge at the RTI. “There’s a growing demand for this capability across the Army, and Wyoming is part of that growth.”

That demand is tied to how the Army is changing. HIMARS has proven its effectiveness in modern conflicts, increasing the need for long-range precision fires. As units expand, so does the need for trained crews, including within Wyoming’s 2nd Battalion, 300th Field Artillery Regiment.

“Every HIMARS battalion is growing,” Buchanan said. “We’re adding batteries, and that means we need more trained Soldiers. This course allows us to build that capability here at home.”

Students arrive with a wide range of experience. Many have spent years in other military occupational specialties before transitioning into field artillery.

“We encourage them to bring that experience with them,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larkey, of Riverton, Wyoming, lead instructor. “Every background adds something to the team, whether it’s maintenance, communications or logistics.”

The course blends classroom instruction with hands-on training. Soldiers learn system components, safety procedures and operational concepts before applying those skills in practical exercises.

“There’s a lot of information,” Larkey said. “But the goal isn’t to memorize everything. It’s to give them a foundation so they can continue learning when they get to their unit.”

Training builds toward a field training exercise where students operate as full HIMARS crews in a realistic environment.

“It’s about building confidence,” said Staff Sgt. Austin Paulsen, of Thermopolis, Wyoming, an instructor. “We want them to go back to their units, contribute immediately and keep improving.”

Beyond technical skills, leaders emphasize the mission’s purpose.

“HIMARS gives the Army the ability to reach targets at long distances and shape the battlefield,” Buchanan said. “When you’re part of that, you’re part of something bigger than yourself.”

As the Wyoming National Guard continues to grow its field artillery capability, the 13M transition course is preparing Soldiers for that mission.

Defense News: Presidio Endeavor sharpens Wisconsin National Guard readiness

Source: United States Army

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs hosted the National Guard’s Presidio Endeavor wargame at the Armed Forces Reserve Center, March 11-12.

The inaugural event brought together participants from the Wisconsin National Guard’s joint Army and Air staffs, Wisconsin Emergency Management, U.S. Northern Command and the National Guard Bureau.

Ryan Kennedy and John Griese, wargame designers and facilitators supporting the National Guard Bureau’s Wargaming and Analysis Branch, led the turn-based, scenario-driven event.

“Wargames like Presidio Endeavor are great idea generators,” said Griese. “They provide planners and commanders a low-risk forum in which they can try out new ideas and concepts.”

Griese noted that National Guard members are well-practiced in supporting civil authorities during natural disasters while also maintaining combat readiness.

“The Presidio Endeavor scenarios challenge their ability to handle these dual missions simultaneously, and over extended periods of time,” Griese said. “It forces a state’s joint force headquarters to sort out ways to mitigate risk, generate and sustain combat power, and potentially uncover opportunities in what I call the ‘state-strategic’ space.”

Primary participants representing 12 military and interagency functional areas occupied a main table, surrounded by a gallery of observers. Among them was Lt. Col. Orrin Viner, the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s deputy chief of staff for operations.

Viner described the wargame as an opportunity to test the organization’s decision-making processes and plans in a complex, high-stress scenario.

“Within this demanding fictional environment, our resources were stressed to the breaking point,” he said. “It allowed us to identify key points of friction requiring immense effort and senior leader decisions.”

Viner said conducting the event annually will help refine best practices and expand participation across the force.

The integration of Wisconsin Emergency Management’s Response Planning and Support Section supervisor, Drew Werner, added a multiagency coordination element to the scenarios.

“The single greatest benefit of WEM’s participation is gaining a comprehensive understanding of interagency expectations,” said Werner. “Specifically, how federal and state government, our military partners, and civil authorities expect to coordinate during mobilization, which directly informs and strengthens our planning efforts.”

Werner added that WEM also benefited from the opportunity to rehearse domestic operations procedures alongside the National Guard — procedures that were applied just three days later, when local Soldiers were mobilized during a severe blizzard to assist the Wisconsin State Patrol in reaching stranded motorists.

The Presidio Endeavor wargame concluded with a hot wash, allowing for in-depth discussion among facilitators, players and observers.

“The point with wargaming is presenting a scenario that gets people to think, act, react, then talk about the outcome and what they’d do next time to generate a different outcome,” said Griese. “It’s a really effective and useful visualization exercise and an activity that is as old as war itself.”