Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Army

USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – Leadership from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria and the Joint Multinational Readiness Center took time to honor the dedication of volunteers in the Hohenfels community during a ceremony April 14, 2026 at the Community Activity Center.

In numeric terms, the volunteers within U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria contributed a total of 63,346 volunteer hours in 2025, which, at an estimated value of $34 per hour, contributed $2.2 million of service to the community.

For the Hohenfels community, 141 volunteer gave 13,572 hours.

Angela Lane, deputy garrison manager at Hohenfels, conveyed to the audience the qualitative impact volunteers made to the community.

“When services are provided by our volunteers to support each organization, our Soldiers – warfighters – can focus on their mission, confidently knowing their Families will be cared for and supported,” said Angela Lane, deputy garrison manager for Hohenfels, said to the audience at the ceremony. “Through your selfless actions, you demonstrate the profound impact one person can have, which leads to motivating others to serve. You have created a domino effect of generosity, building a powerful culture of service that will be remembered for years to come.”

Seth Kloss, the director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation for the garrison, also spoke on the occasion.

“Through selfless dedication and honorable service, your efforts contribute to community cohesion and enhance the quality of life to those of us who surround you, our community, the Army and our country,” he said. “For all the awe-inspiring work you do to support USAG Bavaria, in the Hohenfels training area, we thank you.”

The volunteers contributed their time and efforts to several organizations (USO, the American Red Cross, the Hohenfels Community and Spouses Club, parent-teacher organizations, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, scouting organizations, Veterans of Foreign Wars), and these organizations in turn submitted nomination packets to Army Community Service for review. Volunteers are grouped into different categories – service members, civilians and retirees, and Family members. The packets are scrubbed of identities, and the panel members assess the strengths of the different volunteers and rank them.

During the ceremony, USAG Bavaria Command Sgt. Maj. James A. Boersma conferred certificates of appreciation to each volunteer nominee. After Boersma presented all the nominees in a particular category with their certificate, the master of ceremonies read the winner, who then received a plaque.

The winners of two different categories came from the same family. Sgt. Hunter Edstrom Fairbanks, a Soldier with B Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, earned Soldier volunteer of the year during the ceremony. His wife, Allicia Edstrom Fairbanks earned Family volunteer of the year.

Hunter volunteers with the Girl Scouts, the Hohenfels Community and Spouses Club, the Hohenfels Community Pantry and his company’s Soldier and Family Readiness Group. The HCSC nominated Hunter, who contributed to clubhouse maintenance, helped set up and set down special events, and coordinated Soldier volunteers for the club. He gave almost 200 hours of volunteer time.

Allicia was nominated by B Co.’s Soldier and Family Readiness Group, where she serves as the advisor and treasurer. She also volunteers with the Hohenfels Community and Spouses Club, she oversees the operations of the Hohenfels Community Pantry, and she helps with the hospitality programs of the local chapter of Protestant Women of the Chapel. Her volunteer time totaled 926.75 hours.

“I like to see the community thrive and what we can do for the community,” Allicia said during the reception after the ceremony. “But of course, getting a pat on the back never hurts.”

“Like her,” said Hunter, referring to Allicia’s answer, “I do not do it for recognition at all. I just – it feels good for me to do it every single day and help out the community.”

“With Hohenfels being so small, everybody knows everybody,” Allicia continued. “There’s always something you can do that – chances are – it’s going to make someone else’s experience or life easier or better, even if it’s the tiniest thing.”

The Edstrom-Fairbanks family, which includes a daughter who won for Family volunteer of the year the previous year, are returning to Fort Drum, New York in the U.S. this year.

Bellanira Stafford earned the title of civilian / retiree volunteer of the year. The HCSC nominated her for fulfilling multiple roles, as a second vice president, as a worker in the back of the Hohenfels Thrift Shop, as an organizer of the Fall Bazaar. The citation stated she “consistently demonstrated a positive, flexible, and service-driven mindset, reliably arriving prepared on time, and willing to assist wherever needed.” She dedicated 176 hours to the club and community.

“I was not expecting the recognition because when I sign up for volunteering, it’s coming from my heart,” Stafford said. “It’s my responsibility as a spouse, a veteran, retiree that served the country for 30 years.”

Originally from Whittier, California and arriving to Hohenfels from Fort Irwin, California, Stafford realized the benefits of volunteering are not limited merely to personal or community wellbeing; volunteering is also a valuable networking tool.

“It doesn’t matter whether you volunteer to the Red Cross, to the spouses club, to the thrift store, to the commissary,” she said. “When you find a way to contribute and give back, it feels so good.”

The nominees and winners from the ceremony are as follows:

Active-duty category:

• Winner: Sgt. Hunter Edstrom-Fairbanks, nominated by the Hohenfels Community and Spouses Club,
• Nominee: Pvt. Aidan Burke, nominated by B Co., 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, and
• Nominee: Staff Sgt. John Kortz, nominated by Child and Youth Services Youth Sports.

Civilian / retiree category:

• Nominee: Nicola Saunders, nominated by the Hohenfels Elementary School Parent Teacher Association, and
• Winner: Bellanira Stafford, nominated by the HCSC.

Family category:

• Nominee: Angel Casares, nominated by the Hohenfels Elementary School PTA,
• Winner: Allicia Edstrom-Fairbanks, nominated by the B Co., 1-4 IR, Soldier and Family Readiness Group,
• Nominee: Camille Kortz, nominated by the Hohenfels Girl Scouts,
• Nominee: Michaela Krum, nominated by the HCSC, and
• Nominee: Lauren Mills, nominated by the Hohenfels Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization.

For further photos from the event, visit the USAG Bavaria Flickr album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagbavaria/albums/72177720333117510.

Source: United States Army

VICENZA, Italy — Members of U.S. Army Garrison Italy welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Paluso as their new senior enlisted leader during an April 15 change of responsibility ceremony, while bidding farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno.

Col. Vaughn Strong, commander of USAG Italy, presided over the traditional passing of the colors at Caserma Ederle. The event drew distinguished guests, including local Italian officials, and senior military leaders, to honor the transition of leadership for the Army’s “home south of the Alps.”

“You poured your heart and soul into this community, and your dedication was clear in every corner of this garrison. Your leadership ensured that USAG Italy remains a premier place to live and work,” Strong said.

Moreno, an infantryman from Puerto Rico with nearly 30 years of service, was praised for his “Soldier-first” philosophy. During his tenure, he championed the “Best Barracks” initiative, a competition that encouraged units to take ownership of their living spaces. The program led to significant renovations, such as new day rooms and kitchens for local units.

Moreno also oversaw a period of unprecedented success for the Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers program. Under his guidance, USAG Italy’s BOSS teams earned back-to-back honors, including the 2025 Army-level BOSS Program of the Year for Camp Darby. Beyond the gates, Moreno served as a key link to the Italian community. He was a frequent fixture at local events, from the Fiera del Soco ribbon cuttings to the first Italian-American Friendly Baseball and Softball Tournament in Vicenza.

“As I prepare to pass the colors today, I do so with a full heart. A heart filled with pride for what we have accomplished. A heart filled with gratitude for the relationships we have built. And a heart filled with confidence in the future of this garrison,” Moreno said.

Paluso, a native of Gilroy, California, assumes responsibility after serving as the deputy commandant of the Henry Caro NCO Academy at Fort Moore, Georgia. A Ranger-qualified leader, Paluso brings extensive combat and instructional experience from tours in Iraq, Kosovo and Korea. Paluso now takes the lead of a garrison that provides support to thousands of soldiers, civilians and families across the Vicenza and Darby military communities.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Soldiers assigned to the 200th Cyber Protection Team, U.S. Army Cyber Protection Brigade partnered with cyber operations experts of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force at the Tanzania Peacekeeping Training Centre in Dar es Salaam, March 1-11, during Justified Accord 2026.

This subject matter expert exchange centered on honing defensive cyber operations expertise and strengthening regional cybersecurity capabilities.

Kenneth R. Gallifent, deputy team lead for the 200th CPT, said these collaborations help both forces improve their abilities to defend critical networks.

The engagement continued a growing series of cyber defense exchanges between the two nations, aimed at staying ahead of rapidly advancing technologies and maintaining readiness against ever‑evolving cyber threats.

“We covered tools used in cyber operations to detect malicious cyber activity, with the intent of helping partners strengthen their capability to identify and address threats,” Gallifent said.

Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), JA26 brought together military and civilian experts in Tanzania to increase technological interoperability and build partner capacity across multiple operational domains, including cyber.

Members of the 200th CPT shared tools and tradecraft used to identify malicious activity and strengthen network defense.

The exchange focused on sharing current cyber technologies and operational practices. Participants also tested cyber systems during the event and emphasized the importance of adapting to a rapidly evolving cyber environment while maintaining readiness with emerging technologies.

The 200th CPT primarily concentrates on defensive missions such as hunting adversaries in networks, supporting system hardening and clearing malicious cyber activity.

However, during JA26 the emphasis shifted toward cooperation, training and exchanging ideas with international partners. Gallifent highlighted SETAF-AF’s role in enabling this partnership and demonstrating the value of multinational cyber collaboration during the exercise.

Justified Accord highlights the value of working with partners and sharing technologies. These interactions are essential for building and strengthening multinational readiness to combat shared security issues.

“Cybersecurity is about protecting more than computers,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin Brown, a cyber operations technician assigned to the 200th CPT. “It’s about defending people, economies and national security.”

Brown emphasized that cyber operations are growing, as cyber is formally recognized one of the core warfighting domains along with land, air, sea and space, requiring continuous training and coordination between partners and allies.

Exercises like Justified Accord help participating nations rehearse cyber defense techniques, standardize processes and improve their collective abilities to respond to emerging threats. Defensive cyber operations subject matter experts have highlighted the growing importance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in shaping the future cyber environment.

By sharing tools, knowledge and best practices, these interactions support the efforts of U.S. Africa Command and SETAF-AF to increase readiness, strengthen partnerships across the continent, and enable partner-led security through innovation in cyber defense.

About Justified Accord:

Justified Accord increases multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance and crisis response, prepares regional partners for United Nations and African Union missions, and builds readiness for the U.S. joint force. Led by SETAF‑AF and hosted in Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania, Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa.

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

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