Source: United States Navy
CHUK SAMET, Thailand — Task Force (TF) Ashland, a forward-deployed force of U.S. Marines and Sailors aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), arrived in the Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 22, to join approximately 8,000 service members from 30 nations for the 45th iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold, which runs from Feb. 24 to March 6, 2026.
Source: United States Navy
Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) Special Mission program supports worldwide oceanographic programs with six ships that perform acoustical, biological, physical and geophysical surveys. These ships gather data that provide much of the military’s information on the ocean environment. The collected data helps to improve technology in undersea warfare. The oceanographic and hydrographic survey ships’ multibeam, wide-angle precision sonar systems make it possible to continuously chart a broad strip of ocean floor. Survey ships have charted three-fourths of the world’s coastlines, making it easier for navigators to find their way along both well-traveled and unfamiliar shipping routes.
Source: United States Airforce
Lt. Gen. Rebecca Sonkiss, who took over as Air Mobility Command’s interim commander earlier this month, addressed service members, industry and journalists on the state of mobility readiness at the 2026 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium.
Source: United States Marines
The Marine Corps is replacing the current semiannual height and weight evaluation with a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) methodology as the first step of its body composition evaluations in accordance with recent Secretary of War guidance.
Source: United States Army
“My philological studies have satisfied me that a gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing), in 30 hours, French in 30 days, and German in 30 years.” – Mark Twain, “That Awful German Language”
USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – English-speaking members of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria find themselves in an envious – albeit daunting – position: living in the land of the not-so-distant cousin language of German.
Twain in his essay “That Awful German Language” propounds upon the German language’s many difficulties – the gendering of its nouns, declensions of nouns based on grammatical case, cumbrously long concatenations of words into new words, and terminal placement of verbs.
Whereas Twain visited Germany as a lecturer, modern-day U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria community members instead live here year-round. They must bustle through the busy grocery store, procure train tickets to far-off towns, and, for fun, engage in affable conversation with neighborly folk. It is fine and good to build fellowship within a like-speaking community; it is altogether an adventure to connect to the people and environs new to oneself.
And that is what learning German offers to the community member. Ilona Johnson is the social services assistant with the Relocation Readiness Program at Army Community Service at Hohenfels, and as part of her job she helps military community members integrate into their new home.
“It is important for people to learn the German language, just to be a little bit more integrated in that awesome life outside of our gate,” said Johnson. “German is not a very easy language to learn, but I feel it opens the doors to be more involved in the host-nation community.”
German speakers do not care as much about the finer points of grammar in casual conversation, Johnson said. Communicating, whether eloquently or not, stands most important.
“Don’t overthink it, just do it, try it,” she said. “No matter if ‘der, die, das’ is correct, everyone understands what you mean.”
Resources, on post
To start learning German, there are many resources both on and off post to begin with and to continue learning.
With on-post resources, service members, civilians and their Families can gain a foothold at Army Community Service, according to Johnson.
ACS regularly hosts two beginner courses. The German as a second language basic course, which is spread across six sessions, lays the groundwork for those completely unfamiliar with the language. The next iteration of the course takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 9 through 11 and 16 through 18.
Learners who already have a basic understanding can then take ACS’s course on simple conversation, which also lasts six sessions.
At Hohenfels, Johnson said, ACS has partnered with the Turnbull Memorial Library to restart the German conversation sessions in April. During these sessions, participants speak German in a judgment-free environment with knowledgeable speakers.
Beyond the German conversation sessions, the library at Hohenfels also hosts a German storytime for children ages 3 to 5, with the next session taking place at 10 a.m. March 10. Staff members read multiple books in English and German, sing songs in German and help the children (and their parents) learn more about local customs and traditions.
The libraries across USAG Bavaria make resources available to community members to learn German. They have audiobooks with language-learning materials both in physical format and through the Libby library app.
The library can also procure physical books and many other media from other connected military libraries throughout Europe via interlibrary loan. The library website lists nearly 4,400 works in German, including more than 3,300 books (children’s books, novels, non-fiction), more than 500 DVDs and blu-rays, nearly 400 CDs (audiobooks and music) and more.
The libraries at USAG Bavaria can also grant community members access to the Mango Language Learning app, which, along with many other languages, has a German language course totaling five units, 41 chapters and 757 lessons. The lessons cover a wide swath of topics and walk users through the particularities of German grammar. For those inclined toward Bavarian culture, there is also a specialty unit on Oktoberfest with 16 lessons.
Library personnel recommend talking to them first to gain access to Mango through an Army library account.
Another on-post resource could be Udemy Business: It is offered to service members and their spouses and civilians working for the Army for free. They have language classes on the platform, and it is usable on a smartphone.
Resources, off post
As to off-post resources, there are many available online, including smartphone applications like Mango Language Learning (mentioned above), streaming services and podcasts.
There are several resources provided through the U.S. Defense Language Institute. Headstart2, Rapport and Language Survival Kits provide an introduction to many different languages, including German. For those who want to venture beyond the basic, there is the Global Language Online Support System, which has 97 lessons on German with downloadable PDFs and MP3s.
Those community members who are already signed up for streaming services often have the option of watching films and television shows with German subtitles or German dubbing. With a grounding of German language and a familiarity with a given film or series, memory and context can help fill in the gaps.
There are many language-learning podcasts out there. One such organization that provides them is the Deutsche Welle, Germany’s broadcasting organization. Alongside their podcasts, they provide videos online to help learners, and they organize their material under the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1-A2 for beginners, B1-B2 for intermediate level learners, and C1-C2 for advanced learners). As a broadcasting agency, they also provide a podcast of “Langsam Gesprochene Nachrichten” or “slowly spoken news,” which gives learning listeners the time to hear and process what is being conveyed.
Some learners find it useful to have material in hand and workbooks. Most larger bookstores will have a language-learning section with course material for German as a second language. Some may even have bilingual books so readers can read one page in English and then again in German.
Without the benefit of rewind or slowing down, commuters can also practice their German without the aid of podcast or audiobook through over-the-air broadcast: radio. There are talk radio stations to hear from. Even music stations typically chime in the hour and half-hour with news, weather and traffic updates.
For learners wishing for an in-person touch, community colleges (Volkhochschulen or VHS for short) often provide evening classes for German-as-a-second-language speakers.
More on German:
Links to resources:
Here are links to several of the online resources mentioned in this article:
Army Community Services:
On-post libraries:
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (https://www.dliflc.edu/elearning/):
Deutsche Welle Deutsch lernen (https://learngerman.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/s-9095)
Source: United States Airforce
Leaders doubled down on the importance of acquisition transformation within the DAF BATTLE NETWORK framework, highlighting the department’s focus on maturing architecture and delivering capability at operational speed.
Source: United States Army
WASHINGTON — National Guard senior leaders joined French army leaders in a ceremony Tuesday marking the longstanding alliance between the U.S. and France and honoring the sacrifices of service members from both countries.
U.S. Army Brig. Gens. Carrie Perez, director of Army personnel management at the National Guard Bureau, and Robin Hoeflein, vice director of manpower and personnel at the NGB, joined French army Lt. Gen. Frédéric Gout, head of the French army’s personnel branch, and other French army leaders in the ceremony at the World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington.
“Standing here with my French counterpart fills me with deep respect and gratitude,” said Hoeflein. “Today’s ceremony is not just a time to remember, but a sign of the lasting connection between our countries.”
Gout said he felt similarly, adding that the ceremony gave time to remember service members who came before and to reflect on the past, while reaffirming the connection between the two nations now and in the future.
The partnership between the two countries dates to the American Revolution and is the U.S.’s longest alliance.
The short ceremony included a wreath laying at the monument, meant to recognize servicemembers’ sacrifices for both countries and specifically recognize Ferdinand Capdevielle and Kiffen Rockwell – two Americans killed in World War I while serving with French forces.
“Remembering them connects our history to the present,” said Hoeflein.
Born in New York City in 1893, Capdevielle enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in 1914 just after the war broke out. He was citied multiple times for leadership and bravery and took part in many of the war’s major battles – including the Battle of Verdun in 1916, one of the conflict’s longest and most devastating engagements.
Capdevielle was killed on Oct. 3, 1918, while leading an attack against a German machine gun position near Orfeuil, France. He was the last American who enlisted in French forces to be killed during the war.
Rockwell, born in Newport, Tennessee in 1892, also enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in 1914. He was wounded in the leg in May 1915 and after recovering requested a transfer to the French air force. There he served with the Lafayette Escadrille, a fighter squadron composed largely of American pilots.
In May 1916 he shot down a German aircraft, becoming the first American pilot of the war to down an enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He also flew missions during the Battle of Verdun, where he was wounded in the face.
On Sept. 23, 1916, Rockwell was killed instantly when an explosive round struck him in the chest while he was engaged in aerial combat with a German aircraft. His plane crashed near French lines. He was the second American airman killed in the war.
“Honoring those who gave their lives, and our allies, is a shared responsibility,” said Hoeflein. “By remembering their sacrifice, we ensure their stories and bravery endure. Each memorial and every moment of reflection affirms that their sacrifice mattered.”
The ceremony concluded with a bugler in WWI uniform sounding taps, as many reflected on the sacrifices of both U.S. and French servicemembers.
“Our safety and freedom rest on their courage,” said Hoeflein. “By honoring them, we renew our commitment to protect that freedom and strengthen the partnerships that sustain it.”
Source: United States Spaceforce
Senior Department of the Air Force leaders emphasized that warfighting readiness, modernization and investment in Airmen and Guardians remain central to maintaining deterrence and preparing for future conflict during a panel discussion at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2026 Warfare Symposium.
Source: United States Army
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program hosted nine Army National Guard Soldiers from six states and territories for a Level 2 funeral honors training course Jan. 26–Feb. 5 at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach.
Soldiers from Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin and Wyoming participated in the two-week-long training, which certifies instructors to teach fellow Soldiers the skills, procedures and standards for providing final respects to military veterans.
“The Soldiers usually fly in from all over the country,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Cain, the senior instructor for the Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program. “To have a Soldier from Puerto Rico work with a Soldier from Florida and have no question of what the standard is, is truly amazing.”
Weather impacted the course, as storms delayed many of the Soldiers, according to Cain.
“This course was extremely trying due to the weather,” he said. “Some Soldiers didn’t fly in until 2 a.m. This led to us having to shift the schedule a little, but these Soldiers are extremely dedicated and we made it work.”
There are three levels of training in the military funeral honors program. Level 1 is the foundation and teaches Soldiers how to perform the services. Virginia conducts a 40-hour Level 1 training course several times a year.
Level 2 covers instructing and becoming a trainer.
Level 3 is used for recertification and helps ensure that each state maintains the national standard.
Virginia has become the hub for National Guard funeral honors training and hosts training for all three levels several times throughout the year.
“Virginia hosted our first National Funeral Honors Training Course 10 years ago,” Cain explained. “I took a lot of notes on what it takes to host these courses.”
As he traveled around the country, Cain figured out what to do and what not to do to make these courses possible.
“With the support of the staff at SMR, we have become the primary location for MFH National Training Courses for the Eastern United States,” he explained. “The staff at SMR has given us storage space to keep all training equipment on site. This makes things very easy for us to set up and tear down between courses.”
Begun in January 2007, the Virginia National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program is composed of four teams located throughout the state that provide funeral details not only to National Guard Soldiers but also to veterans of the active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.
They have performed more than 26,000 funeral services throughout the commonwealth and average 200 services each month.
National Guard Website – http://www.nationalguard.mil
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Source: United States Army
OKLAHOMA CITY – At the request of Oklahoma Emergency Management and with authorization from Gov. Kevin Stitt, members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard are responding to wildfires in northwest Oklahoma using UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and ground hand crews.
“The Oklahoma National Guard stands ready and equipped with both aerial and ground capabilities to support our partner agencies across the state,” said Brig. Gen. Bob Walter, assistant adjutant general for Oklahoma. “We have been in continuous communication with the Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Public Safety and Forestry Services to ensure close coordination.”
The buckets used by Oklahoma Army National Guard helicopter crews hold up to 660 gallons of water and can be dropped directly on fires or in areas where incident commanders and firefighters are working to prevent further spread. In addition to aerial support, the Oklahoma National Guard is providing ground support.
“We have two wildland firefighting crews of eight to ten red-card-certified firefighters on state active duty working under the incident command,” Walter said.
In the past two years, the Oklahoma National Guard Wildland Firefighting Program has trained 130 red-card-certified Guardsmen and currently has 80 certified and available within the state.
Once a request for support is submitted through Oklahoma Emergency Management and approved by the governor, planners with the Oklahoma National Guard’s Domestic Operations Office work with local incident commanders to develop a plan to best support firefighting operations.
“I’m very thankful for the National Guard and the expertise they bring to this response,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. “We appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with them.”
National Guard Website – http://www.nationalguard.mil
National Guard Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
National Guard X – https://x.com/USNationalGuard
National Guard Flickr – https//www.flickr.com/TheNationalGuard
National Guard YouTube – https//www.youtube.com/TheNationalGuard
National Guard Instagram – https//instagram.com/us.nationalguard