Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Army

When Nicoleta Panaite left her native Romania in 2014 with her son and a dream, she never could have imagined she’d be back in Army greens.

Now a U.S. Army Captain, Panaite serves as a physician’s assistant at U.S. Army Black Sea Joint Aid Station medical clinic, on a three-month rotation.

Her job is to keep Soldiers who arrive, on rotation, at Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, healthy and ready for their missions. It’s work that rarely makes headlines, but keeps soldiers resilient, ready for the fight.

“Medical readiness is constant and proactive,” she said. “It means not just providing care, but actively looking for ways to improve the health, readiness, and trust of the unit.”

Her workday goes beyond sick call. After treating patients, Panaite tracks readiness metrics, coordinates care across systems, advises command on medical trends, and follows up with soldiers after hours.

Capt. Panaite holds herself to the standard of preventing problems before they become issues. She educates leadership, flags patterns early, and closes gaps in medical readiness before they widen. That proactive mindset comes from her time in the Interservice Physician Assistant Program, one of the Army’s most rigorous medical training programs.

“It requires a lot of dedication, hard work, compromise, and discipline,” she said of IPAP.

After moving to the United States, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, in 2018 and was commissioned in 2020. Nothing about her path was less than intentional. One area she is interested in is behavioral health. As a primary care provider, she isn’t a specialist, but when a struggling soldier comes to her, she doesn’t just redirect them and move on.

“All I can do is try my very best to listen, ask questions, and comfort them,” she said.

She said her ability to move between two cultures that makes her feel at home here, also improves her job performance. As a Romanian-born, serving in the U.S. Army, Panaite’s background allows her to connect in ways few textbooks can teach. Where others might see cultural differences, she finds common ground with diverse patients, whether local nationals, or Soldiers who feel out of place. Her colleagues recognize this not as a novelty but as a strength.

“My background helps me communicate better, especially with diverse populations,” she said. “It’s become one of my biggest strengths in providing care.”

In a garrison where missions cross borders and the community is rich and varied, that skill matters. Small moments remind her of the full-circle nature of her journey. A conversation in Romanian with a local DFAC worker or a familiar phrase overheard in the hallway recalls her roots.

“They would make my day just by exchanging a few words,” she said. “I realized how much I missed conversing in Romanian.”

Her focus, however, remains the mission. When asked for the best advice she’s ever received, she didn’t quote someone else.

“Never quit and always stay humble, no matter the circumstances,” she said. “That’s my own advice — and yes, I still strongly believe in it.”

For the soldiers on rotation at USAG Black Sea, that philosophy is more than a motto. It shows up before the first patient – and stays long after the last one.

Source: United States Army

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Before the next wildfire sparks, Wyoming agencies are working together to improve coordination, strengthen readiness and protect communities across the state.

The Wyoming State Forestry Division hosted a wildfire readiness meeting last week with the Wyoming National Guard, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security and representatives from the Governor’s Office ahead of the 2026 fire season.

The Wyoming National Guard attended at the invitation of Kelly Norris, Wyoming state forester.

“Wildfire response starts with relationships and communication,” said Brig. Gen. Michelle Mulberry, director of joint staff for the Wyoming National Guard. “By bringing agencies together before fire season, we strengthen readiness, improve coordination and ensure we are prepared to protect Wyoming communities.”

Leaders discussed lessons learned from the 2025 fire season and identified areas to sustain and improve.

Topics included interagency communication, resource coordination and operational capabilities. Leaders also discussed how agencies can maintain a better understanding of available support during wildfire incidents.

The meeting focused on improving collaboration before large incidents occur. Leaders said stronger coordination now will help create a faster, more unified response when communities are threatened.

“Wildfire response in Wyoming depends on strong partnerships and communication before the first fire starts,” Norris said. “Bringing agencies together to discuss capabilities, coordination and lessons learned strengthens our ability to protect lives, property and natural resources across the state.”

Participants emphasized the importance of continued coordination as Wyoming prepares for increased wildfire activity during the summer months.

The Wyoming Army National Guard routinely supports wildfire response operations across the state through aviation support, personnel, equipment and interagency coordination during emergency operations.

Related Links

The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil

State Partnership Program | NationalGuard.mil

The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Flickr | Flickr.com/TheNationalGuard

The National Guard on Instagram | Instagram.com/us.nationalguard

The National Guard on X | X.com/USNationalGuard

The National Guard on YouTube | YouTube.com/TheNationalGuard

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — More than 250 Soldiers and Airmen from throughout the National Guard took part in National Guard Day at Nationals Park, highlighting the Guard’s service, sacrifice and community connection.

Guard members joined in pregame ceremonies, including on-field recognition, before the Washington Nationals took on the New York Mets on May 18.

The event underscored the Guard’s unique dual mission, serving as the combat reserve of the Army and Air Force while also responding during emergencies at home.

“Our relationship with the Washington Nationals reflects the National Guard’s commitment to connecting with the community in meaningful ways,” said Christine Thompson, a community engagement specialist with the National Guard Bureau. “By working together, we’re able to engage with the members of our communities while also highlighting the shared values of teamwork, service, and dedication that both our organizations represent.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, with the West Virginia Air National Guard, threw the game’s ceremonial first pitch. Wolfe was critically wounded in November during a targeted shooting attack while serving in the district as part of Joint Task Force District of Columbia.

The first pitch came after months of rehabilitation efforts by Wolfe, marking a milestone in his recovery.

“Throwing out the first pitch was a surreal experience,” said Wolfe.

U.S. Army Maj. Ryan Reynolds, with the West Virginia Army National Guard, delivered the game ball to Jake Irvin, the Nationals’ starting pitcher.

Reynolds was among the team of Soldiers and Airmen who responded to the shooting that left Wolfe wounded and claimed the life of U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, a military police officer with the West Virginia Army National Guard serving as part of JTF-DC. Reynolds ran toward the gunfire, subdued the assailant, protected fellow service members and shielded members of the public while maintaining initial care of Wolfe and Beckstrom.

Guard members, including more than 75 Soldiers and Airmen with the District of Columbia National Guard, were featured in other on-field roles at the start of the game.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Vicki Goldberg, with the D.C. Army National Guard, performed the national anthem while pilots with the D.C. Air National Guard’s 113th Wing executed a flyover of the stadium in F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

Game umpires received the starting lineup cards from U.S. Army Spc. Matthew David, with the Maryland Army National Guard, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Destiny Melendez, with the D.C. Air National Guard, kicked off the game by announcing “play ball!” to a stadium filled with thousands.

“The entire experience was amazing. The fact that I got to be with my coworkers, my peers and my family and play a role in today’s celebration was exhilarating,” said Melendez. “The energy was insane.”

From the Maryland National Guard, U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Zrebiec delivered the starting lineup cards to the umpire crew at home plate.

“I’m doing this for my daughters,” said Zrebiec. “They’re huge baseball fans, so when the opportunity came up, I said ‘yeah, let’s do it!’”

The collaboration between the National Guard and the Washington Nationals continues a longstanding tradition of honoring military service in the nation’s capital.

“As representatives of the national pastime in our nation’s capital, it’s important for us to recognize and honor our military members and their families,” said Gregory McCarthy, the Washington Nationals’ senior vice president of community and government engagement. “It’s not only our duty to celebrate and thank members of the National Guard who work in D.C., Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia, but our privilege to be able to do so, especially as we come together to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding.”

“It’s really cool to be part of history. I was part of something bigger than myself and that is truly an honor,” said Melendez.

National Guard participation at Nationals games dates back to the opening of Nationals Park in 2008, when Guard members helped unfurl large American flags during pregame ceremonies and supported tributes to military service as part of the stadium’s inaugural season.