Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

ALASKA — In the unforgiving Arctic environment, where extreme cold, distance and terrain impose relentless demands on Soldiers and equipment alike, sustainment operations must function with precision, adaptability and speed.

During Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Alaska, the Logistics Support Element (Division), assigned to the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade under Army Sustainment Command, served as a conduit between the 11th Airborne Division and the Army Materiel Command enterprise — accelerating solutions that extended beyond the tactical level.

The 402nd AFSB, as Army Sustainment Command’s theater Army Field Support Brigade for U.S. Army Pacific, delivers enterprise sustainment across the Indo-Pacific through its Army Field Support Battalions in Alaska and Hawaii. For Army Field Support Battalion–Alaska, JPMRC represents a large-scale validation of its ability to integrate installation support, enterprise reach and field-level responsiveness in one of the Army’s most demanding environments.

Rather than acting as an additional layer of command, the LSE (D) provides access to enterprise-level capabilities designed to resolve sustainment challenges that exceed division-level capacity. By synchronizing with the 11th Airborne Division G-4 and working alongside AFSBn–Alaska sustainment professionals, the team translates operational friction into actionable requirements addressed through Life Cycle Management Commands and subject-matter experts across the Army.

“Our role during JPMRC was to connect division-level challenges to enterprise-level solutions,” said Maj. Makar. “When a problem exceeded the tactical level, we leveraged the Army Materiel Command network to resolve it rapidly.”

Lt. Col. Eric J. Erickson, commander of AFSBn–Alaska, explained that the LSE (D) provides capabilities not organic to the division’s sustainment structure.

“The LSE provides direct synchronization of Life Cycle Management Command representatives and enables effective command and control of enterprise-level sustainment capabilities,” Erickson said. “It connects the division to specialized expertise and resources that are not organic to the formation.”

That enterprise reach proved decisive when an electrical issue rendered a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle non-mission capable. After unit-level troubleshooting and evacuation procedures were completed, the LSE (D) engaged a Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Logistics Assistance Representative to diagnose and correct the failure. The vehicle was restored to operational status within 24 hours, preserving combat power during a critical phase of the rotation.

Enterprise integration extended beyond ground platforms. When communications degradation threatened connectivity across dispersed training areas, the LSE (D) exercised a call forward to engage Communications-Electronics Command subject-matter experts.

“We exercised a call forward and physically drove into the exercise area to work on a Very Small Aperture Terminal, or VSAT,” Makar said. “Due to the satellites’ equatorial positioning, the dish required precise re-triangulation. Until formations fully transition to next-generation systems, those terminals remain critical to operations.”

By rapidly connecting units to specialized expertise, the 402nd AFSB ensured communications — and therefore mission command — remained uninterrupted during the rotation.

Beyond resolving individual equipment failures, the LSE (D) and AFSBn–Alaska contribute to enterprise-wide readiness by identifying trends that extend beyond a single formation or rotation.

“We have the ability to operate at the enterprise level,” Makar said. “For aviation systems, we observed recurring issues with blower motors inside AH-64 cockpits. Those failures followed a predictable cycle. By providing that trend analysis to the Army Materiel Command enterprise, we help drive solutions that impact the entire fleet — not just one unit.”

Through digital tools and shared visibility platforms, the LSE (D) translates operational data gathered during exercises like JPMRC into actionable insights. Leveraging platforms such as Vantage and Maven, the team aggregates maintenance data, identifies recurring failure patterns and strengthens predictive sustainment efforts. Rather than reacting to equipment breakdowns, sustainment planners can anticipate demand signals and adjust support posture before readiness is degraded.

This enterprise feedback loop ensures lessons learned in Alaska strengthen readiness far beyond the Arctic.

While sustainment processes remain consistent between garrison and exercise environments, the Arctic amplifies every variable.

“In Alaska, temperature changes everything,” Erickson said. “Extreme cold impacts maintenance timelines, equipment reliability and the way we manage personnel. We’ve conducted operations in temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees, with wind chills reaching minus 56. At those levels, work-rest cycles become critical — you might spend 15 minutes outside and require 45 minutes inside to recover. Even receiving a HIMARS system overnight requires thawing the equipment before we can safely begin maintenance. Sustainment here requires anticipation, adaptation and respect for the environment.”

These realities transform sustainment into a matter of survivability as much as readiness, underscoring the importance of AFSBn–Alaska’s daily mission in support of the 11th Airborne Division.

Looking beyond the current rotation, Erickson said JPMRC provides measurable feedback for both installation-level support and enterprise integration.

“From an installation perspective, we’re examining policies and processes — particularly in areas like Central Issue Facility operations — to identify opportunities to streamline support and remove friction,” Erickson said. “From the LSE perspective, maintaining a fully integrated Logistics Support Element during JPMRC demonstrates measurable value to the division. It reinforces the importance of enterprise synchronization and positions us to refine that model moving forward.”

Exercises like JPMRC serve as validation points for both the battalion and the broader 402nd AFSB network, testing equipment endurance, sustainment systems and operational processes under extreme conditions.

Ultimately, the LSE (D) and AFSBn–Alaska enable the warfighter by preserving time and combat power.

“It saves time, preserves readiness and allows units to focus on warfighting skills,” Makar said. “We are strategic enablers, solving Army-wide problems at the point of friction.”

For leaders across the force, the message is clear: the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade and its subordinate battalions provide scalable, enterprise-connected sustainment designed to meet the combatant commander’s demand signal — in Alaska and across the Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States Army

ANSBACH, Germany — USAG Ansbach holds its next Community Leaders’ Information Forum (CLIF) Wednesday, March 17, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Von Steuben Community Center.

The CLIF is held quarterly and open to the USAG Ansbach community. The intent is to enable communication between Ansbach community spouses, unit FRG leaders, Garrison leadership, and key service partners.

The CLIF will be live-streamed on the Garrison Facebook page at Facebook.com/USAGAnsbachCommunity.

The CLIF addresses garrison services, community updates, and provides community members the opportunity to interact directly with directorates and service providers. Information is shared, feedback is heard, and conversation is encouraged.

The December 2025 CLIF slides are available at: https://go.mil/34b8w39yt5. Updated slides for March 2026 will be made available here.

Source: United States Army

MIHAIL KOGĂLNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 214th Military Police Company, Alabama Army National Guard continue to demonstrate steadfast commitment to the safety and security of U.S. Army Garrison Black Sea. This week, they had the opportunity to execute a joint active threat training exercise with the Romanian, French, and German Armed Forces on Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base.

While forward-deployed in Romania, the 214th Military Police Company remains responsible for law enforcement, force protection, physical security, customs, and in-transit security operations.

Capt. Gavin Self-Poole, commander of the 214th Military Police Company, emphasized the importance of their role and daily coordination with partner nations.

“Executing these missions ensures a secure operating environment that enables mission success, maintains freedom of movement, and allows us to continually build interoperability with our NATO partners,” said Self-Poole.

The continuous coordination between the U.S. Army and Romanian, French, and German Armed Forces Military Police laid the framework for a collaborative training approach designed to strengthen collective readiness and refine shared response procedures.

As a result, leaders from each organization came together to develop a joint training plan and identified active threat preparedness as a critical component to maintaining safety across the installation.

“The purpose of our active threat training was to ensure our forces can respond together swiftly and effectively in high-pressure situations. Training side by side allows us to align our tactics and demonstrate our shared commitment to base security,” said Self-Poole.

More than 30 Military Police Officers from four different NATO countries participated in the training. Together, they overcame language barriers, established joint standard operating procedures, and learned how to respond to multiple different scenarios as a multinational team.

“Completing joint training with our NATO partners has increased our unit’s proficiency by improving our coordination, communication, and compatibility. These experiences directly enhance our readiness to work as a united force during any incident on MKAB,” said Self-Poole.

The 214th Military Police Company plans to continue their joint training efforts over the next month with multinational exercises focused on crisis management and security operations. Through this training, they remain focused on strengthening partnerships and demonstrating their preparedness to maintain collective security for U.S. Army Garrison Black Sea.

Source: United States Army

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – “The battalion command teams training (event) is a valuable opportunity for our commanders to come together, collaborate, and share lessons learned,” said Lt. Col. Franklin Simmons, Executive Officer, 188th Infantry Brigade, based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. “It also provides an excellent platform for commanders and command sergeants major to receive input from the G-staffs at the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, First Army, and United States Army Reserve Command,”

The 85th USARSC held their annual Bn CMD TT event, February 20-22, 2026, at their headquarters in Arlington Heights, Ill.

“I encourage you to talk to people you haven’t talked to,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Shanley, Commanding General, 85th USARSC, addressing attendees at the event. “Make those partnerships and take advantage of the benefits of this type of training which brings people from the 85th USARSC, First Army, and USARC together.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Brian McManus, command sergeant major of the 2-345th Training Support Battalion, based at Fort Jackson, SC, attended previous Bn CMD TT events and found the annual gathering productive.

“It’s a valuable event; this is my fourth time attending. I’ve participated in these training meetings before, and they consistently offer excellent networking opportunities,” McManus said during a break. “They allow us to connect with peers and observe how others are managing similar challenges and issues we face.”

The Bn CMD TT event brought together members of the 120th, 181st, 188th, and 189th Infantry Brigades, 1st Army, and USARSC.

“I found the battalion command teams training meeting to be the most productive,” said Lt. Col. Roberto Rodriguez, battalion commander for the 2-345th TSBN. “I have been able to pick the brains of my fellow battalion commanders and their command sergeants major, and figure out what to do and what not to do when dealing with future mobilizations and trainings.”

During the event, Bill Hamilton, Deputy G3/5/7, USARC, highlighted the vital role of Army Reserve Soldiers, especially those from the 85th USARSC, in training and preparing reserve and National Guard Soldiers for mobilizations and overseas deployments.

The 85th USARSC will conduct their next battalion command teams training event in the coming months to host the remainder of their command teams across their formation.

Source: United States Army

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – The West Virginia National Guard welcomed the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces commander and senior leaders during a Feb. 13 tour of Scouting America facilities at the Summit Bechtel Reserve as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen international partnerships and prepare for the Scouting America National Jamboree scheduled for this summer.

Maj. Gen. Rashid Al-Hajri, commander of the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces, led a delegation to West Virginia, where they met with West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward and key leaders. During the visit, Guard leaders outlined plans to integrate Qatari and West Virginia National Guard military personnel to support large-scale event security and training missions, with a focus on sharing best practices and operational coordination.

The engagement is part of the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program and reflects the relationship between the West Virginia National Guard and Qatar that continues to evolve through shared training and mission support.

“The relationship with West Virginia and Qatar is long standing, and I think it’s a very warm and friendly partnership,” said Seward, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration and engagement.

Al-Hajri expressed his commitment to strengthening ties and learning alongside the West Virginia National Guard.

“We are always keen on having a strong relationship between Qatar Military Police and the West Virginia National Guard,” Al-Hajri said. “We want to increase the momentum of our long-standing relationship to benefit future joint operations.”

This is not the first time an SPP relationship has grown through the Jamboree support mission. In 2017, Soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard and the Peruvian Army took advantage of the opportunity to train together at the 2017 National Jamboree on the Summit Bechtel Reserve. The purpose of that training was to exchange tactics and procedures between U.S. military police and Peruvian officers.

The Jamboree strengthened the 20-year relationship between West Virginia and Peru through the State Partnership Program.

This summer, the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces plans to provide about 40-45 personnel for the National Jamboree. They will work side-by-side with West Virginia National Guard personnel who will conduct security operations throughout the event.

The National Jamboree is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors from across the country. The Qatar Armed Forces Military Police and the West Virginia National Guard will partner on mission sets such as route control, crowd management, and facility security, while also providing opportunities to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures. The joint effort will provide both forces with real-world experience in large-scale event security operations and enhance their ability to operate together in future missions.

“We want to be one team,” Al-Hajri said. “We are grateful and happy to support any engagement and partnership in the future.”

The visit also highlighted Qatar’s broader role as a critical security partner in the Middle East, particularly through its support to U.S. and coalition air and missile defense operations. Qatar hosts key U.S. military infrastructure and defense capabilities that help protect regional airspace from significant threats. These capabilities – operated through combined and coordinated command structures – serve as a cornerstone of regional defense, deterring aggression and contributing to stability across the Middle East.

For West Virginia Guardsmen, many of whom have served in the Middle East alongside these air defense units, the partnership with Qatar represents more than a training opportunity – it reflects a shared commitment to regional and global security. These defense systems are owned and operated by the United States military, and their presence at Al Udeid Air Base is enabled by a long-standing defense cooperation agreement with Qatar. This partnership enables coordinated command and control of air defense operations, demonstrating how allied nations work together to protect critical infrastructure, safeguard civilian populations and maintain freedom of movement in a complex security environment.

The concept of burden sharing, in which allied partners share responsibility for security operations, was a central theme throughout the visit. By training together in West Virginia and operating together abroad, both the West Virginia National Guard and the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces build interoperability, trust and readiness for future deployments.

For West Virginia, the partnership with Qatar also brings tangible benefits at home. Joint training events at the Summit Bechtel Reserve enhance the West Virginia National Guard’s readiness, bring international collaboration to the state and reinforce West Virginia’s role as a key contributor to national defense and global partnerships.

As preparations continue for the National Jamboree and future joint operations, leaders from both forces expressed confidence that the relationship will continue to grow, strengthening security, supporting shared missions and building lasting ties between the people of Qatar and West Virginia.

“We are grateful for this partnership and for the opportunity to work side by side,” Al-Hajri said. “Together, we strengthen our forces and contribute to stability both at home and abroad.”

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National Guard State Partnership Website – https://www.nationalguard.mil/Leadership/Joint-Staff/J-5/International-Affairs-Division/State-Partnership-Program/

Source: United States Army

BRUNSSUM, Netherlands – Sean Flynn was still new to the New York Army National Guard on Sept. 11, 2001, when two hijacked planes slammed into New York City’s Twin Towers.

He responded to the aftermath of the attack — dealing with dust and death — and then led a company in the streets of Baghdad and served as executive officer of a battalion in combat in Afghanistan.

Flynn had previously served as an Air Force public affairs officer in Alaska from 1994 to 1997. Then, in 2000 — after a break in the inactive reserves — he became 1st Lt. Flynn in the “Fighting 69th,” the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment.

Eventually, he left his career in corporate communications and became a full-time Guardsman, serving as a battalion and brigade commander and a division chief of staff in Kuwait.

Now, Maj. Gen. Sean Flynn is the top-ranking American officer in one of NATO’s three allied joint force commands.

Flynn, a resident of the Albany suburb of Delmar, is the deputy chief of staff for operations at Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum. The command takes its name from its location in the Netherlands.

The command focuses on joint operations in central Europe, with a special focus on Poland and the Baltic countries, which are right next to Russia, Flynn explained.

The command is structured to control up to 250,000 troops from multiple countries, Flynn said. His job is to coordinate the operations of the headquarters and synchronize those forces, he explained.

His background as a National Guard officer has helped him quite a bit in the job he has had since Dec. 1, Flynn said.

“There are so many parallels between our work in the National Guard and working with a 32-nation alliance,” he said.

Guardsmen are used to working with different state Guard units, which all do things a little bit differently, Flynn explained.

Guard leaders get used to making all those different units mesh and to working with local police, fire departments and political leaders, he added.

“Just as the states and territories in the U.S. have their own interests and priorities and operational approaches, so do the nations here in NATO have their own interests and priorities,” Flynn said.

Guardsmen are also very good at applying their civilian skills in their military life, Flynn said.

His civilian background as a New York City-based consultant in strategic communications for large multinational corporations has also helped him work more effectively in the NATO environment, Flynn said.

Flynn comes from a family of New York Army National Guardsmen.

His father, Col. Walter M. Flynn, served, and his uncle, Maj. Gen. Lawrence P. Flynn was the adjutant general of New York.

A great-great-grandfather served in the Irish Legion in the Civil War, and that ancestor’s brother, Capt. Edward K. Butler, served in the 69th New York Infantry at Bull Run in 1861, then died in action at the Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864.

Other Flynn ancestors and relatives served in the Fighting 69th during the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II, he said.

So, after serving in the Air Force — and writing a book about his experiences in Alaska — it was logical for him to join New York’s historic Irish regiment himself, Flynn said.

When the 69th Infantry deployed to Iraq in 2004-2005, Flynn was part of the battalion’s fight to secure Route Irish, the road from Baghdad Airport to the Green Zone.

Flynn wrote about that mission in his 2008 book, “The Fighting 69th: From Ground Zero to Baghdad.”

In 2012, he deployed to Shindand, Afghanistan, with the 108th Infantry, where the Soldiers conducted 577 security missions.

He went on to command the 69th, serve as chief of staff of the 42nd Infantry Division and then command the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

In July 2023, Flynn made the leap to general officer, pinning on the one star of a brigadier general and deploying to Europe as the deputy United States military representative to NATO’s Military Committee in Brussels.

The U.S. military representative serves as the direct representative for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to NATO, Flynn said. For half his time in Brussels, Flynn served as the acting military representative, from July to December 2023 and again from April to November 2025.

“That was an amazing job,” Flynn said.

“What an incredible opportunity it is to participate on the very leading edge of policy creation and implementation for the joint force,” Flynn said. “This is not something that National Guard officers are commonly exposed to.”

He has clearly had an unusual career for a National Guard officer, Flynn said.

Along with his command and division chief-of-staff roles, he has also served at the New York National Guard headquarters in key staff roles.

But like every other Guardsman, he started out just trying to balance his military life and civilian life, Flynn recalled.

“I think all of us, throughout our careers, are constantly trying to wrestle with how to make service work for us, with our jobs and with our families,” Flynn said.

“We make decisions, we make compromises, but we don’t know where it is going to go.”

“If you take each assignment seriously and give it your level best, you may get the opportunity to serve at another echelon or another capacity that you never imagined,” he said.

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Source: United States Army

AUGUSTA, Maine. – The Maine National Guard mobilized today to assist the State of Rhode Island following a significant winter storm that brought heavy snowfall and widespread impacts to the region.

With the assistance of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, Soldiers and equipment were en route within less than 48 hours of the request from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

The contingent includes 24 Soldiers and 10 dump trucks from the 120th Regional Support Group’s 133rd Engineer Battalion and 286th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, which will be used to haul snow from critical infrastructure areas, roadways, and public spaces and help Rhode Island agencies expedite recovery efforts and restore normal operations throughout the City of Providence.

Personnel deploying on this mission are under the authority of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual aid agreement that enables states to support one another during emergencies and natural disasters.

“When our neighbors call for help, the Maine National Guard is ready to respond,” said Maj. Gen. Diane Dunn, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. “We are proud to be able to support the state of Rhode Island during their time of need.”

The Soldiers mobilized for this mission are licensed and experienced in operating heavy equipment in a variety of terrain and weather. Their efforts will directly support local and state authorities in clearing snow to improve public safety and accessibility.

“Our Soldiers are trained, equipped, and prepared to operate in challenging winter conditions,” said Lt. Col. Adam Davis, deputy commander of the 120th Regional Support Group, Maine Army National Guard. “Supporting our local communities and neighbors is one of the situations we are always ready for as citizen Soldiers. We’re looking forward to helping Rhode Island communities recover from the storm more quickly and safely.”

The Maine National Guard remains prepared to respond to state emergencies at home while simultaneously supporting regional and federal missions as needed.

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National Guard YouTube – https//www.youtube.com/TheNationalGuard

National Guard Instagram – https//instagram.com/us.nationalguard

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:

• German, like English, belongs to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family. Other languages in the Germanic branch include Dutch, Norwegian, Yiddish, Icelandic and extinct languages such as Gothic, Burgundian and Vandalan.
• There are 155 million people worldwide who speak German as their mother tongue or as a second language.
• The language is an official or co-official language of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy (in South Tyrol).
• Besides “Hochdeutsch,” the standard German in Germany, there are many dialects of German both in Europe and elsewhere. In the U.S. there are Pennsylvanian Dutch, Wisconsin German dialects and Texasdeutsch.
• According to the U.S. Department of State, German is a Category II language, meaning it requires 36 weeks of in-class training or 828 class hours (a figure somewhat less than Twain’s estimation).

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 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 Army

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – National Guard Soldiers from various backgrounds, skillsets and military occupational specialties attending a 10-day small unmanned aircraft system operator course, or sUAS, are learning how to operate small drones.

The course, which began Feb. 19 and ends Feb. 28, is being conducted by the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute.

“It’s been a great course,” said Sgt. Stephen Scharf, a student from 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment. “It’s a very evolving world, so there are a lot of new ideas coming out. A lot of things are changing very rapidly.

The course is structured to encourage students to adopt a tactical mindset and understand how the things they learn can be integrated into a large-scale combat operation, said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Wahl, the sUAS operator course manager.

“One of my main goals here is to make it as realistic as we can,” he said. “So, it’s important for everyone to know how to operate one, because at any point you could be tasked with operating it.”

Several members of the 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia National Guard, attended the course because their unit is deploying soon. They’ll be using these drones on their deployment, Spc. Simon Bertram said.

“For infantry, it’s very necessary for reconnaissance,” Bertram said. “Getting more drone operators will be very beneficial.”

Other attendees of the course came to learn a new skill. Scharf said the course has been very informative.

“It’s an evolving world, and a lot of things are changing very rapidly,” he said. “The instructors are doing their best to stay on top of it and disseminating that info.”

Scharf mentioned that this course and the information it provides have been beneficial not just for himself but for the Army as a whole.

“It’s something that as we develop this, more doctrine gets established,” he said. “It’s going to be something that you’re going to see more widespread throughout both the Guard and the Army.”

The course is open to National Guard members of all military occupational specialties.

“There are infantrymen here, some of them are engineers,” Wahl said. “One of the students is an intel guy. There’s all kinds of jobs that come through.”

“All of these different jobs in the Army will be affected by sUAS’s,” Scharf said. “Sometimes that might be that you have to figure out how, which is a great thing.”

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