Category: Security

Source: United States Army

ANSBACH, Germany — USAG Ansbach holds its next Community Leaders’ Information Forum (CLIF) Wednesday, June 17, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Von Steuben Community Center.

The CLIF is held quarterly and open to the USAG Ansbach community. The intent is to enable communication between Ansbach community spouses, unit FRG leaders, Garrison leadership, and key service partners.

The CLIF will be live-streamed on the Garrison Facebook page at Facebook.com/USAGAnsbachCommunity.

The CLIF addresses garrison services, community updates, and provides community members the opportunity to interact directly with directorates and service providers. Information is shared, feedback is heard, and conversation is encouraged.

The March 2026 CLIF slides are available at: https://go.mil/ansbach-clifslidesmarch2026. Updated slides for June 2026 will be made available here.

Source: United States Army

ANSBACH, Germany — USAG Ansbach holds its next Community Leaders’ Information Forum (CLIF) Wednesday, June 18, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Von Steuben Community Center.

The CLIF is held quarterly and open to the USAG Ansbach community. The intent is to enable communication between Ansbach community spouses, unit FRG leaders, Garrison leadership, and key service partners.

The CLIF will be live-streamed on the Garrison Facebook page at Facebook.com/USAGAnsbachCommunity.

The CLIF addresses garrison services, community updates, and provides community members the opportunity to interact directly with directorates and service providers. Information is shared, feedback is heard, and conversation is encouraged.

The March 2026 CLIF slides are available at: https://go.mil/ansbach-clifslidesmarch2026. Updated slides for June 2026 will be made available here.

Source: United States Army

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas Military Department participated in the 2026 Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) May 18-21, marking twelve years of interagency partnership.

SAREX focuses on disaster response preparedness for search and rescue organizations to better prepare for natural disasters and improve interagency coordination between state and federal partners. This year’s exercise integrated rotary-wing rescue assets with unmanned aircraft systems teams to improve situational awareness and communication between agencies.

“One of the rescue sites, Camp Bullis, provided a realistic disaster environment that first responders could face including power lines, trees, roof extractions and more,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rob Meischen, a SAREX planner from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. “Collectively this training is exactly what aircrews, hoist personnel, ground teams, and UAS operators need to help validate training and processes so we are better prepared for the next Kerrville or Hurricane Harvey.”

There were 22 aircraft from 13 different agencies, including the U.S. Air Force 41st Rescue Squadron, National Guard units and Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Teams (HART) from Arkansas and Indiana, and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office. With over 335 attendees, there were 275 hoists, 339 personnel moved, and over 84 hours flown.

“Last year, SAREX was held less than two months before the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country and central Texas during the July Fourth weekend, which claimed the lives of 136 people,” said Brett Dixon, the assistant chief of Texas A&M Task Force 1 and SAREX director. “The local, state, and federal aviation coordination that rescued and evacuated flooding victims is a testament to the training at SAREX. Our goal is to make sure that all aviation resources in Texas are ready to respond in a coordinated way to help Texans on their worst day.”

SAREX 2026 enables local, state and federal government search-and-rescue aviation to develop better coordination mechanisms for responding to hurricanes and natural disasters in real-world scenarios. The Texas Military Department plays a critical role in disaster response exercises by providing rapid aerial response, personnel transport, and coordinated aviation support alongside civilian emergency agencies, strengthening interagency partnerships that are essential to lifesaving 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

FORT HOOD, Texas — Fort Hood held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand new Barrack 101 on May 19, the latest addition to the improvements to housing and quality of life for Soldiers at The Great Place.

The barrack is part of a project authorized and funded by Congress in fiscal year 2022. Congress appropriated $80 million, but the barrack was completed under budget at $65.5 million.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to deliver this first-class facility for the Soldiers of 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade,” said Brian Dosa, director of the Directorate of Public Works. “We had about 50 Soldiers in formation at the ceremony. When complete, they all made a beeline for the barracks, kind of like kids on Christmas morning! Their excitement and appreciation were evident and that’s why we serve. We now have 101 barracks on post, and this is the very best one.”

Sgt. Ramiro Soto Gomez, narrator for the ceremony and Soldier assigned to 69th ADA Bde., thanked the partners who assisted in the construction of the barrack during his remarks.

“We appreciate the hard work and dedication of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Cerris Builders, Dominion Energy and American Water to deliver this new facility for our Soldiers, on time and below budget,” he said.

The new barrack will house Soldiers assigned to 69th ADA Bde. It can house 248 Soldiers in 124 rooms. Each room features two separate bedrooms with their own walk-in closets, and a shared bathroom and kitchenette. The kitchenette features a convection microwave, along with an electric stovetop with two burners.

There are three floors, each with its own laundry rooms and communal lounge rooms. Additionally, the first floor features a pool table, foosball table and a fully equipped fitness room while the second and third floors offer balconies.

In addition to the new barrack, there are also seven covered areas nearby complete with a grill and an outdoor fitness area for Soldiers to use.

Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Casanova, command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., noted Soldiers have expressed significant satisfaction regarding the transition into Barrack 101. Pfc. Kiresten Smith, 69th ADA Bde., agreed.

“It makes me feel more comfortable mentally,” she said of the updated rooms. “It puts me in a better space because I can make this more of my home space.”

The amenities provide a variety of new opportunities, convenience and boost morale, Smith expressed.

“It gives us the opportunity to meet other people and to talk to other people in the lounge room,” she said. “Then I like the built-in weight room; that’s nice. It saves us time, gas, money from going to the gym. We could just go downstairs and work out.”

The upgraded amenities significantly improve support for unaccompanied Soldiers’ quality of life, Casanova said.

“The completion of the new barrack facility has driven an immediate increase in morale across 1-44 ADAR, positively impacting both the Soldiers residing in the building and unit leadership,” Casanova, said. “Furthermore, its placement within the Lightning Brigade’s footprint facilitates greater leader presence and enables more effective barracks oversight.”

Barrack 101 is far from the last of the improvements to housing for Soldiers. Dosa said the next project is a 224-bed barrack planned in the 10000 block, near the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery Headquarters.

Source: United States Army

ANSBACH, Germany — U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach offered an in-depth overview of the U.S. Army’s approach to family support for representatives of the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) Family Care Organization during a community outreach event at the garrison’s Storck Barracks in May 2026.

The visiting group included 55 directors and staff from the Bundeswehr, which operates 32 full-time Family Care Centers and up to 50 part-time Family Care Points throughout Germany.

This event introduced the U.S. Army Family Support System to its German counterparts, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration in supporting military families.

German Lt. Col. Danila Dubrau, head of the Lead Family Care Center at the Bundeswehr Operations Command, pointed out that while there are things the two militaries may do differently, taking care of Soldiers and families is the same.

“We have the same goal: to take care of our families, and by doing that, we make sure their Soldier is able to concentrate on the mission,” Dubrau said.

Family assistance remains a major focus for the German army, particularly as it establishes garrison-style bases in Eastern Europe.

The Lithuania Brigade, a panzer brigade officially commissioned in April 2025 in Lithuania, represents a permanent Bundeswehr combat unit of about 5,000 personnel, strengthening NATO’s defense posture in Eastern Europe.

With the unit’s formation, Germany now maintains a permanently deployed brigade, increasing the likelihood of more troops serving abroad.

The establishment of Armored Brigade 45, the official designation of the Lithuania Brigade, is a top priority for the German government, according to Dr. Jörg Krämer of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, who said this applies “not only to military matters but also to issues concerning family support.”

The delegation from the German family care organizations visited USAG Ansbach to learn from and exchange best practices with the garrison’s family care experts.

Those experts have more than 80 years of institutional experience supporting Soldiers families in Europe.

The U.S. Army is committed to continuously enhancing the quality and reach of services that support its families and, by extension, its Soldiers.

“It’s about how we take care of our Soldiers and their families when the soldiers are on extended training missions or deployed,” said Bruce Griggs, USAG Ansbach Deputy to the Garrison Commander.

The orientation tour and exchange with the Bundeswehr’s family care organization underscore the importance of international cooperation in supporting military families.

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — To support Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s “peace through strength” priorities, at a recent AUSA coffee series speaking event, an Army leader outlined how the service built its $253 billion budget request for fiscal year 2027, which includes investments in housing, training and recruiting.

Army Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, the service’s budget director, said the proposal centers on three lines of effort:

• Modernizing through the continuous transformation initiative, expediting how the service fights, equips and trains, while getting new technologies into the hands of Soldiers.
• Delivering combat-ready forces, including investments in next-generation weapons systems.
• Strengthening the profession, investing in quality-of-life improvements for Soldiers and their Families.

To deliver combat-ready forces while aligning with the War Department’s priority to rebuild the military, the Army’s proposal includes $7.3 billion for munitions expansion, $3.8 billion for its organic industrial base and $1.3 billion for warfighter end-strength growth.

Army vehicles currently in development include the XM-30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, the Army’s replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the M1E3 Abrams, and the service’s next-generation battle tank.

Lisa Salazar, who attended the event from the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the next steps for the XM-30 and M1E3 will be to finish the prototype stage and begin fielding pilot programs. The Army recently revealed its first M1E3 prototype at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year.

McElwain noted that technology is changing exponentially faster than ever before.

“We can’t control the pace of which that’s happening, but we can try to keep up,” she said. “So, as we deliver combat-ready forces, we’re trying to make sure the budget ensures that units are properly equipped and trained.”

The Army plans to add 18,300 Soldiers, raising its total personnel by 5.3%. The increase includes 15,000 active-duty troops and another 3,300 National Guard members. The service also proposed a 5 to 7% pay raise for Soldiers, earmarked $2.5 billion for recruiting and retention efforts and requested a 9.6% increase for operations and maintenance.

The Army proposed spending $295 million for increased essential combat unit training and $432 million for critical repair parts.

McElwain said improving housing for Soldiers aligns with the War Department’s priority of restoring the warrior ethos by allowing Soldiers to focus on the mission.

The service will invest $4 billion in family housing, child development centers and quality-of-life improvements, and an additional $2.9 billion will go toward barracks upgrades.

“Investment in Soldiers also means investment in families,” McElwain said, adding that the foundation of the Soldiers starts with ensuring their families are cared for.

One significant funding increase is 12.9% toward research, development, test and transformation, including the development of the Army’s next-generation command and control. McElwain said NGC2 will provide layers of technology, including data, infrastructure, applications and transport — giving commanders a wider view of multiple platforms and domains.

Finally, regarding the War Department’s priority of reestablishing deterrence, the Army plans to spend $1.1 billion to defend the southern border, $1.9 billion on counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and invest in a nuclear energy resilience program.

“It really is a budget that strategically balances present readiness with what we need for future dominance,” McElwain said.