Category: Security

Source: United States Army

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana Army National Guardsmen with the 113th Engineer Battalion are the latest service members within the Department of War to reap the benefits of the Innovative Readiness Training program.

Soldiers in the Gary-based unit are partnering with the City of Terre Haute to demolish a roughly 60,000-square-foot building on the city’s near north side — a real-world training opportunity for Soldiers who specialize in horizontal construction and operating heavy equipment such as excavators.

Through the Innovative Readiness Training program, or IRT, government entities and nonprofits across the country can coordinate directly with military units to complete real-world projects, such as providing medical services or constructing affordable housing. Since its inception in 1993, the program has supported hundreds of projects across the United States.

The Terre Haute mission gives Hoosier Soldiers two opportunities to conduct specialized training in an urban, civilian environment. In addition to the 113th Engineer Battalion’s work to demolish the former Boys & Girls Club to make way for more housing, the state’s 19th Chemical Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP, Battalion will use the structure for training in June. With expertise in advanced rescue and recovery missions, they will work alongside regional partners to recover hundreds of Flat Stanleys — paper stand-ins for victims — during a simulated building collapse.

Training in an active urban environment also gives Soldiers exposure to variables and conditions that are difficult to simulate in standard training exercises, helping sharpen their readiness for real-world missions at home and abroad. Though the opportunities provided through the IRT program are vast, demolition is a unique opportunity not just for the Indiana National Guard but for the entire U.S. military.

“It is the epitome of war fighter readiness,” said Indiana National Guard Capt. Brandyn Sims, project officer with the 19th CERFP. “Our guys are going to arrive at a building that they have never heard of and never seen before… And be told that there are victims trapped inside and they have to get them out during a 24 hour, non-stop operation.”

Sims helped organize the training opportunity through IRT, which requires a robust review process among federal, state and local governments to ensure that Soldiers involved gain strong experience and training value from the project and that all participating communities and organizations meet strict program eligibility and oversight requirements.

“This provides a great opportunity for my engineers to get training on the equipment in a way that we don’t typically get to use it,” said Indiana Army National Guard Lt. Col. Derek Sutton, commander of the 113th Engineer Battalion. “Demolition is not one of our normal missions, but it is one of our objectives so this helps us stay ready.”

For the 113th Engineer Battalion, demolition involved more than daily operations. Soldiers of all ranks gained experience in site preparation, traffic and pedestrian control, infrastructure evaluations and more. While many of the National Guardsmen bring years of experience from their civilian and military careers, some Soldiers are working with new concepts and equipment.

“I have particularly enjoyed getting to train my teammates out here,” said Sgt. Alexander Sovel, a Soldier in the 113th Engineer Battalion and one of the primary excavator operators on-site. “I love standing next to them and helping them learn and experience the same experience that I have. It has just been a great experience overall to help make this project move faster too.”

Indiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Hector Tinoco contributed to this story.

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

Innovative Readiness Training | defense.gov

Source: United States Army

TAN-TAN, Morocco — U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, Moroccan military mountaineers, and Moroccan Civil Protection recovered the second of two U.S. Soldiers who went missing May 2, near the Cap Draa Training Area, during African Lion 26.

Search and rescue operations have concluded. With both Soldiers accounted for, the focus shifts to recovery and repatriation.

The combined recovery team located and retrieved the Soldier May 12 from a coastal cave roughly 500 meters from where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean. Challenging ocean conditions, coastal terrain and the cave’s accessibility complicated search and recovery operations throughout the effort.

The Soldier was identified as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Taveres, Florida. Collington served as an air and missile defense crew member and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

“The loss of Spc. Collington is a profound loss for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. “Her recovery closes the search for our two missing Soldiers, but our commitment to caring for their Families, friends, and teammates continues. We are grateful to the U.S. and Moroccan forces for their professionalism and support throughout the search efforts.”

More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel participated in the search, covering more than 21,300 square kilometers across sea and littoral zones. U.S. and Moroccan forces applied integrated air, land, sea and subsurface capabilities throughout the operation, including unmanned aerial systems, rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, surface vessels, dive teams, mountaineering teams and ground search elements. Search planners repositioned assets daily based on real-time drift analysis, weather predictions and each platform’s operational capabilities to focus efforts on the highest-probability areas.

“I can’t say enough about the extraordinary efforts of the Moroccan government, our sister services, and Allies,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “They were with us during a difficult time– tireless, determined, and compassionate – to aid in the search for our two missing Soldiers. Their commitment never wavered, and their willingness to do whatever it took to bring our Soldiers home to their families speaks volumes about the strength of our partnership and the character of those who serve.”

Collington entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023 before beginning active-duty service in 2024. She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember. She reported to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025 and was promoted to specialist May 1, 2026.

During her time with Charlie Battery, Collington was known for her character and impact across her battery.

“Spc. Collington was an outstanding Soldier whose unwavering enthusiasm and positive spirit uplifted every environment she entered,” said Capt. Spencer Grider, commander of Charlie Battery, 5-4 ADAR.“Her infectious energy, whether in the office, in the field or among her peers, fostered connection and camaraderie, bringing people together through her genuine warmth and heartfelt sense of humor. Her presence will be greatly missed a cross our formation.”

Collington’s leaders emphasized the unit’s continued support to her Family, friends, and fellow Soldiers.

“Spc. Collington was a bright light in this battalion. To the Soldiers who knew her best and served alongside her each day, she was a treasured friend whose loss leaves a deep and profound void on our team,” said Lt. Col. Chris Couch, the 5-4 ADAR battalion commander. “As we hold her Family, friends, and teammates in our prayers, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the U.S. personnel and Moroccan partners who dedicated themselves to bringing her home.”

Collington’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.

The Soldier’s next of kin have been notified. No further family details will be released at this time.

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported the Soldier’s remains by a Moroccan helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco. On the evening of May 12, Moroccan and U.S. forces conducted a dignified carry at the military airport in Guelmim honoring both Soldiers. The remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. and Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington departed Morocco aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130J and are enroute to the United States.

The incident remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

For media inquiries, contact media@army.mil.

Source: United States Army

Bemowo Piskie, Poland — On May 7, 2026, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area in Poland, three Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) tested a Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with a vendor during the Saber Strike combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) to explore a potential partnership.

A Group 3 UAS weighs greater than 55 pounds and can fly longer distances than smaller sized systems.

“This Saber Strike CALFEX is showing that right now our platoons have a Group 3 asset, where they’re able to communicate with the intel cell and the fire cell,” said 1st Lt. Ethan Moore, UAS platoon leader, 409th Military Intelligence Company, 2CR. “Our drone can cue on the fire’s assets and call for fire on enemy positions at a greater distance than we’ve had before.”

At the CALFEX, Moore was joined by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dalton Kastner, the standardization officer, and Spc. Mason Tomplait, the drone operator. The trio met with the Group 3 UAS vendor to evaluate its technology.

There are many advantages to utilizing a Group 3 UAS, which is considered medium-sized among drone capabilities

“Our short-range reconnaissance drones only go from five to seven kilometers; a medium-range reconnaissance might go 30 or more,” said Moore.

The RQ 7B Shadow is what Kastner knows to be the U.S. Army’s medium-sized drone for roughly 20 years.

Comparing this updated medium-sized drone to the Shadow, Kastner said, “This system has extremely similar capabilities, with a much smaller footprint and a much smaller weight, and for me, that’s a positive. This system also has the vertical takeoff and landing, or VTOL kit, so it’s able to just take off straight up and then transition into forward movement.”

After the drone flew out, mission sets were sent to Moore, who coordinated with Tomplait in control of the gimbal camera on the system.

In real time, they could fly to specific areas of the training area and confirm friendly forces, possible enemy camps and target accuracy – all part of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Today, ISR relies more on machine-driven intelligence rather than the previously human-centered model.

“They’re able to get that long range, very good camera view to see the targets on the ground, to provide accurate targeting grids for us to push fires and to get faster reports,” explained Kastner, “to make those jumps even quicker with accurate and rapid intelligence.”

The combat-support training exercise lasted around 41 hours.

“They’ll be able to use infrared capabilities, and we’ll be able to do everything at night as well,” said Kastner.

With eight years of experience with drones, Kastner feels that the drone was easy to put together and use.

“They even have the controller for manipulating the camera and some of the programmable features in the camera as well, so it’s very user friendly,” said Kastner.

Moore, who’s also an intelligence officer, said the Army needs equipment like this in order for intel cells to find the enemy.

Moore added, “Not only is this craft able to fill a regimental gap in intelligence collection, but it’s also something that’s valid and capable in today’s conflict that we need to enable us for the intelligence collection and fires.”

Moore said when choosing a vendor, they must be able to modify and adapt as new technologies and capabilities emerge.

After departing Poland to evaluate other vendors’ drone systems, Moore and his team went to Project Flytrap in Lithuania — part of a series of exercises (including Sword 26, Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response) that turn experimentation into capability.

Project Flytrap is a counter-unmanned aerial system exercise designed to integrate emerging technologies and inform future Army requirements and doctrine.

The Army stays innovative by partnering with vendors and the UAS industry, alongside the real-world feedback from Soldiers.

Source: United States Army

BOLESLAWIEC, Poland — A routine maintenance mission near Bolesławiec quickly turned into an emergency response for Sgt. Nicolette Frankowski when she witnessed a traffic collision unfold directly in front of her vehicle, March 4.

Frankowski, who works operations for U.S. Army Garrison Poland’s Bolesławiec Garrison Support Element, was traveling with interpreter Kamil Stuczynski, when a passing car collided with another vehicle attempting to turn left along a busy two-lane roadway.

“We saw it happen in slow motion,” Frankowski said. “As soon as the collision happened, our focus immediately shifted to making sure everyone was safe.”

The crash sent one vehicle into a roadside ditch with airbags deployed and debris scattered across the street. Frankowski’s military police training kicked in and she immediately stopped to assist.

The pair moved the occupants away from traffic, assessed them for injuries, called police, and placed emergency warning triangles along the roadway to alert approaching vehicles around the curve.

“Everyone was in shock,” Frankowski said. “My biggest concern was calming everyone down and securing the scene.”

One of the drivers emerged from the damaged vehicle limping, prompting Frankowski to carefully assess him for injuries while reassuring him in Polish.

“I thought he was seriously hurt at first,” she said. “I kept asking if he was okay and encouraged him to sit down and stay calm.” The limp, thankfully, was later determined to be unrelated to the accident and connected to a previous surgery.

Stuczynski said Frankowski’s calm demeanor helped stabilize the situation until local police arrived.

“She stayed composed the entire time,” he said. “That helped everybody else stay calm too.”

For Frankowski, the interaction carried personal meaning beyond the immediate emergency.

Raised in Tampa, Florida, by parents who immigrated from Poland, Frankowski grew up in a Polish-speaking household where traditions, holidays and language remained central to family life. Speaking Polish at the scene helped her quickly connect with those involved in the accident.

“When people heard me speaking Polish, it immediately made things easier,” she said. “It helped build trust.”

Frankowski joined the Army Reserve nearly five years ago as a military police Soldier and first came to Poland in 2024 during a previous rotation with the 200th MP Command. After returning home, the 22-year-old raised her right hand and volunteered for another assignment, this time supporting USAG Poland.

“I loved being around the culture and the people,” she said. “After growing up in Florida, coming to Poland felt like a way to reconnect with part of who I am.”

Back home, she said, her Polish heritage was something primarily experienced within her family. Serving in Poland has allowed her to experience that connection more fully.

“At home it was always Polish traditions inside the house, but outside it was American life,” Frankowski said. “Being here has helped me learn more about my culture and feel connected to it in a different way.”

Frankowski received the Army Achievement Medal recognizing her actions following the crash. Despite the recognition, she said helping others felt instinctive.

“I would have stopped no matter where I was — Poland or America,” Frankowski said. “I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay.”

Source: United States Army

[Editor’s Note: The following story is a part of USAG Benelux’s “Honoring our Legacy” series in which we tell stories of America’s 250-year history, our Soldiers and our enduring legacy. To get involved in the USAG Benelux America 250 campaign, contact usarmy.benelux.id-europe.list.pao@army.mil.]

Chièvres Air Base, Belgium – More than 80 years after U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Billie Ramsey parachuted into occupied Belgium after his B-17F bomber, Skunkface, was shot down during World War II, his great-granddaughter, Bella Ramsey, returned to the same region to honor his legacy.

During her visit to Chièvres Air Base (CAB), Bella Ramsey toured the airfield and the headquarters of the 424th Air Base Squadron (424 ABS), where leaders unveiled a hand-drawn portrait of her great-grandfather created by Master Sgt. Anthony Colón Matos, 424 ABS support operations flight chief. The portrait now hangs inside the newly rededicated Ramsey Conference Room.

Ramsey also visited the squadron’s “Devil’s Den,” named in recognition of the squadron’s “Red Devils” heritage tied to the Belgian Air Force aerobatic team that was previously stationed at CAB. During the visit, she signed the wall on behalf of her family, received squadron patches and learned more about the installation’s history and connection to her great-grandfather’s story.

On Feb. 20, 1944, Ramsey’s aircraft was shot down over Belgium after sustaining heavy damage during combat operations. After bailing out over Lens, Belgium, which was then part of the base, he was captured by German forces and later spent more than a year as a prisoner of war before eventually escaping as Allied forces advanced across Europe.

For members of the 424th Air Base Squadron, Ramsey’s story represents more than a historical event, it’s an opportunity to honor a legacy.

“The Bill Ramsey Conference Room is more than a name on a wall,” Colón Matos said. “It is part of the collective memory of this unit, a reminder of resilience, courage, sacrifice and perseverance.”

Colón Matos explained that squadron members began researching the history of CAB and the 424 ABS in 2024 to strengthen awareness of the unit’s heritage and connection to the local community.

During that research, members rediscovered Ramsey’s story and realized there was little documented information explaining why the conference room had originally been named in his honor.

“We wanted to rebuild pride in our history,” Colón Matos said. “It is our way of reclaiming our Air Force heritage and connecting our current team with Sgt. Ramsey’s incredible story of resilience and survival.”

He also reflected on the significance of the Allied presence in Belgium during World War II and the enduring partnership between the United States and Belgium.

“For the people of Belgium, the sight of American parachutes descending from the sky represented something greater than war,” Colón Matos said. “It represented hope and the anticipation of liberation.”

For Bella Ramsey, the visit offered a personal perspective on a man many remember as part of history, but whom she simply knew as family.

“I didn’t know him as this man in history,” she said. “I knew him in a different way.”

Today, Billie Ramsey’s story continues to connect generations through a shared legacy of sacrifice, partnership and remembrance that still resonates at Chièvres Air Base more than eight decades later.