Category: Security

Source: United States Army

Meet Steven Rakestraw, a postal operation clerk at the USAG Wiesbaden Postal Service Center. Rakestraw has been a member of the community for over four years.

How long have you been part of the USAG Wiesbaden Community? / How long have you been with the post office?

I’ve been in Germany for coming on fourteen years. It’s been wonderful for me, mainly because I reconnected with the love of my life, whom I met 41 years ago, and that’s why I came back to Germany.

I started in Heidelberg in 2012, and that was when Heidelberg was closing, and then I got transferred to Kaiserslautern, and I worked there until I got picked up here at Wiesbaden four years ago. By far I love the Wiesbaden Garrison, it’s great.

Could you walk me through your typical workday?

Every day starts with a team meeting. We get our assignments for the day while we’re in the meeting, and we get news about the garrison and current events – things relevant to the post office and our operation specifically. Also, we meet new team members and bid farewell to those who are moving on.

After the team meeting, we divide up and start either processing parcels or setting up for open-door operations like parcel pickup, finance, in and out processing, and official mail. That’s usually until lunchtime. We have a split lunch, which means someone has to cover for the window while the other person has gone to lunch. This is so that we can keep the windows open for the parcel pickup and finance, which is our outgoing mail.

After lunch, we process parcels if we can, but we also have to contend with the delivery truck coming in. Now, the delivery truck is going to dictate the rest of the day. If there is a large delivery, then we are going to be spending the rest of the day and maybe part of the next morning, getting the mail sorted into its appropriate areas, so that can take us right up until the close of business, end of day.

What’s something you wish the community knew about your job?

It’s really hard to see from outside the building what is going on behind those lockers. And the sheer numbers of first-class mail and parcels that come through, I think, would be a surprise to many people within the garrison. Now, we’re fortunate enough to have people who come in sometimes that are assigned to us, (such as volunteers) which is very occasional. However, we are pushing the mail for well over 7,000, almost 7,500 mail receptacles and smart lockers. So it’s a lot of stuff moving, and it’s a dance; it’s a coordination that we have to do. Unless a person could see it and could actually get behind the scenes and observe the operations, they won’t understand. I think it would boggle their mind if they did see it. There are a lot of moving parts.

So that is the main thing that I think would surprise people, is just the magnitude of what goes on inside the post office.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Oh, that’s easy. I love customer service. That’s my thing, and I enjoy the parcel pickup, uniting customers with their treasures. That is like the best thing in the world. You know, a box from Grandma at Christmas or a car part that they needed. This is a wonderful feeling for me, and I really get a kick out of that.

On the other side, with the finance window, a lot of questions come in, and I tend to catch people before they start looking around for the question to ask them, “Hey, do you need something? Is there something here?” It’s part of my makeup that I want to reach out and help those who find the process difficult and make it easier for them, because then they go away, and they don’t feel like it’s a chore or something they had to fight through.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Well, the only thing I would really suggest is that for those who are confounded by why the post office doesn’t work the way they perceive it should work, it would be great if they would come in and volunteer. It doesn’t take long, not even an hour or a couple of hours. We appreciate every hand that can come in and assist us. If I can encourage someone to come behind the scenes, see what it’s really like, get the understanding of it, and then be able to appreciate that and share that with others, that would be great. Other volunteers in the past have done this as well.

I think the main thing I would wish, is for the community to come see what postal operations is like, because I was amazed when I first got here. After all, this is a big post office, and I really think that the community should be proud of what they have here with us.

—
Courtesy contribution by Lavender Pate, a Career Practicum Placement student at Wiesbaden High School, working with the Garrison Public Affairs Office.

Source: United States Army

CHON BURI PROVINCE, Thailand — Six Soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard partnered with members of the Royal Thai Army to conduct a Stryker Leader Course subject matter expert exchange from Jan. 19 – Feb. 6, in Ko Chan District, Chon Buri Province, Thailand, strengthening tactical knowledge and reinforcing the long-standing relationship between the two forces.

The training brought together Washington National Guard Soldiers from Joint Force Headquarters and the 1st Battalion, 205th Regimental Training Institute with Royal Thai Army Soldiers from the 11th Infantry Division, including the 111th Infantry Battalion and the 112th Stryker Regiment. The exchange was conducted as part of the State Partnership Program between Washington state and Thailand.

The Stryker Leader Course was designed to increase the Royal Thai Army’s ability to safely operate and effectively employ its Stryker vehicle fleet. Over several weeks, Washington Guard instructors shared technical knowledge and practical experience with Thai Soldiers through classroom instruction and hands-on training.

Course topics covered a wide range of essential Stryker operations, including safety procedures, preventive maintenance checks and services, vehicle recovery methods, driver’s compartment operations, hand-and-arm signals, tire replacement and hub isolation. Participants also trained on Stryker weapon systems, the commander’s remotely operated weapon station (CROWS), load planning, and vehicle movement and formations.

“This training allows us to exchange knowledge and build on the capabilities of both forces,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ricky Thomas, superintendent at the Washington Army National Guard’s Maneuver Area Training Equipment Sites at the Yakima Training Center. “Working side by side strengthens interoperability and helps ensure that soldiers are confident and capable when operating these systems.”

This iteration marked the seventh Stryker Leader Course subject-matter expert exchange with Royal Thai Army units since September 2022. The repeated engagements reflect the continued commitment of both militaries to developing professional skills and strengthening cooperation through regular training opportunities.

“The training increased knowledge and practical experience in operating and employing the Stryker platform with our Royal Thai Army partners, enhancing their ability to safely maneuver and sustain the vehicles in operational environments,” said Thomas. “These engagements also reinforce the enduring partnership between Washington state and Thailand through the State Partnership Program, which promotes military-to-military cooperation, shared expertise, and regional security through recurring training and exchanges.”

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

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma National Guard firefighters and aviation crews recently completed wildfire suppression operations across the state after dry, windy conditions sparked multiple fires in February.

Authorized by Gov. Kevin Stitt at the request of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, the response included 16 wildland firefighters working near Talihina, Tahlequah and Stilwell. Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters equipped with 660-gallon water buckets and their crews also remained on standby throughout the mission.

“Having the capacity to deploy firefighters trained through our wildland firefighting program gives our state added flexibility when managing these emergencies,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Walter, assistant adjutant general–Army for the Oklahoma National Guard. “We’re proud of the opportunity to work alongside our partners at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as part of a coordinated effort to serve the people of Oklahoma.”

The Guardsmen were broken up into different firefighting modules designed to serve unique mission sets.

The first module, supplemented by Type 6 fire engines and personnel from the Oklahoma Forestry Services, supported containment efforts by cutting handlines and clearing ladder fuels, such as low tree limbs, which can carry flames into the canopy.

Handlines are narrow strips of land cleared down to bare soil to remove vegetation and help stop the spread of fire.

Module two supported Oklahoma Forestry dozer operations, cut approximately 1.5 miles of handline and hiked three to 5 miles each day through rough terrain, scanning for smoke and preventing new flare-ups.

“[Our crew] responded to the Box Springs fire, which was approximately 1,000 acres, and the Highway 63 fire,” said Brian Weatherford, the Oklahoma Military Department’s wildland firefighting program manager and crew boss for module two. “Oklahoma Forestry received us with open arms and took multiple opportunities to plug us into the response effectively.”

According to Weatherford, since its inception, the program has trained more than 100 red-card certified firefighters, about 80 of whom were available for activation during this most recent mission.

Guardsmen in the program come from across the force, including infantry, engineering and logistics units. Some of the Guardsmen who served on this mission are also full-time civilian firefighters in their own communities.

The wildfire missions came just weeks after the Oklahoma National Guard was activated to assist stranded motorists during severe winter storms.

With Oklahoma’s spring severe weather season just around the corner, the quick transition from snow response to fire suppression underscores the Guard’s commitment to protecting lives and mitigating property damage regardless of conditions.

“Severe weather in Oklahoma is no longer seasonal, every season carries its own risk,” Walter said. “Having programs already in place, like the Wildland Firefighting Program, like our [stranded motorists assistance and recovery teams] teams, ensures that the Oklahoma National Guard is ready to respond to whatever nature throws our way.”

With fire season only beginning, the OKARNG remains “Always Ready, Always There” to support when called upon.

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

WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) activated the 260th Special Purpose Brigade on March 7 at the D.C. Armory, establishing the only brigade in the U.S. Army specifically designed to coordinate military support to civil authorities and protect critical infrastructure in the nation’s capital.

The brigade was created in response to Executive Order 14339 and a subsequent directive from the secretary of war, which called for the immediate establishment, training and equipping of a dedicated National Guard unit capable of supporting public safety operations and strengthening coordination between military forces and civilian security partners in the District.

Brig. Gen. Craig Maceri, land component commander for DCNG, presided over the activation ceremony as Soldiers stood in formation and the brigade’s colors were uncased — a military tradition signaling that a unit has been formally activated and is ready for duty.

“The activation of the 260th Special Purpose Brigade represents the deliberate execution of national guidance,” Maceri said. “This unit provides the critical command and control structure that enables us to execute a broad spectrum of scalable operations while effectively integrating with our federal and district partners.”

The brigade will serve as a command-and-control headquarters responsible for coordinating military support to civil authorities, enabling National Guard forces to rapidly integrate with federal and local agencies responsible for safeguarding the capital.

Washington presents a unique operational environment. Within the District sit the constitutional institutions of the federal government, foreign embassies, national monuments and millions of annual visitors. Protecting that environment requires close coordination between military forces and civilian agencies during major national events, security operations and emergencies.

Among the brigade’s key partners is the U.S. Marshals Service, which regularly works alongside the DCNG during security operations in the capital.

“Partnerships like this are essential in Washington,” said U.S. Marshal Jurgen Soekhoe. “The 260th Special Purpose Brigade brings a level of coordination and readiness that allows federal law enforcement and the National Guard to operate as a unified team when security demands it.”

Col. Lawrence Doane, commander of the 260th Special Purpose Brigade, said the brigade structure ensures continuous coordination with partner agencies while maintaining the ability to expand rapidly when missions require additional forces.

“This brigade gives us an operational foundation for unity of effort,” Doane said. “It ensures continuity of planning and coordination so that when the situation changes, we can respond quickly and with clarity.”

The brigade also reflects the unique federal role of the DCNG, which reports directly to the president rather than to a state or territorial governor. That structure places the organization at the center of national-level security planning for the capital.

The unit’s new patch connects the brigade’s modern mission with its historical lineage. The design features three red stars and two red bars drawn from the District of Columbia flag, itself derived from the coat of arms of George Washington’s family.

The brigade carries forward the heritage of the 260th Military Police Command, a DCNG headquarters brigade that for decades coordinated military police operations supporting civil authorities and emergency response across the District until its inactivation in 2011. Its lineage reflects a longstanding mission of integrating National Guard forces with federal and local partners to protect critical institutions and maintain security in the nation’s capital.

At the center of the patch is an upright, unsheathed sword representing the brigade’s role in providing security and safeguarding the people who live, work and visit the nation’s capital.

“This new patch reflects something bigger,” Doane said. “It represents our commitment to protecting every person who sets foot in the Nation’s Capital.”

With the uncasing of its colors, the 260th Special Purpose Brigade begins its mission as a dedicated force supporting public safety, infrastructure protection and civilian–military coordination in Washington.

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

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — The U.S. Army has cleared the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade for full material release. Developed by the Capabilities Program Executive Ammunition and Energetics, CPE A&E, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal, the M111 OHG will replace the obsolete body and fuze of the Mk3A2 hand grenade series, marking the first new lethal hand grenade to achieve full material release since 1968 when the Mk3A2 entered service. The Mk3A2 is restricted for use due to its asbestos body, unlike the M111 which utilizes a plastic body that is fully consumed during detonation.

The M111 will provide increased training and operational readiness while providing the Soldier with a safer option. It also offers Soldiers the ability to fight more effectively in closed quarter urban environments by leveraging blast overpressure, BOP, instead of fragmentation to deliver lethality. When used in grenades, BOP delivers devastating effects to enemy personnel and equipment without fragmentation and is a potent tactical advantage in the field. The M67 fragmentation hand grenade projects lethal and incapacitating fragments that can be deflected when employed in enclosed, restricted terrain like buildings, rooms and structures, whereas the M111 OHG projects high BOP effects that are less affected by obstacles in enclosed and restricted terrain.

“One of the key lessons learned from the door-to-door urban fighting in Iraq was the M67 grenade wasn’t always the right tool for the job. The risk of fratricide on the other side of the wall was too high,” explained Col. Vince Morris, Project Manager Close Combat Systems, CPE A&E. “But a grenade utilizing BOP can clear a room of enemy combatants quickly leaving nowhere to hide while ensuring the safety of friendly forces.”

In open terrain, the Soldier will employ the M67 to maximize lethal fragment effects, whereas in enclosed and restricted terrain, Soldiers will employ the M111 to maximize BOP effects on the enemy.

“We’ve given our Soldiers and joint warfighters the flexibility to determine in the field which type of grenade will best suit the current situation they are facing, be it open space or confined area,” explained Tiffany Cheng, one of the DEVCOM Armaments Center engineers that developed the M111 at Picatinny Arsenal.

Another major benefit of the new M111 design is standardization. The new grenade and its training version, the M112, leverage the same five-step arming process as the M67 and its training version, the M69, allowing Soldiers to train as they fight, improving combat performance and effectiveness. In addition, the M111 and M112 use the same fuzes as the M67 and M69 respectively, thereby enabling Army acquisition professionals to save costs by leveraging economies of scale made possible by common fuze production lines when sourcing both grenades. Both grenades also have government-owned intellectual property that enables the Army to effectively compete production contracts across the industrial base, enhancing production opportunities for multiple vendors while providing best value to our customers, the Soldiers and the taxpayer.

“By standardizing the arming process and the fuzing, the Army saves taxpayer money without sacrificing lethality on the battlefield,” said Morris. “This is the kind of acquisition reform that is currently underway throughout the Army acquisition enterprise. We are taking advantage of that initiative to drive down costs while increasing combat effectiveness.”

Source: United States Army

USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – A fire inspector with the Directorate of Emergency Team at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria – Hohenfels received recognition from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter March 9, 2026, for her dedication to job and community.

Theresa Hecht has been with DES since September 2022 and has since made an impact across the community because of her passion for fire safety and her engagement with many other on-post organizations.

Adam Moore, the chapter commander of VFW Post 10557, commended Hecht’s ability to build relationships within the community as he presented her a plaque.

“We wanted to present you this award because your relationships matter,” Moore said. “In an environment like this, where we have Americans working alongside Germans, and then we’re working alongside the rest of Europe when they come through here, how you present yourself and how you interact is very important.”

Hecht has taken part in several on-post community events, such as the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Trunk-or-Treat Halloween event. She has also introduced herself at the Child Development Center to demonstrate that firefighters are nothing for the preschool-age children to fear despite their bulky suits and masks.

When the members of VFW Post 10557 decided to renew the Public Servant of the Year award recently, it was Hecht’s involvement in so many aspects of garrison life that brought her immediately to the organization’s mind.

“A lot of our members are also part of other associations, such as Boy Scouts, BOSS, MWR, USO, etcetera,” said Moore. “When I asked who should we nominate, it was unanimously decided that Theresa Hecht should be the person.”

“Thank you for choosing me,” said Hecht. “Thank you to the people who believed in me.”

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas – U.S. Army and allied leaders are wrestling with how to win on battlefields of new technologies that are challenging armored maneuver.

The U.S. Army Command and General Staff College U.S. students and allied partners learn to execute multi-domain operations as part of joint or multi-national teams.

Through curriculum and exercises like Eagle Owl, students earn valuable knowledge and skills to conduct division-level combat operations in modern warfare.

U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Commandant Col. Ethan Diven provided the keynote address for the British Covering Force Symposium 2026 with focus on changing character of war, and how armored forces are adapting to new realities.

The conversation is a direct continuation of CGSC’s global focus and the larger Army’s commitment to sharing lessons learned with allies and partners to solve common problems.

“This is the way that we are going to fight [jointly with British military],” Diven said. “If we don’t agree that we are not good enough yet; the tech that we’re experimenting with is getting to some people, but not all the right people and not in the right time; and making sure our leaders are using clear language, we’re going to continue to struggle. I share your sense of urgency. I share your lack of satisfaction with how fast we are going.”

The audience of officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the U.K.’s three armored and recce brigades, had vested interest in how to move their forces’ calvary capabilities by examining challenges emerging from the Russia-Ukraine War.

Near omnipresent enemy and defensive drones (among other emerging technologies) has changed how armored, combined arms teams plan for tactical success, Diven explained.

Making initial non-human contact with enemy forces has become increasingly important, encouraging experimentation with how the Army sequences and integrates drones and other recon-strike platforms ahead of crewed fighting vehicles.

Old armored team tactics and techniques in today’s rapidly changing battlefield creates high-value risk, Diven explained.

“Reconnaissance professionals, and reconnaissance organizations, do not just exist, but will continue to demonstrate their relevance by helping inform a commander’s decision to be violent. To commit, not just robots, but ultimately humans to fight and win,” he said.

New technologies like artificial intelligence, digital collaborative command and control platforms and data-driven decisions, are influencing how commanders see, describe, and direct forces.

These advancements, while allowing more refined, high-speed tactical actions, are generating secondary effects easily detected by increasing overhead surveillance: signatures.

Contemporary command posts and those of a decade ago share only two commonalities: being housed under a “giant circus tent” and being a buzz of activity.

Today’s CP activity generates more enemy-detectable information than ever before, Diven explained, challenging maneuver across the board.

This detriment to movement was a common observation in his role as the commander of an Armored Brigade Team and commander of operations for the National Training Center.

“I was much more comfortable to be where the action was, to confirm what is being told to me over the radio or the digital common operating picture with my own eyes, talking to that sergeant that is seeing and fighting, to build my understanding. That comes with risk… and that is likely not the best decision or the best use of assets anymore.”

How can armored forces fight effectively without commander’s orchestrating shoulder to shoulder with their teams?

Clear communication.

Not just verbally but through a set of concise, orders products, and leader interactions.

“Have you provided a simple, clear, understandable series of products that can stand the test of not just time, but continuous contact?” Diven said. “The 200-page word document that is complemented by the 50 PowerPoint slide deck, with a series of annexes that are only enabled by unlocked series of passwords that require an incredible amount of bandwidth. aren’t super helpful for the platoon or the koi [company] that can only communicate over TACSAT.”

Commanders who communicate clearly, and staff who challenge them to do so, enable subordinates to execute at speed, in fiercely contested environments.

Gone are the days of planners and command teams gathering around acetate maps, Diven explained.

Officers and NCO’s now use digital collaborative and synchronization programs and training to operate differently and at greater tempo.

Students at CGSC are learning the intricacies of these planning and execution tools to be capable and ready leaders upon arrive to assigned commands.

“We have to deliberately disaggregate ourselves and figure out how to conduct decentralized planning, decentralized coordination, and look like other small elements at the platoon at most size and move our command posts at the battalion squadron at tactical level,” Diven said.

As armor forces adapt to fight new enemy capabilities and warfare as a whole, Diven encouraged a transformation in command culture, to enable units to operate more effectively.

Culture shifts include in traditional sequential training schedules and embracing the “uncomfortable” associated with stepping off the normal path of training and technology adoption.

“Our Secretary of War, that entire department, down to platoon level, is embracing a culture of experimentation,” Diven said. “It is not waiting for the Army to give us the tool to try to train with.”

The U.S. and British Army have more than a century of experience fighting together, driving the importance of continued training and lessons sharing.

The Covering Force Symposium, which included most officers and NCOs of the British armored force, was an opportunity for American and British warfighters to discuss shared challenges and potential solutions.

“I’m excited to not just fight together in the future, but to collaborate on how we’ve got to get better,” Diven said.