Source: United States Marines
The Marine Corps Aviation Plan (AVPLAN) outlines the strategic vision, key capabilities, and future direction for Marine Corps Aviation, aiming to enhance readiness and address emerging threats. The 2026 AVPLAN marks a significant evolution from 2025, transitioning from strategic direction to concrete, data-driven implementation.
Source: United States Marines
For the third year in a row, independent auditors verified that the Marine Corps’ financial records are materially accurate, complete, and compliant with federal regulations and issued an unmodified opinion for Fiscal Year 2025.
Source: United States Airforce
Staff Sgt. Kelly Curtis returns to represent Team USA on the world’s biggest stage for the second time at the XXV Olympic Winter Games.
Source: United States Airforce
Senior reserve leaders from across the NATO alliance gathered last week to discuss the growing importance of reserve forces in addressing global security challenges during the NATO Air Reserve Symposium.
Source: United States Army
LANDSTUHL, GERMANY — Native of San Antonio, Texas, serves as the Entomology Chief for Public Health in Europe, where his work plays a critical role in protecting the health and readiness of U.S. service members.
As a subject matter expert supporting the United States European Command region, Capt. Jordan Cornell provides assistance through vector surveillance, arthropod identification, and mitigation strategies that reduce disease risk for the warfighter.
Entomology, the study of insects and related arthropods, is a field many people rarely consider until its absence is felt. From pest control and vector-borne disease prevention to agricultural and environmental support, Cornell’s expertise spans far beyond a single specialty.
“There are so many crossover applications,” he explains. “Entomology touches more areas than people realize and it can do a lot of good.”
That passion began early. Cornell knew from a young age that he wanted to be an entomologist, even when others assumed it was a phase he would eventually outgrow. He never did. Instead, he sought out opportunities to learn more, including programs in Texas that allowed him to work alongside entomology professionals. Asking questions in the field and seeing real-world risk mitigation solidified his decision to pursue the career.
While he always knew he wanted to serve in the Army, it wasn’t until his freshman year of college that everything aligned. Hearing military entomologists speak about their role in public health and force protection made it clear that his two passions, science and service, could coexist.
“That’s when it clicked,” he said. “Entomology in the Army is preventative medicine. It directly impacts the lives of Soldiers.”
Cornell commissioned into the Army Medical Service Corps and later completed a master’s program at Texas A&M University. While academically challenging, he pushed through by focusing on the mission and the people his work would ultimately protect.
“School was hard,” he admits, “but I knew I had to do it. I wouldn’t be able to help to my full potential if I didn’t push through those tough moments.”
Education remains one of his greatest passions. He frequently volunteers with schools and Department of Defense programs, sharing his knowledge and helping others understand the importance of entomology.
“Entomology is intriguing because you can never know everything,” he said. “You’re always learning.”
Service also runs deep in his family. Cornell’s grandfather, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and Medical Service Corps officer, helped build and redesign Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. He, too, earned a master’s degree from Texas A&M and shared a deep love of learning.
Their careers share striking parallels—from early assignments in the Washington, D.C. area to service in Germany. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his grandfather had the honor of commissioning him, a moment Cornell describes as profoundly meaningful.
Now continuing his Army career in Europe, Cornell looks forward to his grandfather visiting Germany so they can tour the old barracks where his grandfather once served.
Reflecting on his journey, the advice he would give his younger self is simple but powerful: be willing to show up, step up and continually work to better yourself and those around you.
Through dedication, expertise, and a passion for teaching, Cornell carries forward a vital mission and a proud family legacy.
Source: United States Army
TALLINN, Estonia – The Maryland National Guard participated in Crossed Swords, a comprehensive cyber defense exercise, with their Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program Estonian partners at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, or CCDCOE, last fall.
The exercise, held Oct. 27 through Nov. 7, 2025, hosted 240 participants from about 45 countries, including Airmen from the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group. Participants shared tactics and procedures to contribute towards a cohesive collective-defense strategy.
CCDCOE’s Crossed Swords is an annual cyber warfare training exercise that centers on operational-level military command elements and the enhancement of offensive and defensive cyber capabilities through simulated operations and crisis response. The exercise also focuses on advancing multi-domain operational competencies, including information warfare operations, legal perspectives and cooperation with Special Operations Forces.
This year, participants focused on two cyber headquarters, simulating fictional nations for the scenario.
“The combination of strategic decisionmaking, tactical AI‑assisted execution and immediate coordination with critical infrastructure owners created a drill that felt less like a training scenario and more like an actual national defense operation, something no previous exercise that we have participated in had ever achieved,” said Maryland Air National Guard Lt. Col. Bob DeLuca, flight commander for the 175th Cyberspace Operations Squadron.
The exercise focused on five objectives related to simulating the life cycle of a modern cyber conflict. These included strategic‑level command and control, tactical cyber operations, multi‑domain integration, public‑private partnership testing and technology validation.
“Exercises like this continue to build upon and expand the partnership of over 30 years,” DeLuca said. “The Estonian Defense Force led the Command Headquarters and led many of the team leader positions as well as staffing many technical roles, while our Guardsmen were participants on their teams.”
Maryland Airmen, alongside their Estonian counterparts, had the chance to step outside their comfort zones by operating in two emerging domains: information operations and AI‑driven cyber tools.
“We have to adapt to the reality of today’s cyber threat landscape, where complex, multi-domain operations and hybrid tactics are the norm. It has become clear that in cyberspace, we need to adopt a wartime mentality, including strong offensive cyber capabilities,” said Tõnis Saar, director of NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence.
This year, teams had the opportunity to adapt in stressful scenarios where their capabilities were tested, ultimately elevating NATO’s alliance’s abilities from initial cyber threat detection to critical action and preserving crucial online services and functions.
“This exercise provided a means for our members to measurably improve their leadership, planning, detection, assessment and response to sophisticated cyber-attacks,” DeLuca said. “Participating in CrossedSwords2025 sharpened our unit’s mission‑readiness on every level, and the team performed amazingly.”
Source: United States Army
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — For Soldiers assigned to the Wyoming National Guard’s Training Center Command, understanding how a wildfire moves can mean the difference between a controlled response and a dangerous situation that shifts without warning.
That reality was at the center of the S-290 Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior course held at the Southeast Wyoming Wildland Academy in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Feb. 7–8, 2026. The 40-hour course strengthened participants’ ability to safely evaluate and predict wildfire behavior during emergency operations, skills that directly support missions across the state.
Developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the course focuses on how weather, topography and fuels interact to influence fire behavior — factors that can change rapidly and place firefighters at risk if not properly understood.
“Understanding fire behavior is about keeping Soldiers safe while they accomplish the mission,” said Craig Heilig, spokesman for the Southeast Wyoming Wildland Academy. “This course gives our personnel the tools to make informed decisions in rapidly changing wildfire environments.”
Soldiers from Training Center Command operations and firefighting sections attended the training, building a shared understanding that strengthens coordination during real-world wildfire response efforts. Those skills are particularly critical at Camp Guernsey, where Guard personnel routinely support firefighting and emergency operations during wildfire season.
The S-290 course emphasizes recognizing early indicators of changing fire behavior, helping firefighters anticipate hazards before they escalate. This advanced level of situational awareness is a key factor in reducing risk on the fireline and preventing accidents during suppression operations.
Beyond immediate safety benefits, completion of S-290 also supports long-term professional development. The course is a prerequisite for leadership positions such as Firefighter Type 1, Crew Boss, Engine Boss, and Incident Commander Type 5, preparing Soldiers to assume greater responsibility during complex incidents.
As a nationally recognized qualification under the National Interagency Incident Management System, S-290 ensures Wyoming National Guard Soldiers can integrate seamlessly with local, state and federal partners during multi-agency wildfire responses.
Ultimately, the training supports a mission that extends beyond the fireline. By applying these skills during wildfire operations at Camp Guernsey and across Wyoming, trained Soldiers help protect lives, property and the natural landscapes communities depend on.
Source: United States Airforce
The Department of the Air Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management stood up an integrated program office to lead the Joint Fires Network, Oct. 1, 2025.
Source: United States Airforce
As the world prepares for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, the DAF is spotlighting the Air Force WCAP, a unique initiative that develops elite competitors while strengthening military readiness.
Source: United States Navy
From the pitcher’s mound to the front lines of naval science, Lt. Cmdr. Elih M. Velazquez-Delgado’s unconventional path has culminated in one of Navy Medicine’s highest honors.