Category: Security

Source: United States Army

FORT HOOD, Texas — Fort Hood launched its annual Army Emergency Relief campaign March 10 with community events to raise awareness of resources and services available to Soldiers and their families.

The kickoff began at the Clear Creek Exchange food court, where Soldiers, family members and civilians gathered for the Takeover Tuesday event to learn more about the program and meet leaders supporting the campaign.

Soldiers, family members and civilians gather during a bowling event marking the Army Emergency Relief campaign kickoff March 10 at Phantom Warrior Lanes at Fort Hood. The event highlighted financial assistance resources available to Soldiers and their families.

Photo by Eric Franklin, Fort Hood Public Affairs

Michael “Tony” Grinston, CEO of AER and the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, joined Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Vargas, a social media personality known as Viva La Vargas, to speak with attendees about the role the organization plays in supporting the Army community.

“I served three and a half decades in the Army, culminating as the sergeant major of the Army,” Grinston said. “Now I get to serve as the CEO of Army Emergency Relief, and I love it. I love helping Soldiers and their families.”

AER is the Army’s nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Soldiers and their families facing unexpected financial hardship. Since its founding in 1942, the organization has provided financial assistance to millions across the Army community.

The program offers no-interest loans, grants and scholarships to eligible service members, including active-duty Soldiers, retirees and National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers serving on qualifying active-duty orders, as well as their family members and surviving spouses.

The organization can assist with urgent financial needs including emergency travel, housing costs, utilities, vehicle repairs, and medical or dental expenses.

For many Soldiers, the program becomes most meaningful during life’s most difficult moments.

“The first time I needed it was an emergency to get home for a funeral, so it definitely helped out,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jaquan Eggleston, a combat medic, 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command. “Later, when I was a drill sergeant, I was able to help one of my Soldiers get the same kind of support.”

Grinston said expanding grant support has been a priority since he became CEO, so Soldiers facing emergencies do not have to rely on high-interest credit.

“Last year we had the highest dollar amount of grants in the history of Army Emergency Relief,” he said. “We gave away a little over $13 million in grants and about $6.6 million in scholarships. A lot of people think we only do loans, but we also provide grants so Soldiers can get help and not have to pay it back.”

Grinston said his own experience inspired one of the organization’s most significant recent changes: making emergency travel assistance a full grant rather than a loan.

“My mother passed away when I was the sergeant major of the Army,” Grinston said. “I had to buy a plane ticket, fly down to see her, come back, then fly back again when she passed away. Then my flight got delayed and I had to get a hotel. I remember racking up all those bills and thinking how a Soldier would pay for all that.”

Grinston said stigma surrounding financial struggles can sometimes prevent Soldiers from seeking help.

“I really think the biggest barrier for Soldiers is the stigma of asking for help,” he said. “They don’t want to tell their chain of command they’re struggling financially.”

Later in the afternoon, the campaign continued at Phantom Warrior Lanes, where Soldiers and families gathered for a bowling event featuring prizes and giveaways while learning more about available resources.

Spc. Ashley Billings, secretary for the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program at Fort Hood, said programs like AER are important because financial challenges can affect anyone.

“It’s important for Soldiers to know about programs like Army Emergency Relief because even if you’re single or married, financial issues can still come up,” Billings said.

The annual AER campaign runs through June 14 and encourages voluntary donations from Soldiers, civilians and families across the Army community.

Grinston said the most important message for Soldiers is simple: help is always available.

“We’re going to be here for Soldiers 365 days a year,” he said. “If you need financial assistance, don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Donations are encouraged during the Fort Hood AER campaign but are welcome year-round.

To donate, visit give.armyemergencyrelief.org/site/TR/Events/General?pg=team&team_id=1722&fr_id=1060.

More information about AER and its programs is available at armyemergencyrelief.org.

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – The Euro-Atlantic security architecture is currently undergoing transformation while U.S. allies work to strengthen the European pillar in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Cultural and Area Studies Office hosted the fourth panel of the academic year to discuss U.S. and European partner perspectives on these topics March 12, 2026.

“If Russia were to move rapidly against the Baltic states, could NATO effectively defend its territory? What is next for the Euro-Atlantic security architecture by 2027 and beyond?” Dr. Mahir J. Ibrahimov, CASO Director, asked rhetorically as he set the stage for the discussion.

Colonel Thibaud Thomas, French Embassy Military Attaché, highlighted key points of the 2025 French National Strategic Review and shared concrete examples of the country’s commitment to NATO’s collective security.

“Basically, we believe that there is no major security threat to Europe that wouldn’t concern France and we agreed with Germany and other European partners to have a political, operational, and technical dialogue on the nuclear issues,” Thomas said.

In addition to nuclear deterrence, Thomas discussed countering the Russian ‘Dark Fleet’ and being one of 35 nations in the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in support of Ukraine.

“France is investing in its defense. We heard the call for an increased burden sharing and we think that makes sense. We are committed to contributing to an increased European strategic awakening,” Thomas said.

Dr. Eike Buellesbach, German Embassy Deputy Branch Head, emphasized the importance of the U.S.-German relationship, strengthening the European pillar, and keeping the alliance strong.

“Germany has initiated significant changes in its security policy. It’s an ongoing process which was initiated after the Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2022,” Buellesbach said.

This includes heavy increases to German defense spending through significant investment in its army and equipment while also actively engaging in NATO vigilance activities.

“The best example for us to showcase that Germany is putting an emphasis here is the 5,000-troop brigade that we will be deploying to Lithuania to protect NATO’s eastern flank to contribute to NATO’s deterrence. This will start by 2027 and it’s well underway,” Buellsbach explained.

LTC Jamal A. Khan, a Eurasian Foreign Area Officer and CGSC instructor, explained the diminishing Russian influence in the South Caucasus, the Russian Federation’s role as the primary driver of instability in the region, and implications for NATO.

“Russia often positions itself as both the arsonist and firefighter, starting crises in the region and then magically appearing to solve them for everyone else, but the invasion of Ukraine has reduced Moscow’s bandwidth to do so,” he said.

Fraught relationships in the region have created a power vacuum, providing opportunity for nations like Turkey, Iran, and China to expand military and economic ties.

“For the U.S., the question is ‘whose influence will shape this region’s future?’” Khan said.

Recent diplomacy efforts and economic initiatives by the Trump administration were offered as solutions to reinforce stability in the region where military dominance has failed.

LTC Drew Shealy, FAO [H(1]and CGSC instructor discussed the current state of the NATO alliance and highlighted ongoing successes in Euro-Atlantic security.

“Despite the headlines we see today, the alliance is arguably stronger now than it has been in decades and the United States continues to see it as central to our security strategy,” Shealy stated.

Shealy explained that calls for Europe to increase its own defense efforts and discussions about burden sharing and strategic autonomy are not new or a sign of failure, but a sign of adaptation.

“The 2026 National Defense Strategy makes it clear that the United States must prioritize homeland defense in Indo-Pacific while expecting allies to take a greater responsibility in their regional security,” Shealy said.

The U.S. will continue to provide critical capabilities.

“Europe is becoming a more capable security partner and the alliance as whole remains one of the most successful and durable security arrangements in modern history. So, if we think about the future of Euro-Atlantic security, the question is not whether NATO will endure. History suggests it will. The real question is how the alliance will continue evolving to meet the next generation of security challenges together.” Shealy concluded.

The CASO panel series is conducted regularly with partner organizations to provide CGSC constituents with expert analysis and informed discussion. The series goal is to enhance collective understanding of the global and regional geopolitical dynamics, to enhance leaders’ understanding of the security environment and enable them to make informed decisions and drive effective solutions.

The full panel can be viewed on the CGSC YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@USArmyCGSC/streams

Source: United States Army

At the center of this effort is Ray Domenech, the USAG Wiesbaden installation emergency manager. He joined the Garrison team about a year and a half ago, bringing with him over three decades of Army emergency management experience.

Although this is the Garrison’s third exercise in the last year, Domenech explained that this one is unique because it involved multiple situations that need to be addressed simultaneously.

“It’s pretty intense,” Domenech said. “It gives the staff a lot of work; it gives the staff a lot to think about. Because in real life, incidents are not always isolated. Sometimes it happens one on top of the other. So, we need to be ready to react.”

On one occasion during the exercise, the Garrison was faced with a notional water outage, death on the installation, and fire at the Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic—all within a few hours.

A critical piece to the Garrison’s preparedness arsenal is its host nation partnerships. During the exercise, the Garrison’s Emergency Operations Center welcomed first responders with Technisches Hilfswerk, the German federal civil protection agency, who shared information about their mission and capabilities.

The Garrison was also visited by German Air Force representatives with Landeskommando Hessen, who provided an overview of their response protocols and shared their experience with real-life downed aircraft incidents.

“There are circumstances in which we need their support,” Domenech said. “So, training with them is the right way to understand their capabilities, and for them to understand how we operate and what we can offer them in case we’re the ones supporting them.”

The weeklong exercise culminated in a simulated aviation crash Thursday on the Wiesbaden Army Airfield.

Plumes of smoke, actors covered in fake blood, and even a fake military working dog added to the realism as Garrison firefighters rushed to extinguish a fire and evacuate the injured. U.S. Army Soldiers with the Wiesbaden Army Health Clinic and Military Police also responded by assessing the casualties and triaging personnel.

At the end of the exercise, USAG Wiesbaden Commander Col. Troy Danderson thanked his staff and reminded them about the importance of their work.

“In the event of a crisis, the Garrison’s immediate job is to keep the community safe,” Danderson said. “But the missions of the units we serve must continue. We must continue to support them under any circumstance. It’s a balancing act that takes continuous practice and preparation.”

Source: United States Army

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A request from higher headquarters crackled over the radio of a Texas National Guard drone team: U.S. Border Patrol agents needed immediate aerial support.

A nearby homeowner had reported two people moving through thick brush in the dark near the Rio Grande. Border Patrol agents searched the area on foot without locating the individuals, who were suspected of an unlawful border crossing.

Within minutes, a Soldier and an Airman with the Texas Guard’s 640th Technology Integration Cell deployed their unmanned aircraft system.

The cell carries out observation flights along the border as part of Operation Lone Star, a Texas Guard mission to deter illegal border crossings and interdict drug smuggling and other criminal activity along the border in support of state and federal agencies.

“When I called you up, we were about to call it quits,” a Border Patrol agent said to the team.

The observation drone’s rotors buzzed as it lifted from its landing pad, the sound softening as it climbed several hundred feet into the night sky. Operators used its thermal cameras to scan the riverbank and dense brush below, monitoring the live feed on a tablet display.

“Our teams directly support Operation Lone Star task forces through small, unmanned aircraft systems and observation vehicle capabilities,” said U.S. Army Capt. Stephen Landrum, a drone pilot and officer in charge of C Flight, 640th TIC. “We integrate with state and federal partners across multiple mission sets, from border security to disaster response, ensuring commanders and agencies have the information they need to make decisions.”

From that elevated position, the drone team assessed in seconds areas that would take ground personnel significant time to search on foot, providing real-time information to partner agencies.

“That extra vantage point lets us expand coverage into areas they can’t see and react more quickly,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Clemente, a drone pilot with the 640th TIC.

The rough terrain in the Rio Grande Valley presents challenges for ground elements, especially at night. Aerial overwatch allows information to move quickly to those who need it.

“Anything that looks suspicious gets passed directly to our partners,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sara Ramon, a drone pilot with the 640th TIC. “From there, they take action.”

Texas Guard units began integrating small, unmanned aircraft systems into border operations in 2023. That year saw roughly $1.8 million in narcotics confiscations, with similar results in 2024 and 2025, said Texas Guard officials.

This year, with an increased focus on small drones, confiscations have already exceeded $5.8 million. Texas Guard officials said the added aerial perspective has helped partner agencies apprehend members of transnational criminal organizations and prevent narcotics from moving farther into the U.S.

Ramon attributed the increase in narcotics interdictions and related apprehensions to unmanned systems becoming part of routine border operations and partner coordination. Continued presence in the same areas has also allowed UAS crews to become familiar with the terrain and movement patterns, thereby increasing deterrence.

“We work the same areas repeatedly,” Ramon said. “You start recognizing patterns and understanding where activity usually happens.”

That familiarity allows crews to reposition aircraft more quickly and communicate specific locations and landmarks more precisely with partner agencies.

Clemente, a Rio Grande Valley native, said serving in the region carries personal significance.

“It feels like you’re protecting your hometown,” he said. “You don’t want violent offenders or drugs coming into your community.”

The same unmanned systems used in border operations are also deployed during Texas Guard hurricane and flood responses and statewide search and rescue missions. In July 2025, members of the 640th TIC were part of a quick reaction force that responded to catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River in central Texas.

“These platforms support multiple missions,” Ramon said. “We train so they’re ready whether it’s border security, storm response or search and rescue.”

That multifaceted capability reflects how Guard units support both state and federal missions nationwide.

While border security and disaster response are domestic missions, Texas Guard UAS pilots, instructors and maintenance personnel train first and foremost for the combat mission. The training and equipment that prepares them for overseas deployments, force protection and reconnaissance operations under federal authority also enable those same teams to respond when communities and partner agencies need support at home.

National Guard leaders reinforced that approach during the National Guard Drone Dominance Forum in January, emphasizing the need to embed unmanned systems into daily operations rather than treat them as specialized capabilities.

“Drone dominance is no longer theoretical. It’s operationally relevant today,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Todd A. Hofford, vice director of operations, National Guard Bureau.

In December, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum directing the War Department to prioritize drone dominance and accelerate the integration of unmanned systems across the force.

Hofford noted that Guard units in all 54 states and territories are expanding unmanned aircraft training and employment as part of Army and Air Force doctrinal shifts. Operator and instructor courses have been built to sustain training pipelines, and units have hosted capability integration events to test tactics and share best practices.

At the Pentagon, Army acquisition leaders are focused on modernization.

Lt. Col. Mike Carroll, product manager for small, unmanned aircraft systems with Program Executive Office Aviation, said this includes accelerating fielding timelines and adapting to evolving operational environments.

“The character of war has changed,” Carroll said. “We have to continue to be innovative and adaptable to stay at the speed of relevance.”

Texas Guard leaders said readiness depends as much on disciplined training and repetition as on equipment.

“Capabilities alone do not create readiness,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Zuwiyya, a UAS operations officer and drone pilot instructor with the Texas Army National Guard. “We have to invest in training and integration, so these systems become part of how we operate.”

Back in Texas, the buzz of small rotors amplified as Clemente guided the drone back to its landing pad. The individuals they were searching for were not located that night, but aerial overwatch enabled partner agents to search the terrain more efficiently and continue operations along the Rio Grande.

For the drone team, it was a mission built on combat training and applied nightly in service to their home state.

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

LIVORNO, Italy – Livorno Elementary Middle School students gathered at the LEMS Media Center on March 13 to lead an immersive math modeling activity.

Divided into four specialized teams, the students demonstrated modern mathematical methodologies to community members in attendance, effectively showcasing both their academic proficiency and their leadership skills.

“The event empowers students to teach parents real world math problems through hands-on modeling and graphing tasks,” said Villet Ferreri, LEMS mathematics teacher. “The primary expectation is for the students to collaboratively teach, model and explain math concepts that each grade level is learning.”

Now in its second year, the event involves all students in grades 6–8. Ferreri noted that the presentation serves a dual purpose: it reinforces the students’ understanding while bridging the gap between the classroom and the home.

“The event also gives the students an opportunity to teach the new modeling techniques and math approaches to their parents, so they are equipped to help with the ‘new’ math at home,” she said.

Reflecting on the presentation, Ferreri expressed high praise for her students’ performance.

“All the students did an amazing job guiding and explaining their reasoning,” she said. “I’m proud of the courage and confidence they displayed and grateful to all the parents and families that came out to support us.”

Source: United States Army

SEMBACH, Germany– For a command whose members are spread across 24 countries, the opportunity to come together is invaluable. U.S. Army NATO leadership convened here for their Quarterly Touch Point February 24-25, uniting command teams from the brigade, its two battalions, and nine companies to sharpen their collective focus.

The event, QTP 26-1, was designed to build a shared understanding of readiness across NATO, identify best practices, and develop confident leaders. The U.S. Army provides Soldiers to NATO at every level, and the U.S. Army NATO Brigade ensures these personnel and their families have the logistical and human resources support they need to remain resilient and ready to support the multinational partnership.

The two-day event was packed with semi-annual training briefs, battalion break-out sessions, morale-building physical fitness, and professional development, all designed to reinforce the unit’s core mission.

Col. Jeremiah D. Pope, commander of the U.S. Army NATO Brigade, kicked off the training by setting a clear objective. He framed the event not as a new beginning, but as a crucial check-in on continuing progress.

“This event is just a continuation of the last time we met,” Pope stated. “I want to see what progress we’ve made since then, focusing in on what training you have conducted to get after the goal of readiness, specifically for your tier-one organizations.”

His subordinate commanders were ready to demonstrate their progress. Lt. Col. Natalie Meng, who commands the Allied Forces South Battalion from Naples, Italy, saw it as a key moment to align with the brigade’s goals. “This is a great opportunity to show you what we’ve been working on in this last quarter,” she explained, “and how we’re going to move forward in the next quarter.”

For company-level leaders, the QTP provided a vital link to the higher echelons of command. Capt. Jennifer Zimmerman, of Company B, Allied Forces South Battalion, highlighted the practical benefits of the sessions.

“It gives us, as a company command team, the opportunity to go over the plans and operations that we would like to have,” she said. The direct feedback from senior leaders is critical, as “it gives them the opportunity to either provide insight or guidance and support as needed from the elements that we may not have readily available to us.”

Beyond the strategic planning, the human element of the gathering proved to be one of its most valuable aspects. For leaders operating in different countries, the simple act of being in the same room was a powerful tool for building cohesion.

Capt. Zimmerman emphasized this, noting that the personal interaction was what she looked forward to the most. “I am just very excited to be essentially reunited with my fellow commanders because we don’t get that time together outside of meetings,” she shared. “So getting to actually meet teammates who are in this command struggle… for me has been my favorite part.”

Capt. Mark Howard, from Company A, Allied Forces North Battalion in Brunssum, Netherlands, echoed that sentiment, stressing the irreplaceable value of face-to-face communication. “There’s something to be said about actually being in front of a person that you can ask the questions and immediately respond to facial cues and body language,” he remarked. “There’s way more to communication than just hearing words.”

Howard explained that this personal connection is the foundation of their unique, geographically dispersed mission. “This is a great event because we are so geographically dispersed and this is one of our few opportunities during the year to all get together,” he said. “QTP 26 allows us an opportunity to really foster an environment of teamwork which helps us with our end goal: taking care of Soldiers and their families and ensuring that our mission is accomplished.”

By the end of the training, the leaders reaffirmed their collective strength. As Pope concluded, the event confirmed that “U.S. Army NATO is trained, capable, and ready to provide Title 10 support and administrative agent execution to enable NATO formations in the implementation of the SACEUR’s (Supreme Allied Commander Europe) guidance for collective deterrence and defense of the alliance.”

U.S. Army NATO supports approximately 800 U.S. Soldiers, with about 725 assigned to NATO billets across 23 European countries and in Norfolk, Virginia. An additional 75 Soldiers are assigned to Military Personnel Exchange Programs and foreign schools.

These 800 Soldiers are supported by a dedicated national support element of some 275 personnel who conduct mission essential training to achieve and maintain rapid deployment readiness, improve interoperability with allies and partners and protect U.S. personnel and interests.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – U.S. and Tanzanian medical professionals completed the first-ever medical readiness exercise at Lugalo General Military Hospital and Msata Military Training Base, Tanzania, March 2-12. The mission served as an operational component of Justified Accord 2026, U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa.

Led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), JA26 focused on readiness, innovation and crisis response. The MEDREX advanced those priorities by testing U.S. medical proficiency in austere, resource-constrained environments and supporting the Nebraska-Tanzania State Partnership Program.

The joint medical team integrated professionals from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force units from the Nebraska National Guard and active-duty forces. The team treated more than 800 patients across 10 distinct medical specialties, including trauma surgery, infectious disease, orthopedic surgery, optometry and pediatrics.

Tanzanian partners identified the required capabilities, shaping the U.S. medical team’s composition.

“We collaborate with the host nation about the types of specialties they prefer,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Angela Ling, a medical officer assigned to the 155th Medical Group, 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard. “It’s not just what Nebraska has available, it’s what they need and desire, and then how do we improve readiness by fulfilling their needs.”

Providing these tailored, host-nation requirements ensures U.S. forces increase their technical proficiency and advance the interoperability required for rapid crisis response. This training promotes shared responsibility and positions African partners to achieve operational independence and lead regional security efforts.

About 20 U.S. military medical personnel provided care alongside Tanzanian counterparts at Lugalo General Military Hospital. Meanwhile, a smaller joint team deployed to the remote village of Msata, testing medical decision-making under severe resource constraints.

Treating unfamiliar regional illnesses, such as malaria, provides military physicians with hands-on experience they cannot replicate in standard U.S. treatment facilities.

“Operating in this austere environment forces us to rely on our foundational clinical skills and adapt to logistical constraints,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Halton Beumer, an ear, nose, throat and facial plastic/reconstructive surgeon assigned to the Surgical Operations Squadron, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston. “The interoperability we build here directly translates to our own operational readiness, ensuring we are prepared to deploy and provide trauma care anywhere in the world.”

Such field training ensures medical units remain tactically prepared to support large-scale combat operations globally.

“At home station, our main priority in the National Guard is ensuring that our Airmen are medically ready to deploy, and then also maintaining our readiness,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Brooke Sciuto, family medicine physician and commander of 155th Medical Group, Nebraska Air National Guard. “Here, we have the great opportunity to provide care and practice our readiness skills.”

The exercise also functioned as a battle lab for the total force. The U.S. Army tested a digital field-medicine tracker for the first time in Africa to quantify operational readiness. Providers logged encounters, procedures, diagnoses and clinical hours through a mobile interface.

Developed by the U.S. Air Force, the Medical Currency Application for Readiness Tracking 2.0 is a cloud-enabled, modular system. The platform aggregates clinical data and adds calculated measures like work-relative value units, as well as joint knowledge, skills and abilities metrics, then populates a near real-time dashboard accessible to leadership.

“The most significant improvements came from the hundreds of end users across the Army, Navy and Air Force who tested the application during operational missions and exercises,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Justin Fo, professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. “Their feedback was critical in improving usability and ensuring the platform met the practical needs of clinicians operating in real-world environments.”

The platform’s ongoing success relies on continuous user-driven feedback from the field. Testing by end users during the exercise ensures the application meets the practical needs of medical personnel.

By synchronizing the state partnership, specialized clinical expertise and digital innovation, this historic MEDREX validated U.S. medical readiness and reinforced the operational value of partnered training in East Africa.

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.

Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS

Source: United States Army

SEMBACH, Germany — In a significant effort to bolster the capabilities of its enlisted leaders, approximately 35 U.S. Army noncommissioned officers from 10 NATO countries convened here for three days of intensive training February 25-27. The event focused on honing the essential skills NCOs need to lead Soldiers, drive readiness, and ensure the operational effectiveness of the U.S. Army across Europe.

The gathering was kicked off by Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Morris Jr. of the U.S. Army NATO Brigade, who immediately addressed the relevant reality for Soldiers serving in the alliance: geographic isolation. “As part of the United States Army’s NATO Brigade, we find ourselves in geographically dispersed places, and sometimes we don’t get together often enough,” Morris said, adding, “And I think that’s why training like this builds camaraderie amongst our teams.”

Morris assured the attendees that the training was meticulously planned to provide maximum value. “We’re going to give you some really good training, some things that are cutting edge, things that are going on right now in the United States Army… But even bigger than that, we’re prepping you to go back to the big Army and do some of the hard-hitting things that are out there.”

A key focus of the training was clarifying the very purpose of their mission. Morris candidly admitted that upon his arrival, there was a fundamental lack of understanding about the brigade’s role. “One of the biggest things that we had a problem with when I walked in the door was people didn’t even know what the U.S. Army NATO does,” he said. To remedy this, the curriculum included a “NATO 101” brief to explain the brigade’s significance. “I don’t want you to feel like a cog in the wheel,” Morris insisted. “I want you to know that you have a part to play in the grand scheme of things in the machine we call the U.S. Army NATO.”

For the NCOs present, the event was a welcome chance not just to train, but to connect. Staff Sgt. Charles Reese, assigned to Allied Forces South Battalion in Naples, Italy, highlighted the importance of personal interaction. “For me personally, with all of us being so dispersed all over Europe, the social aspect to meet and greet, put faces to names, and have conversations is very important,” he said. “The other part is just the training itself, filling in a lot of the blanks of what we don’t know.”

Reese described his experience with U.S. Army NATO as “eye-opening” and a catalyst for personal development. “It’s forced me to grow,” he reflected. “Because you’re tasked with so many things… what it does is it puts you in a position to grow, use attributes that you may not have known that you have, and I think it makes you a better all-around leader because you’re pulled in so many different directions you have to master multi-tasking.”

The sentiment was widely shared, with Reese adding, “I would just say that I think we should do more of these things more often. It’s good to see so many people that I see in emails and I’ve never met before.”

1st Sgt. John Shelton, also from the Naples-based Company B, emphasized the training’s particular benefit for new NCOs who must navigate the complexities of working within a multinational framework. “A lot of my NCOs are new. So, this training is extremely beneficial to them just because there’s a lot of NATO-isms that we don’t know,” Shelton said. He explained that while daily duties might seem similar to the regular Army, integration with NATO introduces unique protocols. “Our NCOs can act as the bridge between their NATO requirements and our national requirements.”

Shelton elaborated on this critical bridging role, describing how his NCOs are tied into NATO’s operational rhythm. “He’s tied into their syncs, their meetings, their touchpoints. So, he relays all that information to me. Then I filter out what is needed on the national side,” Shelton explained. This makes the NCOs indispensable. “But knowing more intuitively what the NATO responsibilities and requirements are,” he continued, “is what makes the training very beneficial for them and for us.”

As the training concluded, Morris expressed his gratitude and underscored the value of their participation. He stressed that feedback is essential for improvement. “The best way that we can get better is by hearing the things that you have to say,” he told the group. “And we are better because of you… We can’t do it without you. Literally.”

His final message was one of unity and mutual support, encouraging the NCOs to build on the connections they had just forged. “It’s important that you all crosstalk because I know some of you are going through the same exact things… because you have shared experiences, right? So lean on each other,” Morris urged. “There’s an office here at Sembach Kaserne full of folks that really care, that want to help… Help us stay informed of what’s going on out there. Come up on the net anytime you need help. We’re here to support.”

U.S. Army NATO includes about 725 U.S. Soldiers assigned to NATO billets across 21 countries in Europe and at the NATO units in Norfolk, Va. U.S. Army NATO also includes another 75 U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Military Personnel Exchange Program and as students at schools of other nations.

These 800 Soldiers are supported by a cadre of some 275 national support element Soldiers who conduct mission essential training to achieve and maintain rapid deployment readiness, improve interoperability with allies and partners and protect U.S. personnel and interests.

Source: United States Army

VICENZA, Italy — When Maj. Brian Bailey pulled into an Austrian rest stop, plumes of black smoke billowed from a tractor-trailer cab engulfed by flames.

Nearby were two people on the ground, dangerously close to the fire. Adrenaline raced through Bailey’s body as he ran toward the blaze. A woman screamed “Help my husband!”

Bailey, a chaplain at U.S. Army Garrison Italy, was returning to Vicenza from a course in Grafenwöhr, Germany, on March 8 when he pulled into to rest area in Angath, about 40 miles northeast of Innsbruck.

One victim, the truck’s driver, was severely burned and unresponsive. The second man, a Lithuanian passerby, had pulled the driver out but fell five feet during the rescue, shattering his leg. His wife had been calling for help.

Bailey, a Tennessee native and Iraq veteran, had been in tense situations before. Soldier training, to include the Combat Lifesaver Course and Combat Medical Ministry training kicked in.

“Those courses prepared me to be a first responder for physical and spiritual injuries and when faced with the reality of the situation,” Bailey said. “The skills I had been taught allowed me to act.”

The trucker, a man from Uzbekistan, was severely burned and bloodied. Bailey and another bystander – a Polish man named Bongo – carefully moved the trucker away from the flames. They gently placed him beside the Lithuanian – Bailey called him Otto – who was on a trip with his wife and nephew.

Bailey helped cut away the trucker’s burned clothes and assessed his injuries. He had shallow breathing and a fast, weak pulse. He and Bongo prepared to conduct CPR, clearing his airway, tilting his head back and elevating his feet. Worried that his heart may stop, Bailey ran into the rest stop and, using his high school-level German, convinced staff to get an automated external defibrillator.

Back outside, they continued to monitor the victims’ vital signs. Bailey told other people to call for help and spoke to the emergency dispatcher through a bystander’s phone, sharing information while continuing to provide care.

Otto, the Lithuanian, was in extreme pain. They didn’t want to move him any further so they did their best to shield him from the heat of the flames, growing higher as the fire consumed the whole front of the truck nearby.

Several loud explosions erupted from the burning cab. Other truckers, using handheld extinguishers, attempted to put the fire out, but their efforts were in vain.

The first Austrian paramedics to arrive didn’t have gear to move the injured. Then Austrian police and ambulances arrived. Bailey helped them move the injured to a safer spot for further care.

“We first placed the burn victim on a litter and moved him to a grassy area away from the fire,” Bailey said. “We then returned for the second man with the broken leg, and I assisted a paramedic in stabilizing his leg with an air splint.”

As the medics worked, Bailey spoke to Otto, offering encouragement. Bailey helped lift Otto into an ambulance, that transported him to the nearby Kufstein District Hospital, according to Austrian news outlets. The driver was airlifted by helicopter to the Murnau am Staffelsee Hospital in Bavaria with severe burns.

During the Initial investigations, police said a technical defect in the driver’s cab caused the fire, according to Austrian news reports.

Reflecting afterward, Bailey thought of his training as an Army chaplain and passages from the Bible – things that helped him process the stressful event. Bailey’s religious beliefs have been at the forefront of his mind since the incident. He believes that his involvement was not by chance. He speaks humbly of the steps he took that afternoon, from the first aid to the comforting words of encouragement that he offered.

“My deepest wish was for my actions to point not to myself, but to the profound hope and compassion that Jesus speaks of,” Bailey said. “I am humbled to have been a small part of the care for the wounded, and I pray that my service brought a glimmer of that divine hope to a very dark situation.”