Category: Security

Source: United States Army

TROY, New York–The last of 500 New York National Guard Soldiers who deployed to the Middle East with the headquarters of the 42nd Infantry Division returned to New York from their active-duty deployment at the beginning of June.

The Soldiers mobilized at the end of May in 2025 to serve as the command headquarters for Task Force Spartan, the Army’s 10,000- Soldier force in the region.

The New York National Guard Soldiers were deployed in this role when President Donald Trump made the decision to launch hostilities against Iran under the code name Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026.

Major General Jack James, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, furled the division’s colors during a June 6 ceremony in the region.

James’ command element was the last part of the headquarters to return to the United States.

Command of Task Force Spartan was turned over to the Texas Army National Guard’s 36th Infantry Division.

Soldiers had been returning from the Middle East back to New York for over two months prior to James’ final handover of command to the Texas National Guard.

The original mission for the 42nd Division headquarters Soldiers was to focus on exercises with regional allies, such as Operation Brightstar in Egypt in September 2025. The 42nd Soldiers also conducted operations designed to build regional allies’ military capacity and to deter regional aggression.

The decision to launch combat operations changed the mission for the New York Guard Soldiers and the rest of the task force, James said during the handover ceremony with the 36th Division.

“Our team accomplished a number of [combat] firsts,” James said. “[Every one of them was] enabled by our world-class communicators, maintainers, and sustainers, without whose efforts we could not have prevailed.”

The turnover between the 42nd and 36th division headquarters was delayed, so that the 42nd Division could continue to focus on combat operations longer, according to Lt. Gen. Kevin Leahy, commanding general of U.S. Army Central and Third Army.

“This was one of the longest relief-in-place operations in history. It allowed two legendary divisions to work together, with the 36th stepping in to manage key tasks so the 42nd could maintain an uninterrupted focus on combat operations – some of the most complex combat operations in U.S. Army history,” Leahy said.

The headquarters Soldiers did a tremendous job of switching to combat operations at short notice, James said.

“The 42nd Infantry Division has once again proven itself to be a shining example of American military excellence,” James said. “Our soldiers have demonstrated unwavering bravery, selflessness, and dedication to our mission, and I couldn’t be prouder to lead such an exceptional team.

Among their accomplishment was overseeing the targeting of the Army’s new Precision Strike Missile against Iranian targets, James said. This new missile is fired from the battle- tested HIMARS launching system, but it has a range of over 300 miles.

“The firing of the first precision missile in combat is a testament to our division’s ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity,” James said.

Command Sgt. Major Arnold Reyes, the highest-ranking enlisted Soldier in the division, also praised the Soldiers for their adaptability.

“The Soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division have shown remarkable resilience and determination in the face of a challenging and dynamic operational environment. I am honored to serve alongside such a talented and dedicated group of warriors,” Reyes said.

The 42nd Infantry Division is headquartered in Troy, New York and includes 5,500 New York National Guard Soldiers as well as Soldiers from the National Guards of New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and several other states.

The division was formed in 1917 when elements from 26 state National Guard units were combined into a single multi-state division to deploy quickly to France during World War I. Douglas MacArthur, who was then a colonel and later became a five-star general, said the division would reach across America “like a rainbow,” and the nickname stuck.

In World War II, the “Rainbow Division” fought across southern Germany, capturing the cities of Wurzburg, Nuremberg and Munich and liberating the Dachau concentration camp.

The division became part of the New York National Guard in 1947. Soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division responded in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in New York City.

The division headquarters and major support elements deployed to Iraq in 2005 to lead Task Force Liberty, marking the first time National Guard headquarters had gone to war since 1953. Rainbow Soldiers also fought in Afghanistan.

The division headquarters also deployed to the Central Command area in the Middle East in 2020 to lead Task Force Spartan.

Source: United States Army

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 441st Transportation Company, 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, conducted rail operations June 10–16, 2026, at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center during the combat support training exercise Operation Sentinel Justice.

As part of the exercise, Soldiers from the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command were tasked with executing a real-world rail mission concurrently with Operation Sentinel Justice. The mission provided a unique opportunity to integrate practical logistics operations into a large-scale training environment.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Contreras, a mobility officer with the 143rd ESC, coordinated efforts across multiple Army components to ensure the mission was executed safely and effectively. His collaborative approach enabled units to work together seamlessly while reinforcing critical sustainment capabilities.

Training began in Gulfport, Mississippi, where Soldiers from the 441st Transportation Company (Seaport Operations), known as 441 SPOC, completed online instruction to familiarize themselves with rail and port operations equipment. Following this initial phase, Soldiers deployed to the Camp Shelby rail yard to apply their knowledge in a hands-on environment.

Over several days, 441 SPOC Soldiers trained in teams, practicing tie-down and lashing techniques essential for the upload and download of military equipment at both the rail yard and the Port of Gulfport. This iterative, crawl-walk-run training approach allowed Soldiers to progressively build proficiency and confidence.

The mission culminated with 441 SPOC teams downloading equipment at the port, which was subsequently transported and received at the Camp Shelby Equipment Concentration Site, demonstrating the unit’s ability to conduct synchronized port-to-rail operations.

Contreras emphasized the importance of teamwork and shared commitment to Soldier development. “I can’t take all the credit,” he said. “It’s not just me — it’s about people who care about Soldiers getting quality training. Having vested partners who want to see Soldiers succeed makes all the difference.”

The hands-on experience gained during the rail operation enhances the Army Reserve’s readiness, ensuring Soldiers remain proficient with the same equipment and procedures used in real-world deployments within complex, modern operational environments.

This mission brought together key partners, including the 1st Mission Support Command, Army Transportation Command, 84th Training Command, Deployment Support Command, and the Mississippi Army National Guard. Their coordination enabled a controlled and realistic training environment where Soldiers applied newly acquired skills throughout the exercise.

Operation Sentinel Justice is the largest training event in U.S. Army Reserve history, with approximately 12,000 to 15,000 Soldiers participating. The event consists of CSTX 26-01, Global Medic, and a tech evaluation, conducted across multiple locations including Camp Shelby, Gulfport and Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.

The CSTX is designed to assess and enhance unit readiness in a dynamic, multi-echelon, joint environment, preparing Army Reserve forces for large-scale combat operations.

Source: United States Army

BAUMHOLDER, Germany –U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz emergency response teams partnered with German first responders for an Integrated Protection Exercise to test joint emergency response capabilities at the Baumholder Airfield near Reichenbach June 10.

The exercise featured a complex mass casualty scenario to test interoperability between U.S. Army law enforcement, fire and medical personnel, and their German host-nation counterparts. The scenario simulated a vehicle plowing into a crowd, injuring several people during an event at the airfield. The vehicle then collided with another car, trapping one person inside.

The Baumholder Disaster Response Unit, German Red Cross, Baumholder Fire Department and local Polizei led the on-ground response efforts. Since first responders were already on-site at the fictional event, they intervened immediately. Together, they subdued the driver, secured the scene and provided initial medical care while calling for additional support.

Additional German emergency responders, including the Reichenbach and Baumholder fire departments, arrived on scene shortly after. Emergency response leadership set up a joint command center in the airfield hangar to ensure full coordination and cooperation for a seamless response. Lukas Klein, Birkenfeld District fire and disaster protection inspector, took charge of the rescue operation.

During the exercise, first responders navigated an intense environment, with 13 on-scene actors providing realism through simulated injuries. Crews worked together to extract a trapped vehicle passenger while the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team managed a secondary threat – a simulated improvised explosive device disguised as a gym bag.

After about two hours, the exercise concluded with a joint debriefing.

“It was an excellent exercise to familiarize us with our partners’ capabilities,” summarized USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Police Chief Richard Robinson.

Chief Inspector Rouven Hebel of the Baumholder Police Station emphasized the importance of joint exercises.

“There are different ways of handling dangerous situations,” he said. “That is precisely why such exercises are very important.”

The exercise was also a success for the emergency medical services and fire departments.

Lukas Klein, Birkenfeld District fire and disaster protection inspector, was in charge of the rescue operation.

“We fully achieved our goal of testing our operational readiness while simultaneously improving our communication,” he said, adding that he hopes cooperation with U.S. partners can be further expanded in the future.

The large-scale effort required several months of planning and coordination across nine different organizations.

U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves, and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater.

Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp

Source: United States Army

CLAY KASERNE, Germany – United States Army Garrison Wiesbaden’s Directorate of Emergency Services welcomed 39 German police officers from the city of Wiesbaden on June 24, 2026, as part of their department outing.

The German Police and the U.S. Military Police work side by side every day, coordinating closely to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of everyone living and working in the region. From routine operations to joint response efforts, this daily collaboration reflects a partnership built on trust, professionalism, and mutual respect.

This event reflected that ongoing working relationship and gave the German guests a detailed look into operations and community life on the installation.

“The close cooperation between the German Police and the American Military Police is not only valuable, it is essential,” said Paula Ohl, Support Services Specialist with the DES Law Enforcement Division, “We are happy to host our Host Nation partners and to continue nurturing this important relationship.”

During their visit the group toured the Military Police facility, where they gained firsthand insight into the daily operations, capabilities, and collaborative procedures of their American counterparts.

The guests also received an introduction and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Fire Station, showcasing the readiness and dedication of our first responders.

The group then set out on a guided bus tour through the garrison.

Along the way, the visitors learned about the history of the airfield and the location of key facilities important to civilian employees — offering a window into the everyday life of the garrison community.

That partnership will continue at the upcoming German-American Friendship Fest from July 1 to July 5, where both police forces will once again work together to support a safe and successful event for the community.

Source: United States Army

75th USARIC Fleet Assessment Team establishes equipment benchmarks that measure performance during OSJ 26

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — Equipment utilization across future battlefields is a subject of great interest to the U.S. Army, but planning for the future requires evaluation today. The 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command’s involvement during Operations Sentinel Justice 26 included their Fleet Assessment Team addressing that exact concern, establishing performance benchmarks that impact exercises of tomorrow.

Their mission: gather real‑world performance data from Army Reserve rotational training units using military equipment in realistic, contested training environments.

The Fleet Assessment Team included five Soldiers from the Army Sustainment Command’s Army Reserve Element and an additional four civilians: two from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command and two from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. The team’s specialty is understanding how Army equipment performs across its entire lifecycle—from fielding to long‑term sustainment. During OSJ 26, that expertise was applied to a wide range of systems.

“Our job is to help Soldiers and maintainers understand why their equipment failed, how to fix it, and how to keep it from failing again,” said Lt. Col. David Yarwood, officer in charge, Fleet Assessment Team, Army Sustainment Command – Army Reserve Element, 75th USARIC, who led the fleet assessment effort during the exercise. “We want them to have all the equipment they need to train to standard, to train how they fight and fight to win.”

The Fleet Assessment Team served as the connective tissue between the training audience, consisting of MP units, logistics units and command elements, and the Logistics Assistance Representatives. The Fleet Assessment Team leveraged the LARS and Power Business Intelligence dashboards to identify trends and areas of concern with critical equipment, including power and environmental systems, lower tactical infrastructure communication equipment, combat support systems, and Soldier chemical and biological equipment.

OSJ 26 provided the ideal environment for that mission: a large-scale, multi-state exercise with more than 12,000 Army Reserve Soldiers training across complex, multi-domain scenarios.

The Fleet Assessment Team focused on evaluating equipment, including:

Joint Battle Command-Platform systems (JBC-P)

FM radios

Generators and environmental control units

Wheeled vehicles

Refrigeration trailers

Laundry Advanced Systems

The Fleet Assessment Team’s presence at OSJ 26 reflects a broader shift in how the Army Reserve utilizes LARs. Previously, USAR employed LARs in support of rotations at the Joint Reserve Training Center and National Training Center for Active Duty and National Guard brigade-level missions. OSJ 26 represents the first time Army Reserve Soldiers have provided Fleet Assessment Team capabilities to a COMPO 3 exercise.

“Army Reserve, National Guard, and Active Duty all use the same equipment, and we see similar issues across the entire force. We’re just glad to be able to help Soldiers wherever they need it,” said Michael Clark, a TACOM LAR with the Fleet Assessment Team.

Their work extended beyond simple observation. The team conducted structured interviews, collected user feedback, and documented performance issues in real time. Fleet Assessment also coordinated with assigned LARs to troubleshoot problems, validate fixes, and ensure that as much equipment as possible remained operational throughout the exercise.

“Our goal is to arm commanders with the best information possible about what goes wrong and why from a maintenance perspective,” said Capt. Alan Rhodes, fleet assessment officer, ASC-ARE, 75th USARIC. “What we learned here will help the Army grow and maintain operational readiness, which is critical to ensure the success of any real-world mission or training exercise.”

For the 75th USARIC, the exercise reinforced the command’s role as a catalyst for innovation across the Army Reserve and the total force; and for the Fleet Assessment Team, it demonstrated the value of meeting Soldiers where they train—capturing insights that only emerge in the dirt, heat, and pressure of real-world operations. In total, the Fleet Assessment Team impacted over 500 pieces of CECOM and TACOM managed equipment and provided over 40 hours of training to more than 50 Soldiers.

As OSJ 26 concludes, the Fleet Assessment team departs with a wealth of data, user insights, and recommendations that will provide the training audience with critical maintenance takeaways to improve their operational readiness for future exercises. These takeaways include recommendations on how to plan, prepare, and execute maintenance leading up to and during any mission or training event.

Source: United States Army

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Raska assumed responsibility as the senior enlisted advisor of the 21st Special Troops Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, during a transfer of responsibility ceremony held at Panzer Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany, June 8.

A native of Whitehouse, Texas, Raska brings more than 23 years of Army experience to the battalion. After attending Basic Combat Training in 2003 and Advanced Individual Training in 2004, he earned the designation of Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of leadership and operational positions within the EOD community.

His assignment to the 21st Special Troops Battalion marks the first time he has served outside the EOD career field.

“This is the first non-EOD job that I’ve done in my career, so the challenge of the dynamics of the organization and what we do is all very new to me, and I’m looking forward to it,” Raska said.

Raska attributes much of his success to the adaptability developed through years of conducting complex EOD missions. He believes flexibility, accountability and teamwork are key components of successful organizations and effective leadership.

One of the milestones he is most proud of is graduating from EOD school, which he described as one of the most challenging experiences of his career. His interest in the field began after attending a presentation by an EOD team from Fort Sam Houston, where he first learned about the profession and its mission. Years later, he returned to serve as the first sergeant of that same company after its relocation to Fort Hood, Texas.

As he begins his new role, Raska plans to draw upon the lessons learned throughout his career to support the battalion and its Soldiers.

“If you do your job well, we will go far beyond anyone’s expectations,” Raska said. “That’s all I ask of anybody, do your job and do it well.”

Although the battalion’s mission differs from his previous assignments, Raska believes the principles of leadership remain constant. Through a focus on accountability, teamwork and professional excellence, he hopes to help the 21st Special Troops Battalion continue building readiness and accomplishing its mission across the European theater.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

State Partnership Program representatives from North Dakota, officials of Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency, and civil affairs Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) took part in a tabletop exercise in Lome, Togo, June 11.

The TTX culminated a three-day academics portion, “Exercise Let’s Prepare 2026,” a disaster-relief training package designed to improve the Togolese government’s ability to respond to a variety of emergency scenarios. The academic portion was part of Operation Lignite Coast 2026, an overarching training experience conducted June 8-18.

U.S. instructors consisted of a team from the Peace Garden State, who were a mix of civilian state personnel and National Guard Soldiers. North Dakota and Togo have been partners through the National Guard’s SPP for over 12 years.

“Togo has been eager to learn from the U.S. military,” said U.S. Army Capt. Euston Harp, team chief for Civil Affairs Team Togo, Alpha Company, Civil Affairs Battalion, SETAF-AF. “The information these government officials have received during this training period will enable the Togolese government to improve its capacity in providing incident response and assuming greater responsibilities as a partner in the region.”

CA Team Togo’s part in the TTX involved offering key expertise and best practices to leverage core specializations in disaster response and humanitarian aid, as well as civil-military coordination and civil integration.

Harp explained that the TTX’s goal was evaluating response abilities and applying classroom instruction in a discussion-based environment, which would help identify potential planning gaps, clarify organizational roles and improve team coordination.

The TTX’s final portion consisted of groups of key leaders from Togo’s NCPA presenting solutions to three notional incidents. These scenarios included a large traffic accident on a bridge, a group of capsized, large-capacity canoes (carrying up to 60 people), and a cholera epidemic occurring in the aftermath of a flood. In composing their briefs, the teams employed the training they’d received over the previous three days. Building on the course’s content, delivering these presentations also helped prepare for a practical training exercise the groups would undergo the following week.

Sherry Adams, North Dakota state health officer and Southwestern District Health Unit executive officer, has worked in emergency preparedness and response since 2004, and she is certified by North Dakota and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an incident command instructor. She has made 15 trips total to Africa throughout her career, having taught incident command in Benin, Ghana and previously in Togo.

“What always impresses me every time I come to Africa, is how serious students are to understand, learn and train — and they do such a professional job,” Adams said. “For example, the TTX groups took the time to make very detailed maps as part of their briefs, which wasn’t required, and that’s why I love to teach over here. By using all the right terms, the maps they drew, and the diagrams they had, they demonstrated that they truly learned … and as an instructor, it just makes you really happy when you see your students do so well.”

Adams explained that her normal job responsibilities in North Dakota are quite different, but these trips to Africa put her in her “happy place” with a break from her normal routine and the opportunity to teach emergency preparedness.

“I love planning and preparing, and when I go to a country that has very few resources and I see how they make the most of everything, it really puts everything in perspective,” Adams said.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Al Roehrich, a lead planner for the North Dakota National Guard and deputy director of the North Dakota Domestic Operations Branch, pointed out that one of the intended benchmarks with partnership programs is to strengthen them to a point where they are on “cruise control,” and that every completed event moves the program with Togo closer to that level. He also noted that North Dakota’s relationships with various Togolese agencies remain strong while collectively building partner capacity to manage both domestic and regional security.

“They always appreciate it when we come over here, but they also get the benefit of going to the U.S. in small teams to visit North Dakota to see our training and how we conduct business,” Roehrich said. “We have a lot of the same problems, especially from an emergency services perspective. They might not deal with blizzards and snowstorms like we do in North Dakota, but we both have fires and floods, so we still see a lot of the same issues. This is shared learning at the end of the day.”

Roehrich emphasized that the overall goal always focuses on building capacity and relationships with partners in Togo, particularly with the NCPA on this trip. While North Dakota’s emergency preparedness experts provided the lead content for instruction during Lignite Coast, the opportunity to confer among colleagues generally positions both sides for better success going forward.

“We always look to build upon capacity from past events and exercises,” Roehrich said. “We conduct annual exercises with all of our partner countries, and Togo’s NCPA has been a great partner in emergency preparedness and disaster response in 2026. Any time we can get partners together to talk about ways to improve, it always makes us better collectively because we also learn a lot from their best practices that we can bring back to North Dakota and possibly implement them in our own procedures.”

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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Source: United States Army

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — Forty New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade coordinated aviation support during Vibrant Response 2026, a large-scale homeland response exercise held April 22–29 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

The exercise prepares military forces to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents within the United States. This marked the first time New York Army National Guard Soldiers participated in Vibrant Response, which was first established in 2009.

Vibrant Response is a command post exercise, meaning no aircraft physically flew during the training. Instead, units operated in a simulated environment designed to test coordination, communication and decision-making during a large-scale domestic emergency.

The annual exercise brought together active-duty, Reserve and National Guard units alongside the Federal Emergency Management Agency, local law enforcement and emergency responders to strengthen coordination during national emergencies.

The New York Soldiers supported both Task Force 76 and Task Force 46 during the exercise as part of the LOWCOM structure, which coordinates specialized response capabilities during domestic emergencies.

“The overall objective is to validate the task force’s ability to respond to a CBRNE event within the United States and integrate with other military units to provide defense support of civil authorities,” said Maj. Richard Siracusano, the Task Force 76 aviation officer.

As the aviation element supporting the LOWCOM mission structure, the 42nd ECAB simulated rotary-wing aviation operations during a nuclear response scenario. Soldiers coordinated simulated casualty evacuation missions, personnel movement, supply transport and aviation support operations in areas where infrastructure was considered damaged or unusable.

“Our aviation unit plays an important role in any defense support of civil authorities operation,” Siracusano said. “We are able to move personnel and supplies quickly across areas where roadways or bridges may be impassable.”

Throughout the exercise, Soldiers operated in a fast-paced environment where missions and updates were continuously pushed from higher headquarters, requiring rapid decision-making and communication across multiple sections.

“The objective is to certify a task force’s ability to respond to a national emergency,” said Maj. Matthew Ian Robbins, Task Force 46 aviation officer in charge assigned to the 42nd .

For many junior Soldiers, the exercise was their first experience working inside a tactical operations center and supporting a mission at this scale.

“I came in not really knowing what to expect,” said Spc. Kira Belladora. “At first it was challenging, but now I feel a lot more confident understanding my role and how everything connects.”

Leaders intentionally introduced uncertainty early in the exercise to replicate real-world conditions where incomplete information and rapidly changing situations are common.

“There was a lot of learning at the beginning,” Robbins said. “We asked junior Soldiers to step into roles they normally wouldn’t fill, and now they’re operating with confidence.”

Soldiers gained experience in mission planning, staff operations and communication while learning how their responsibilities support the larger mission.

“We have a lot of new Soldiers that have never seen how a tactical operations center operates,” said Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie Kyle. “Getting this exposure is great for them because now they are receiving hands-on experience.”

Leaders said the exercise reinforced the importance of coordination between military units and civilian agencies during domestic emergencies.

“It really shows how the military integrates with local, state and federal partners during a crisis,” Siracusano said. “That’s especially important for National Guard Soldiers.”

“From day one to now, the growth has been tremendous,” Robbins said. “I’m confident junior Soldiers can continue executing the mission.”