Source: United States Navy
Portland, United Kingdom – Exercise Sea Breeze 26-2 kicked off in Portland, United Kingdom, today. Naval forces from Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Japan, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, NATO Maritime Allied Command (NATOMARCOM), Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and The United States are all participating.
Source: United States Navy
BOSTON – The U.S. Navy announced the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) arrived in Boston Harbor to serve for the historic Sail Boston 2026 event. The ship’s arrival marks the formal beginning of Sail Boston, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Source: United States Navy
NORFOLK, Va. – Nearly 3,000 Sailors of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrived at Naval Station Norfolk following a historic and successful four-month deployment to the U.S. Southern Command areas of operations, and participation in Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250 and the International Naval Review (INR) 250, July 9.
Source: United States Spaceforce
The Air Force is partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit to leverage DIU’s expertise in rapidly prototyping and fielding commercial technologies. This partnership is crucial for developing next-generation capabilities that will inform the future of the MQ-9 Reaper fleet.
Source: United States Spaceforce
The USAFE-AFAFRICA Five Star Brass Band performed for U.S. Embassy Budapest’s Freedom 250 celebrations, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, connecting Hungarians with U.S. Airmen through music, education and diplomacy.
Source: United States Spaceforce
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs, the 15th Wing, and the 137th Intelligence Squadron march behind the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam honor guard during an Independence Day parade in Kailua, Hawaii, July 4, 2026.
Source: United States Spaceforce
The Kaiserslautern Military Community sets off fireworks during Freedom Fest at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 4, 2026. The two-day fest brought together service members and families from the KMC in a shared celebration of partnership and 250 years of American independence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Curzi)
Source: United States Spaceforce
The 85th TES deployed the F-15EX Eagle II to Japan’s Kadena AB to train with the 18th Wing and test human-machine teaming with an uncrewed MQ-28 Ghost Bat, advancing Defense of War’s lethality goals in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: United States Army
CHIEVRES AIR BASE, Belgium – U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Benelux marked a new chapter in its history July 8, 2026, as Col. Patrick Hofmann relinquished command to Col. Peter Young during a change of command ceremony at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium.
Wes Leisinger, Installation Management Command – Europe (IMCOM-E) chief of staff, presided over the event, officiating on behalf of Tommy R. Mize, IMCOM-E director. Leisinger mentioned some of USAG Benelux challenges and its mission since the garrison includes four different communities in three different countries.
Leisinger spoke about the responsibilities of the garrison in the region and how it supports various key headquarters and organizations. Highlighted were the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Allied Joint Forces Command Brunssum and the four APS sites located in Zutendaal, Belgium; Eygelshoven and Brunssum, The Netherlands and Dülmen, Germany.
“Leading an organization responsible for integrating and delivering exceptional BASEOPS services to these key units across this diverse, multinational, geographically dispersed footprint, requires the kind of commander who can work effectively with mission partners, host nation collaborators, and a wide range of military organizations,” he said.
Leisinger commented on the garrison’s accomplishments under Hofmann’s leadership, including support to mission partners and higher headquarters alike, managing his people while serving his community, working on complex, multimillion dollar projects such as the construction of Army Family Housing
“Col. Hofmann’s visionary leadership, strategic acumen, and unwavering commitment to Soldiers, Families, and Civilians significantly enhanced readiness, strengthened multinational partnerships, and improved quality of life across the Benelux footprint.” Leisinger said. “During his tenure, COL Hofmann has led the way forward on several complex, multimillion dollar projects.”
Hofmann expressed how honored he feels to have served as commander of USAG Benelux and how proud, grateful and humbled he feels to be surrounded with people that make the organization so exceptional.
“And we know why we’re here,” Hofmann said. “Everything we do is grounded in shared values, shared history, and a shared future that connects our American teammates with our Belgian, Dutch, and German partners in ways that are both historic and deeply personal.”
Hofmann’s next assignment will be Director G 3/5/7 Installation Management Command, San Antonio, TX
The official transfer of authority was captured in the traditional passing of the garrison colors. USAG Benelux 1st Sgt. Adam Ustunda first passed the colors to Hofmann, who then handed them to Leisinger, signifying the official conclusion of his command. Leisinger then entrusted the colors to Young, charging him with the responsibility of the garrison and marking the official beginning of his tenure as commander.
Young brings a wealth of diverse leadership experience to the Benelux. His career began as an enlisted Soldier before he attended the United States Military Academy and commissioned into the Engineer Corps in 2003. His combat experience includes deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom before he transitioned to the Special Forces branch, deploying twice more in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Most recently, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado
Leisinger mentioned some of Young’s accomplishments and spoke directly to him in his remarks.
“Col. Young, we’re glad to have you with us on the IMCOM-Europe team,” Leisinger said. “This is both an exciting and challenging time to join us here in Europe, a time when we are called to continue to care for our people by providing them world-class services and reliable infrastructure needed to enhance USAEUR-AF’s readiness.”
Young spoke about how he feels deeply honored to pick up the mantle of garrison commander and expressed his gratitude to Hofmann for the transition.
“You are truly the very best our Army has to offer, and I’ve observed pride and commitment in your work over my past two weeks of transition, and over the past year reading the SITREPs,” Young said. “I’m looking forward to serving alongside you, the people who make it all possible, as we begin this next chapter of our Benelux Garrison’s distinguished history as we transform challenges into opportunities and deliver on behalf of the Soldiers, Civilians, Families, and Retirees that depend on us.”
Source: United States Army
CHON BURI PROVINCE, Thailand – Mechanics and logisticians with the Washington National Guard wrapped up a three-week maintenance and logistics exchange with the Royal Thai Army in Ko Chan District on May 30. The bilateral exchange sought to improve the performance and longevity of Thailand’s armored vehicle fleet.
National Guard instructors teamed up with their Royal Thai Army counterparts to develop and deliver the dual-track curriculum. The training program included a two-week Stryker and wheeled vehicle maintenance course, followed by a one-week sustainment and logistics management seminar in Ko Chan District. The training produced 19 graduates from the 11th Maintenance Support Battalion and Forward Support Companies 1 and 2.
The exchange separated participants into maintenance and management courses to address the host nation’s priority sustainment gaps. During the initial two-week technical block, Thai mechanics conducted intensive, hands-on troubleshooting on operational vehicles. Training focused on safety procedures, power pack removals, C7 valve calibration, engine diagnostics, suspension arm replacement and overhaul.
To support the Royal Thai Army’s ongoing modernization, instructors added instruction on operating, maintaining and calibrating Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations, or CROWS, and integrated vehicle sensor systems.
While mechanics turned wrenches during the first two weeks, the final week focused on logistics management, sustainment systems and processes. Classroom discussions and practical exercises helped Royal Thai Army leaders learn to identify, document and track vehicle faults; refine internal maintenance work order flow; forecast requirements for Class III petroleum and Class IX repair parts; manage battery charging and lifecycle programs; and coordinate parts and state-of-the-fleet maintenance reviews.
“During my first iteration of leading the execution of a Stryker Leader Course in July 2023, I had many questions about how the relatively new 112th Stryker Regiment Combat Team conducted maintenance operations of the Stryker fleet,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ricky Thomas, Combined Support Maintenance Shop superintendent with the Washington National Guard. “I discovered that the RTA performed PMCS differently than we did in the U.S. Army.”
The decision to send specialized maintenance teams to Thailand grew out of observations during a July 2023 training rotation. While supporting a separate leadership course, Washington Guard subject-matter experts noted that the newly formed 112th Stryker Regiment Combat Team relied heavily on civilian contractors and managed fleet maintenance differently from standard U.S. Army formations.
A follow-on assessment in September 2024 by Washington Guardsmen identified a shortage of school-trained maintainers across the regiment’s organic support units. At the time, one forward support company was responsible for maintaining the regiment’s vehicles with only 15 mechanics. Just one, a company-grade officer, held formal maintenance school training.
Royal Thai Army leaders requested focused maintenance and logistics training to close those gaps. Working through the State Partnership Program and the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group, Thailand, the Washington National Guard mobilized surface maintenance experts to help establish a locally run training pipeline.
The May graduating class represents the fourth iteration of the technical maintenance course and the third run of the logistics management seminar held in Thailand.
Backed by decades of cooperation under the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group, Thailand, the latest course iteration strengthens an enduring alliance and helps keep both forces ready to respond to regional security requirements.
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