Category: Security

Source: United States Army

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – The Army Emergency Relief (AER) program is conducting their 2026 annual campaign. Which began on March 1, 2026 and concludes June 14, 2026, on the Army’s birthday.

The purpose of AER’s campaign is to raise funds for AER. AER provides support to Soldiers and their families during times of financial hardship for critical needs such as rent, utilities, and medical.

This year’s campaign is broken into two goals for the Rhienland-Pfalz region. The campaign’s primary goal is to raise 100 percent awareness of the campaign and the assistance the AER program offers to Soldiers in the region. The secondary goal is to achieve 20 percent of active-duty Soldiers donating to the campaign.

The 21st Theater Sustainment Command has set the lofty goal of raising $210,000 for this year’s campaign, which equals roughly 10 percent of the entire Army’s donations last year.

A main function of AER is the issuance of zero-interest loans. According to Jessee Dean, the AER U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz program director, the loans may be used for utilities, rent, car payments, insurance, and similar needs. Assistance with personal loans, credit cards, legal fees, or taxes are not authorized in the program.

A secondary function of AER is the issuance of grants. The grant program may be used by Soldiers and immediate family for grants of up to $4,000. Additionally, AER can assist with certain expenses that go beyond the $4000 cap like rental cars, hotels, food, and fuel during events like PCS, emergency travel or funeral expenses. In instances like this it can be a combination of a grant and no-interest loan.

According to Dean, running the program is not just another job, he has an emotional tie to its success. “I’ve personally used AER twice. One time I owed €3,000 in gas and €1,500 in electricity due to billing issues,” said Dean. “I had to pay it quickly, and AER helped cover that.”

AER is completely donation driven and not government funded. Rheinland-Pfalz was heavily supported by AER throughout last year.

According to Dean, during the 2025 campaign, $2.1 million was donated, Army wide. Approximately 16 percent of Soldiers in Rheinland-Pfalz donated last year, for a total of $31,600. Due to the high costs associated with PCS moves to this region, $1.9M was distributed to Soldiers in Rhheinland-Pfalz via grants and loans.

“Seek out your unit representatives to learn about AER. You can donate online or through your unit representative,” said Dean, for personnel who are interested in donating “There are also manual methods like cash, check, or allotment forms. QR codes have been developed to allow quick digital donations using cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.”

If you would like to contribute to AER online, please visit https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/donate/ and if you would like to see any additional info go to https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/ or talk to your unit representative for AER.

Source: United States Army

RUKLA, Lithuania — U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard competed alongside NATO allies in the Lithuanian Land Forces Best Infantry Squad Competition, placing second among foreign teams and marking the first time Army National Guard Soldiers have participated in the multinational event.

The competition, held March 4 and 5, saw the Pennsylvania Army Guard squad compete against two active-component U.S. Army squads, 10 Lithuanian squads, and squads from Germany, Estonia, Latvia, and the Netherlands.

Hosted at the Land Forces’ Maj. Juozas Lukša Training Center and the Gaižiūnai Military Training Area, in Rukla, Lithuania, the competition included physically and mentally demanding tasks designed to evaluate small-unit readiness and tactical proficiency.

“The squad is the basic building block of any military formation, and strong squads create strong formations,” said Brig. Gen. Nerijus Stankevičius, commander of the Lithuanian army.

Though this was the first year an Army National Guard squad competed, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Lithuanian military share a more than 30-year relationship through the Department of War National Guard State Partnership Program, which pairs Guard elements with partner nations worldwide for training and subject matter exchanges.

In 2025, Lithuanian soldiers competed in the Pennsylvania Army Guard’s Best Warrior Competition, leading to an invitation for Pennsylvania Army Guard Soldiers to compete in this year’s Best Infantry Squad competition.

“It is a historical moment,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Eugenijus Žukauskas, command sergeant major of the Lithuanian army. “It’s the first time when Pennsylvania National Guard is participating here.”

Žukauskas emphasized the “great relationship and friendship” that has been built through the SPP pairing, which dates to 1993, one of the first in the program, adding it was a key reason why the Pennsylvania Army Guard was invited to participate in the competition.

The eight-person squad was selected in October following a 14-hour, five-event competition. Those who made the final cut came from multiple Pennsylvania Army Guard units.

Following the selection, the squad began weekly workouts to improve their physical readiness ahead of the competition.

“We’ve held workouts and conditionings twice a week since then, where we’ve worked on mostly endurance,” said Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Devereux, a squad member and forward observer with 2nd Battalion, 166th Regiment (Regional Training Institute). “We’ve also done some track work, some speed work, and gone over some tactical skills that we think may be relevant to some of the tasks we’re going to be asked to perform while we’re here.”

Squad members said they may not have known the specific tasks, but they knew to expect evaluation lanes requiring endurance, teamwork, and tactical decision-making while carrying full combat equipment.

“This competition is essentially going to be two days of straight activity, meaning moving significant distances and encountering different obstacles and different tasks that we’re going to have to complete as a squad as best we can, as fast as we can based on doctrine, based on what we’ve been trained to do,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Rudershausen, a squad member and Pennsylvania Army Guard Soldier assigned to Range Operations at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

The competition tested them on marksmanship and small-arms skills, their ability to operate as a squad in a variety of tactical scenarios, medical triage and evacuation tasks, and reconnaissance tasks, including the use of small drones. All was done under physically challenging conditions that tested communication and teamwork, emphasizing the importance of strong small-unit leadership.

“Strong squad equals strong forces,” Žukauskas said. “If you have a weak squad leader or squad, you cannot expect that high echelon task will be accomplished in the right way.”

In addition to testing squad-level combat skills, the event provided an opportunity for Soldiers from different NATO nations to train together and share tactics and experiences.

“Seeing soldiers from multiple NATO nations training and competing together on Lithuanian soil clearly reflects the strength of our alliance,” Stankevičius said.

The competition also helps strengthen that alliance.

“Any time that we can train with partner nations, especially NATO nations, and be a part of an event or a training exercise that strengthens those relationships, it makes us all the better,” Devereux said. “It increases readiness in the event that we ever have to see each other or work with each other in times of conflict or in a real-world situation.”

And it helps build readiness at home.

“A lot of the knowledge that we’re getting over the next couple of days in the train up is going to be basically how Lithuania tackles a lot of military obstacles, objectives,” said Rudershausen. “We’re going to learn from them and then hopefully come on the other side with more things that we can take back to our Soldiers in Pennsylvania.”

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

NAPLES, Italy – For Staff Sgt. Steven Melendez, the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Naples Branch, the uniform is only part of his story. He is a father, a husband, a mentor and now, a magna cum laude graduate from Northbridge University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His journey is a great example of what it means to be a provider in every sense of the word.

Balancing the demands of a military career with education is a challenge for anyone, but Melendez pursued his degree while handling permanent change of duty locations, rotations and new missions, a testament to his commitment.

He started his academic journey in 2018 and through “long days and even longer nights”, while supporting food safety missions in Poland, Kosovo and locally.

He successfully earned his degree in 2026. He credits the Army’s Tuition Assistance program for making his academic goals financially achievable.

“Everyone can earn a degree, time isn’t an impairment,” he says, hoping to inspire others. “You can do it if you want to and do it regardless of ops tempo, there’s never the perfect time.”

For Melendez, this accomplishment was deeply personal. With a wife and two children, he is driven by a profound sense of responsibility.

“I know I’m in the military but my wife deserves both, share the workload,” he states, emphasizing the partnership he shares with his wife. His desire to provide a good life for his family is the ‘why’ behind his relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

The degree not only opens up more opportunities at work but also serves as a powerful lesson for his children. He wanted to show them that “If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

His journey wasn’t a solo mission. Melendez is quick to express his gratitude for the support he received from his family, his leadership and the university.

“I appreciate my leadership so much,” he says, acknowledging how they helped him balance mission requirements with school assignments. This collaborative spirit, where the mission always came first but his personal goals were supported, was crucial to his success.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Melendez’s path to the Army wasn’t a direct one. He initially worked in restaurants as a cook, a passion that has stayed with him. He joined the U.S. Army without a designated Military Occupational Specialty and had to attend the English school in Lackland.

From there, he was slotted to become a food inspector, a role he has come to embrace and excel in.

“Cooking was a passion from the past, so this was a good fit,” he reflects. “Now, I can’t see myself doing anything else.” His career has taken him from North Carolina to Germany, Colorado and now Italy, where he enjoys the new bonds forged during missions and audits.

With his bachelor’s degree now complete, Staff Sgt. Melendez is already looking toward the future. He has his sights set on becoming a warrant officer and earning a master’s degree, following in the footsteps of his brother, who holds a master’s and served as an inspiration.

His story is a powerful reminder to always “move with purpose,” demonstrating that with dedication and a strong support system, any goal is achievable. Melendez’s journey is a blueprint for success, not just as a soldier, but as a provider, a leader and a lifelong learner.

Source: United States Army

USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – Community members from across U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria – Hohenfels, lent their time, an arm and a vein to supply needed blood to the Armed Services Blood Program March 2 and 3, 2026 at the Community Activity Center.

The blood drive managed to meet and exceed the goal of 60 bags per day by two on the first day and 12 on the second for a total of 134 donations.

Members of the local chapters of the American Red Cross and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers helped arrange the effort, volunteered at the event and donated blood. Camille Solak, a volunteer with the American Red Cross, was there both as a volunteer and as a donor.

“I volunteer with the Red Cross to help support the community,” she said. “We do a bunch of different type of outreach events and there’s many different avenues and places around post that we help.”

Solak provided a personal example of why it is important to donate blood.

“My mom was a transfusion recipient a few years back,” she said. “She has a rare blood type, so I know how hard it is to find blood for people like that. If I can help somebody, I try to do it.”

According to personnel at the Armed Services Blood Program – Europe, one pint of blood may be broken into three parts – red blood cells, plasma and platelets – which may each go on to save lives.

Solak said sparing blood is a small but vital sacrifice on the part of donors.

“We don’t need all of our blood,” she said. “So if you can spare it and you can handle it, it’s definitely going to impact somebody in a very positive way. It will be back flowing in your body in the next two days.”

To learn more about the Armed Services Blood Program, including further donation opportunities, visit their site at https://dha.mil/ASBP.

Source: United States Army

PIRMASENS, Germany– In a display of camaraderie and tactical skill, American service members from across the Kaiserslautern and Stuttgart Military Community joined their German Bundeswehr counterparts today for the Schützenschnur, a prestigious German armed forces badge for weapons proficiency.

The not only tested the participants’ marksmanship but also strengthened the spirit of cooperation recently forged during the German-American Friendship Days in Ramstein.

The diverse American contingent included soldiers from Public Health Command Europe, Veterinary Readiness Activity, Rheinland Pfalz, security forces from the 596th United States Forces Police Squadron, a member of the 86th Medical Squadron from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and several of their Navy counterparts. This broad participation underscores the deep level of cooperation between the allied nations.

The Schützenschnur, a tradition with deep roots in German military history, is a highly respected decoration and a testament to a soldier’s shooting prowess.

Participants fired the German G36 rifle and the P8 pistol. The G36 is a 5.56x45mm assault rifle that has been the standard issue for the Bundeswehr since 1997 and the P8 is the German military’s standard service pistol.

For many of the American participants, the experience was a unique opportunity to step outside their own military’s standard procedures and equipment.

Sergeant Jhonas Lopez, Brigade S1 noncommissioned officer in charge at PHCE, shared his enthusiasm for the cross-cultural exchange.

“I enjoyed the most was getting to work with our International partners and get a feel of their weapon systems and comparing it to what we use on the U.S. side,” said Lopez.

The event was not without its trials. The demanding course of fire pushed the service members to their limits.

“The most challenging part was having to move to the next fighting position and engage the target,” Lopez explained. “My heart rate was running and it made it more interesting.”

Despite the difficulty, Lopez said his goal was to earn the highest-level badge. “Gold is the standard!” he declared.

The sentiment of partnership and mutual respect was echoed by the German hosts.

“My goal is for everyone to have fun, stay safe and earn a Schützenschnur they can wear with pride,” stated Bundeswehr Senior Master Sgt. Brian Wagner. “Above all, this was a chance to build partnerships with our allies, connect and exchange expertise.”

Notably, all participating soldiers from Public Health Command Europe achieved the gold standard. Earning the gold Schützenschnur, the highest of three levels, requires a soldier to achieve the top score on all weapon systems in the competition, demonstrating exceptional marksmanship.

The following soldiers from Public Health Command Europe were recognized for their participation:

• Capt. Javier Pino
• Sgt. 1st Class Marissa Henson
• Staff Sgt. Tatiana Jones
• Sgt. Syarra Bermudez
• Sgt. Dayton Crawford
• Sgt. Jhonas Lopez

Source: United States Army

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Being a part of the largest population of U.S. citizens outside the continental United States means facing unique challenges and threats. Terrorism is the most notable of those threats, requiring vigilance and awareness from all members of the total force community to make sure no threats are ever carried out.

Emily Roemer, Antiterrorism Officer with U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’ Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS), encourages Soldiers and families to remain vigilant and aware of any potential threats and report any suspicious activity to the right channels.

Roemer highlighted a few important things to look out for when out in public.

“A good rule of thumb to go by is if it looks sketchy, it probably is,” said Roemer.

She explained that if anything that looks strange or out of place, like a person wearing overly concealing clothing in the summer heat, someone surveying or taking notes on a place of interest – particularly a military installation gate or high-traffic area – it deserves a second look.

Roemer said high school students and young adults are helpful sensors for suspicious activity and encourages students to trust their gut and know how to use their resources to report any suspicious activity they notice.

“Even if students aren’t comfortable going directly to the police, telling a parent or teacher works just as well,” said Roemer.

Maintaining Operational Security, or OPSEC, is another measure everyone can practice to protect themselves and their communities.

“It’s hard to grasp just how many people out there can be listening for information,” Roemer cautioned.

OPSEC means being mindful of what information you’re posting or talking about. Always double check to make sure social media posts, conversations you’re having in public or any other form of public communication does not contain any sensitive information that could be harmful if it falls into the wrong hands.

Being careful of what questions you answer is also important, Roemer said. Bad actors may pose seemingly casual or normal questions that, while sounding innocent, are really attempts to get sensitive information.

She advised that if a stranger asks probing questions about deployment history, operations, training schedules, unit names or temporary duty (TDY), you should avoid answering to protect sensitive details.

Additionally, Roemer noted that high-traffic areas and mass gathering events are at higher risk for potential threats.

“Parades, concerts, and especially the yearly Octoberfest celebrations provide a lot of opportunities for bad actors to take advantage of,” said Roemer.

While it’s always a good idea to be mindful anytime you’re out in public, Roemer said it’s important to be extra vigilant for threats and suspicious activity around places and events like these.

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ award-winning anti-terrorism program always works to ensure the garrison and our communities are always supported and prepared for any threat that may arise.

To report any suspicious activity, call the garrison’s Military Police at 0611-143-541-7007/7008 or DSN 531-2677, or use the garrison’s suspicious activity reporting tool, https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/j7VryiMv4g. In the event of an emergency, dial 110 for law enforcement or 112 for fire services from any phone to connect with emergency services.

To learn more about DPTMS operations, visit https://home.army.mil/rheinland-pfalz/index.php/about/directorates-support-offices/s357-operations-dptms/operations

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

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

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Angela Ling spearheaded the first-ever Tanzanian medical readiness exercise during Justified Accord 26. She transformed a state partnership into real-world operational readiness.

The exercise took place at Lugalo General Military Hospital in Dar es Salaam and Msata Military Training Base, March 2-12. The event leverages the Nebraska-Tanzania State Partnership Program by having U.S. and Tanzanian medical professionals train side by side to provide care and strengthen long-term collaboration.

Ling, assigned to the 155th Medical Group, 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard, orchestrated this historic mission. She sourced distinct medical specialties from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force units across the Nebraska National Guard and active-duty personnel to build a cohesive joint team. The exercise structure reflects the needs identified by Tanzanian partners rather than relying on a predetermined U.S. team.

“We collaborate with the host nation about the types of specialties they prefer,” Ling said. “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.”

Ling’s passion for global health began during her 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. Locals called her “Mama Ling” while she treated children at the hospital. She commissioned in 2007 and served 12 years on active duty as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner.

She transitioned to the Nebraska National Guard in 2019 to provide geographic stability for her family. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped her responsibilities and introduced her to large-scale operational planning. By September 2020, she ran all COVID-19 operations for the state of Nebraska at the governor’s request.

She oversaw testing, vaccinations and alternate care facilities, cementing her evolution from a clinical provider to an operational planner.

“In the National Guard, I have been able to do more things than I ever could have imagined,” Ling said.

Ling also holds a leadership position at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Global Center for Health Security. She manages disaster health response grants and leverages that institutional knowledge when designing medical engagements in resource-constrained environments. Since 2022, she has participated in multiple engagements across Rwanda and Tanzania, serving as lead planner for the first medical readiness exercises in both countries.

The Tanzania exercise introduced new technology designed to better measure the impact of medical readiness operations. JA26 marked the first time the Medical Currency Application for Readiness Tracking 2.0, a cloud-enabled medical tracking platform developed by the U.S. Air Force, has been employed in an Army-led military exercise — and the first time that capability has operated in Africa. The modular system allows providers to log encounters, procedures, diagnoses and clinical hours through a mobile interface.

International exercises often require months or years of coordination and trust-building between partner nations. Ling explained that interoperability and host-nation requirements drive the mission despite logistical complexities. The resulting joint medical team integrates capabilities that match Tanzanian priorities.

Establishing this initial medical engagement in Tanzania promotes shared responsibility and enables African partners to lead regional security efforts. The SPP builds relationships that outlast a two-week training rotation. Constant communication builds the trust required for rapid crisis response.

“The relationship takes more than one engagement,” Ling said. “It builds over multiple visits as you get to know and trust each other.”

For Ling, the Tanzania exercise is an early demonstration of what the Nebraska-Tanzania partnership can achieve. It highlights the growing role National Guard planners play in strengthening global military cooperation. Individual planners, clinicians and National Guardsmen transform strategic agreements into real-world readiness.

“This fills my cup,” Ling said. “Having the opportunity to plan these missions brings me a lot of joy.”

Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted this year in Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania, JA26 increased multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance and crisis response, prepared regional partners for United Nations and African Union missions, and built readiness for the U.S. joint force.

Related Stories

US, Tanzanian medical professionals complete Tanzania’s first-ever medical readiness exercise during Justified Accord 26 | March 17, 2026

US, Kenya expand innovation, crisis response readiness during Justified Accord 2026 MEDCAP | March 7, 2026

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

The Camp Darby Military Community came together for a day filled with flavor, fun, and friendly competition at the Chili Cookout Contest held at the Darby Community Center on March 17.

The event showcased the culinary talents of 11 contestants, featuring a variety of delicious chili creations to impress the judges and attendees.

From traditional recipes to creative twists, one dish stood out above the rest. Nathan Cerulli, Fire Chief with the Directorate of Emergency Services, impressed the judges with his “Fire House Pheasant White Bean Chili”, earning him the title of Chili Cookout Champion.

As the champion, he was awarded a crown, an Oscar-style trophy, and a gift card to the local commissary.

“I’ve wanted to enter the past few years but never have. Since I will be PCS’ing soon, I thought it would be fun to enter, “said Cerulli. “I thought Fire House Pheasant White Bean Chili was a little risky to enter the contest with, but that’s what made it a fun challenge.”

When asked if he would participate again in the future, Cerulli added, “Well, since I’ve been here five years, it’s time for me to go back to the States. Hopefully, I can do my two-year reset and come to enter the contest again.”

The competition was incredibly close, with Jayme Hertlein, one of the event organizers, placing second by just one vote.

The event was also an opportunity for the Camp Darby community to come together, share laughs, and enjoy a day with friends.

“This event is a great way to bring everyone together and have some fun,” said Jayme Hertlein, one of the organizers. “It’s not just about the chili—it’s about connecting with each other and enjoying the day as a community.”

The Chili Cookout Contest is one of many events hosted at Camp Darby to foster morale and strengthen bonds within the military community. With its mix of friendly competition and delicious food, it’s sure to remain a favorite tradition for years to come.