Category: Security

Source: United States Army

FORT POLK, La. — Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment trained alongside the 82nd Airborne Division during a combat training center rotation 15-20 March, marking the first time a Guard unit has integrated into an active-duty rotation under the National Guard’s new Minuteman Rotation concept.

The Minuteman concept aligns National Guard annual training with combat training center rotations, allowing units to meet their 15-day requirement while operating alongside active-duty formations. Leaders said the approach increases readiness and interoperability across the total force.

Senior Army National Guard leaders visited the rotation March 19-20, including Director of the Army National Guard, Lt. Gen. Jon M. Stubbs and Command Sgt. Maj. James (Brian) Kendrick, along with Florida Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. John D. Haas and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert F. Sweat. The visit highlighted the integration of Guard forces into active-duty training and the expansion of opportunities for Guard units to train in high-intensity environments.

“This is about building a total force that can close with and destroy the enemy,” Stubbs said during the visit. “What we are seeing here is a National Guard battalion fully integrated with an active-duty brigade, delivering a capability that is critical on today’s battlefield.”

At JRTC, often referred to as “the box,” units contend with a near-peer opposing force, limited resources and extended operations. The environment tests a unit’s ability to operate under stress while maintaining command and control across dispersed terrain.

The Florida battalion provided short-range air defense capabilities during the rotation, focusing on countering unmanned aircraft systems and low-altitude threats. Soldiers employed Sentinel radar and Avenger air defense systems while repositioning with maneuver elements to protect command posts, logistics nodes and key terrain.

A live battery moved with the brigade throughout the exercise, while the battalion headquarters operated as a division-level air defense element in a simulated environment. Leaders said the integration allowed the unit to train as it would fight in a real-world conflict.

Army Lt. Col. Adam Bailey, commander of 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery, said the unit prepared for the rotation through multiple command post exercises with the 82nd Airborne Division before arriving at JRTC.

“Coming to JRTC, we rapidly integrated into division’s scheme of maneuver and protection plan. That enabled us to execute a true Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) mission in support of a division,” he added.

The Panther Brigade’s dispersed operations increased exposure to aerial threats, particularly small drones capable of disrupting command and control or target sustainment operations.

Army Col. Daniel Leard, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, said the Army Guard unit filed a critical capability gap.

“Air defense is a critical enabler – we could not have executed our mission without them,” Leard said. “The Soldiers of 3-265 ADA integrated with our team on the fly. They were experts on their systems and that made an immediate impact.”

The Army National Guard’s Minuteman Rotation aligns annual training with combat training center rotations, enabling units to build readiness in a high-intensity environment alongside active-duty forces.

Kendrick, who previously served as the command sergeant major of the Florida National Guard, said the training reflects how the force will operate in future conflicts.

“This is exactly where our Soldiers need to be,” Kendrick said. “Training at this level, with this kind of realism, ensures they are ready to deploy and fight as part of a larger team.”

The approach does not replace traditional Army National Guard rotations but expands access to high-end training while supporting Soldiers’ civilian careers, education and communities. Stubbs said the goal is to integrate a Guard element into every combat training center rotation.

For junior soldiers, the experience highlighted the pace and complexity of modern warfare.

Army Sgt. Jason Dumervile, Headquarter and Headquarters Battery, said the experience changed how he views his role.

“You see how everything connects,” he said. “We are not just protecting ourselves — we are protecting the whole brigade so they can accomplish their mission.”

Florida leaders said the battalion’s performance demonstrated the value of integrating Guard units into active-duty training environments as the Army adapts to evolving threats.

“I’m incredibly proud of our Florida Guardsmen,” said Haas. “They’re highly disciplined and have benefitted from great leadership to ensure they’re trained and ready.”

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

Easter Sunday lunch is the centerpiece of the holiday in Tuscany, a time when families gather to share a meal that celebrates the arrival of spring. The menu often begins with antipasti featuring local cured meats, cheeses, and crostini topped with chicken liver pâté. The first course is typically a pasta dish, such as lasagna or pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale (wild boar sauce).

The main course often features roast lamb or goat, symbolizing renewal and sacrifice, served with seasonal vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, or roasted potatoes.

Eggs

Eggs play a central role in Tuscan Easter traditions, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings. Hard-boiled eggs are often included in the Easter meal, either as part of a salad or as a standalone dish. In some families, children participate in decorating eggs, an activity that adds a splash of color to the festivities.

In Tuscany, as part of the Easter traditions, hardboiled eggs, and even chocolate ones are traditionally blessed during Easter Mass. These blessed eggs are then shared during the Easter meal.

Torta Pasqualina

Another Easter dish is the Torta Pasqualina, a savory pie that originates from nearby Liguria but is also enjoyed in Tuscany. This pie is made with puff pastry filled with ricotta, spinach, and whole eggs, which are baked into the filling. In many Tuscan families, the Torta Pasqualina is not just a delicious Easter dish but also a source of fun and tradition. After the pie is sliced, it often turns into a friendly competition to see who gets the slices with the most egg. The slices containing more of the baked whole eggs are considered the best and finding them is seen as a small victory at the table.

Schiacciata di Pasqua

One of the most iconic Easter treats in Tuscany is the Schiacciata di Pasqua, a sweet, aromatic bread that has been a staple of the holiday for generations. Despite its name, which translates to “Easter flatbread,” this delicacy is anything but flat. It is a tall, fluffy bread made with a rich dough of eggs, sugar, flour, and anise seeds. The dough is often left to rise multiple times, sometimes for up to 24 hours, resulting in its characteristic light and airy texture

Colomba Pasquale

No Tuscan Easter celebration is complete without the colomba Pasquale, a dove-shaped sweet bread that is the Easter counterpart to the Christmas panettone. Made with a similar dough enriched with butter, eggs, and candied orange peel, the colomba is topped with a crunchy almond glaze and pearl sugar. While it is a tradition across Italy, Tuscans take pride in sourcing high-quality, local ingredients to make their version of this dessert.

After the Easter meal, another tradition in Tuscany is the exchange of chocolate eggs and the discovery of the surprises hidden inside. This moment is exciting for children, who eagerly crack open their eggs to reveal the small gifts or trinkets inside.

Source: United States Army

TRZEBIEŃ, Poland — Soldiers at the U.S. Army Garrison Poland installation site in Trzebień, located within the Świętoszów Military Community, now have a safer and more effective workspace following upgrades to ventilation systems in maintenance tents, resolving a long-standing safety concern and improving operational conditions for rotational forces.

The issue, which dates back to earlier phases of U.S. presence in Poland, stemmed from maintenance tents that were not originally designed to support the demands of armored brigade operations. Over time, limited ventilation created potential risks for Soldiers conducting vehicle maintenance.

After multiple rotations encountered the same challenge, leaders and support partners took ownership of the issue and drove a coordinated effort to implement a lasting solution that directly supports Soldier safety and mission readiness.

The project included recanvasing Large Area Maintenance Shelter tents and installing heavy-duty fans and exhaust ventilation systems designed to support both light and heavy tactical vehicles. These upgrades eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide exposure and provide a properly ventilated environment for daily maintenance operations.

Leaders from rotational forces elevated the requirement and worked with U.S. Army Europe and Africa to secure resources, reinforcing a shared commitment to prioritizing Soldier safety and sustaining readiness across the garrison footprint.

Sustainment partners played a key role in execution. The Logistics Civil Augmentation Program team ensured technical requirements were met and coordinated contracting actions, maintaining momentum throughout the project. Installation-level coordination at Trzebień ensured alignment between supported units and higher headquarters, enabling timely completion.

The effort reflects how U.S. Army Garrison Poland delivers infrastructure and services across its distributed sites to enable V Corps readiness while operating in close coordination with contracted support systems and host-nation partners.

This improvement also demonstrates a repeatable approach for addressing similar challenges across the garrison. By aligning rotational forces, sustainment partners and installation teams, U.S. Army Garrison Poland continues to strengthen safe working environments for Soldiers while reinforcing a permanent, ready and resilient presence on NATO’s eastern flank.

Source: United States Army

SCRANTON, Pa. — Jason Shradnick appreciates being recognized for the work he puts in at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania.

However, Shradnick doesn’t like to take individual credit when he receives awards.

Shradnick was among 12 individuals named as an Army Materiel Command Employee of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025.

“It’s a team effort. My job is pretty easy, and it’s because everybody who works at Scranton does their job well,” said Shradnick, SCAAP’s deputy commander’s representative. “I appreciate the recognition, and it’s an honor.

“I always feel like I’m just doing my job, that I don’t need recognition for that, but I do appreciate it,” he added. “I’m happy at Scranton. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. The people and the mission are important.”

Shradnick, a 20-year Army Veteran, has been employed at SCAAP since 2011, and he’s held his current role for four years. Shradnick plays a key part in executing directives for the SCAAP’s daily operations. He integrates the plant’s complex activities and applies his expertise as a security strategist to ensure the continuous, secure operation of this vital defense production facility.

“Jason’s ability to align stakeholders, drive accountability, manage risk, and deliver measurable outcomes exemplifies a leadership style rooted in clarity, strategic foresight, and a relentless commitment to excellence. His approach not only accelerates progress but also builds trust, fosters collaboration, and ensures that complex initiatives translate into tangible results,” said Rich Hansen, SCAAP’s commander’s representative. “Jason communicates with purpose and empowers others to operate with confidence and precision.”

Shradnick sets a standard of excellence through proactive coordination, rigorous attention to detail, and alignment with Army priorities.

“Jason drove our preparation for the Army’s Real Property Accountability Assessment by coordinating weekly cross‑functional meetings, leading focused facility inspections, and working with the property specialist and contractor team to verify equipment and correct property records,” Hansen said. “Jason’s disciplined approach was the catalyst in SCAAP achieving the Army-mandated 60% audit readiness by the end of FY25, strengthening property completeness, supporting the Army’s material-downgrade objective, and safeguarding both mission readiness and organizational capability.”

Source: United States Army

SCRANTON, Pa. — Jason Shradnick appreciates being recognized for the work he puts in at the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant in Pennsylvania.

However, Shradnick doesn’t like to take individual credit when he receives awards.

Shradnick was among 12 individuals named as an Army Materiel Command Employee of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025.

“It’s a team effort. My job is pretty easy, and it’s because everybody who works at Scranton does their job well,” said Shradnick, SCAAP’s deputy commander’s representative. “I appreciate the recognition, and it’s an honor.

“I always feel like I’m just doing my job, that I don’t need recognition for that, but I do appreciate it,” he added. “I’m happy at Scranton. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. The people and the mission are important.”

Shradnick, a 20-year Army Veteran, has been employed at SCAAP since 2011, and he’s held his current role for four years. Shradnick plays a key part in executing directives for the SCAAP’s daily operations. He integrates the plant’s complex activities and applies his expertise as a security strategist to ensure the continuous, secure operation of this vital defense production facility.

“Jason’s ability to align stakeholders, drive accountability, manage risk, and deliver measurable outcomes exemplifies a leadership style rooted in clarity, strategic foresight, and a relentless commitment to excellence. His approach not only accelerates progress but also builds trust, fosters collaboration, and ensures that complex initiatives translate into tangible results,” said Rich Hansen, SCAAP’s commander’s representative. “Jason communicates with purpose and empowers others to operate with confidence and precision.”

Shradnick sets a standard of excellence through proactive coordination, rigorous attention to detail, and alignment with Army priorities.

“Jason drove our preparation for the Army’s Real Property Accountability Assessment by coordinating weekly cross‑functional meetings, leading focused facility inspections, and working with the property specialist and contractor team to verify equipment and correct property records,” Hansen said. “Jason’s disciplined approach was the catalyst in SCAAP achieving the Army-mandated 60% audit readiness by the end of FY25, strengthening property completeness, supporting the Army’s material-downgrade objective, and safeguarding both mission readiness and organizational capability.”

Source: United States Army

WIESBADEN, Germany— What began as a test of individual physical, mental, and tactical excellence ended as something more during the 2026 Installation Management Command-Europe Best Warrior Competition.

Over five days, 13 Soldiers and noncommissioned officers across IMCOM-Europe’s garrisons were pushed through a series of demanding events designed to test their technical and tactical proficiency, physical fitness and resiliency while enhancing expertise, training, professionalism and esprit de corps.

But beyond the grueling schedule of ranges, ruck marches, and warrior tasks; competitors found themselves building something unexpected, a team.

“The camaraderie that is built when you see a Soldier from USAG Italy having a conversation as if they’ve been best friend with another Soldier from USAG Poland they just met a couple of days ago,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Carbone, IMCOM-Europe’s senior enlisted advisor.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Maynard, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria’s noncommissioned officer competitor said the strength of the field drove him to perform at a higher level.

“The strength of the other competitors definitely pushed me further than I would have gone if it were just me,” said the Mims, Florida, native. “They [all] were just very talented Soldiers and pushed me to better myself.”

A shift in mindset became more apparent as the competition progressed.

“After the first two days, the guard started to go down amongst the competitors,” said Master Sgt. Isaiah Mott, IMCOM-E’s senior religious affairs noncommissioned officer. “They realized it’s okay for them to work together… they were ultimately a team.”

Spc. Josiah Edness, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart’s junior enlisted competitor, said the experience reinforced a broader mindset.

“Although this may be a competition, we’re still all fighting together at the end of the day,” said the Sumter, South Carolina native.

The shift was exactly what the competition was designed to produce.

“Competitions are designed to test a Soldier’s grit and resiliency, which help build the warfighter spirit,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Buteau, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the competition.

Buteau said the event also reinforces core Soldier skills across a diverse garrison force.

“It is important we come together to remember that we are more than desk sergeants or religious support professionals, we are Soldiers, first and always,” he said.

The pace and conditions forced competitors to apply skills under pressure, mirroring the uncertainty they may face in real-world operations.

“You don’t want to learn a new skill for the very first time in combat,” Carbone said. “This is an event that’s teaching them those skills … under conditions that may not be favorable to them.”

“Just a few days ago, you stood as individuals … from different garrisons who were practically strangers,” Carbone said during the closing ceremony. “Now look at you. You’re a single bonded unit.”

The week culminated in the selection of IMCOM-Europe’s top performers, recognizing the Warriors who rose above the demanding and fast-paced competition.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Maynard, representing USAG Bavaria, was named the 2026 IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer. Spc. Josiah Edness, representing USAG Stuttgart, was named the 2026 IMCOM-Europe Best Warrior Soldier.

In addition, three competitors – Spc. Valeria Martinez, Sgt. Matthew Liao, and Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Henning, earned the German Armed Forces Badge for Weapon Proficiency, known as the Schützenschnur, through a partnership with the Bundeswher.

The two best warriors will advance to represent IMCOM-Europe at the next level of competition as part of the Army Materiel Command Best Squad Competition.

Source: United States Army

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Soldiers from the Alaska Army National Guard’s Avalanche Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, honed their lethality and live-fire skills March 20-22 during the unit’s annual training.

Capt. Andrew Viray, Avalanche Company commander, maneuvered the company through the Infantry Platoon Battle Course, IPBC, one squad at a time. The company, used to dealing with avalanches in Alaska’s mountains, wore snowshoes to stay aloft and overwhite pants to conceal their movement along the blanketed boreal floor. Squads infiltrated through thick forest on their way to successive assaults upon groups of pop-up targets defending a frozen complex of berms.

Viray said the exercise was the culmination of months of foundational training, including individual movement techniques, marksmanship and team and squad infantry battle drills.

“The purpose of the squad live fire is to train and evaluate a squad’s ability to effectively fight, move and communicate under realistic combat conditions using live ammunition and ensure confidence in our leaders that they can control their squads and teams, and that we can keep building our lethality,” Viray said.

The IPBC is part of the U.S. military’s vast portfolio of range complexes and capabilities designed to offer troops unparalleled realism and instrumented data collection to hone formations to a fine edge, capabilities not afforded to adversaries.

Squads rehearsed the attack lane with dry and blank-fire iterations to get a sense of the mission and to work out kinks in their final execution. Locking and loading live ammunition, the units marched through the wood line and set up an objective rally point that the squad leader then temporarily left behind to recon the objective.

Coming back to rally their unit, the leader tactically marched the squad toward a position overlooking the objective with good fields of fire, leaving a support-by-fire, or SBF, element to concentrate fire on enemy targets to keep their heads down.

The squad leader then took the remainder of the element to flank the objective, signaling the SBF element to shift fires off the objective before lifting fires entirely as the assault element plowed through enemy positions.

There is no margin for error when it comes to safety, and there is a marked difference between marginally achieving the mission and aggressively assaulting the bunker line with overwhelming speed and violence of action.

Though other squads employed an assault element and an SBF element, the Soldiers of the weapons squad from both 1st and 2nd Platoon composed a dedicated support by fire using their M-240L 7.62mm machine guns.

The M-240L is a lighter version of the legacy M-240G, used by combat support units, shedding 5 pounds through a collapsible stock, a 4-inch-shorter barrel, a titanium receiver and a polymer trigger frame, resulting in a more agile and lethal gun.

Weapons squad leader Staff Sgt. Brendan White used a “talking guns” dialogue to ensure optimum suppression while preventing the guns from prematurely exhausting ammunition and overheating the barrels.

“The goal and purpose of talking guns is to make it seem like only one machine gun is in the position to mask our numbers,” White explained. “So, we have rates of fire that we choose, and each gun fires in sequence to mask our numbers.”

Viray said the weekend’s work was indicative of the company’s fighting spirit.

“Carrying through the objective, reaching the limit of advance, everybody fights in the Avalanche Company,” Viray said before invoking Avalanche Company’s motto: “Bury them.”

Source: United States Army

CAMP BLANDING JOINT TRAINING CENTER, Fla. — Soldiers and Airmen of the Florida National Guard conducted their first joint Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray certification in decades at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, March 23–26.

Personnel from the 715th Military Police Company and the 125th Security Forces Squadron hosted the training for Florida Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment and the 116th Field Artillery Regiment. More than 100 Guardsmen participated in nonlethal security training.

“Today we conducted the OC spray contamination level one,” said 1st Sgt. Spencer Gibbs, first sergeant of the 715th Military Police Company and an instructor for the Non-Lethal Weapons Instructor Course. “This contamination is both for familiarization and self confidence purposes. If they have to go down range and the OC spray is deployed, they recognize that and are able to fight through while still accomplishing the mission. This is the first time in my entire military career that I have supported a joint operation for qualification this way. I have served as an instructor for over 14 years and this is the largest instructional group I have been a part of. I am very proud of the level of motivation that the units demonstrated through it all.”

Following exposure to the spray, Soldiers navigated an obstacle course designed to test their ability to operate under stress. Participants applied physical defense and control techniques before detaining an individual, demonstrating proper procedures despite the contaminant’s effects.

“Everyone was pretty well prepared,” said Spc. Kirian Johnson, a military police Soldier with the 715th Military Police Company. “The environment was good, the course got all of your senses moving. The hardest part of going through this was the aftermath. Looking around, trying to regain your vision after, it’s difficult. This training is important because in a real world scenario if someone’s going to pepper spray me, I have to handle that scenario in a professional manner. I need to have an expectation of what’s going to happen and how it’s going to affect me.”

The Florida Army National Guard conducts OC spray certification and other security training to maintain readiness for both state and federal missions. As the Florida National Guard continues to operate as a joint force, realistic training scenarios remain critical to sustaining proficiency across the formation.

Experiences such as OC spray training build confidence and reinforce emotional control, enabling Guardsmen to manage reactions in chaotic situations rather than be overwhelmed.

“This is a type of training you won’t know how to handle until you go through it,” said Master Sgt. Jimmy Randolph, logistics superintendent of the 125th Security Forces Squadron. “Seeing people face the unknown and having the courage to go forth is one of the best parts of this training. This event gives us an opportunity to execute that team building and partnership aspect of our mission by coming together with our brothers and sisters and get them certified. The most beneficial part of these joint ops is coming together as a force and understanding each other’s roles, building camaraderie and that Guard unity. It gives us a platform to understand each other’s mission and how we come together while looking for ways to further train and develop in the future.”

The training also highlighted the importance of discipline, accountability and leadership in developing confident, mission-ready Guardsmen. Instructors maintained clear expectations throughout the event, reinforcing standards across all participating units.

“The military has set a standard for training,” said Gibbs. “Attitude sets everything, we give these Soldiers our expectations of motivation and what they can expect from us. At no point in time did the participants, or the training staff, deviate from those expectations. That’s a testimony to the instructors and the leadership that’s ready to get the job done and complete the mission. I think that by doing that, not just in the training grounds but in the field, keeping that morale up is going to allow us to be more successful in the future.”

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