Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and Joint Task Force-National Capital Region recently coordinated a training exercise at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as part of a synchronized effort to advance counter-drone capabilities in the National Capital Region.

Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) are undergoing special training on the Bumblebee V1 counter-UAS system as part of a broader effort to strengthen layered defenses protecting key Department of War infrastructure in the homeland. The training focuses on equipping Soldiers with the ability to detect, track, identify and defeat drones with minimal risk to surrounding personnel and facilities.

“We want to train our warfighters in the National Capital Region on how best to employ low cost, low collateral kinetic effectors,” said Lt. Col. Alex Morse, JIATF-401 acquisition lead. “The training at Ft. Belvoir adds to the layered defense systems that are set up here in the NCR.”

The Bumblebee system is a small drone that is being operationally assessed for dual use as a reconnaissance asset and a counter-UAS platform that allows operators to identify and intercept hostile drones using a controlled, low-collateral approach.

“Bumblebee’s improved air-to-air capability will enhance our layered defenses by enabling warfighters to follow drones back to their launch point to identify the operator, or by destroying them in the air with minimal risk to people or property on the ground.” said Lt. Col. Adam Scher, JIATF-401 spokesperson.

JIATF-401 is focused on creating a layered defense against the threat of drones by integrating systems and rapidly increasing capabilities. By synchronizing efforts with JTF-NCR, JIATF-401 is leading a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland through innovation and interoperability. The addition of Bumblebee systems represents a deliberate step in expanding the tools available for our warfighters to use against the persistent threat of UAS.

“Countering drones is both a battlefield and a homeland defense imperative. We have to work together, share information, and leverage the entire joint force along with interagency and law enforcement partners to keep pace with this threat,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401.

“We will not be limited to library-based radio frequency defeat systems as we protect against drone threats,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ross, director of JIATF-401. “We must be proactive with a layered defense, including kinetic defeat options at every War Department base or facility.”

As unmanned threats evolve, success will depend not only on acquiring top-tier technology, but also on ensuring our warfighters are properly trained and have the necessary permissions to effectively employ c-UAS technology in defense of the homeland.

Source: United States Army

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas–More than 300 international officers have been included in the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s International Hall of Fame, inducting two more in a ceremony April 9, 2026, on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The inductees were Lieutenant General Ingrid Gjerde, Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Chief of Defence, Norwegian Armed Forces, CGSOC Class of 2006, and Minister Geraldine George, Minister of Defense of Liberia, CGSOC Class of 2013.

In addition to both being the sixth inductee from their respective nations, Gjerde and George shared the importance of their CGSC education being a representation of the importance of partner and ally relations.

Returning to Fort Leavenworth 20 years after graduating from CGSOC and School of Advanced Military Studies, Gjerde reflected on how her time here shaped her career and personal character.

“I’m very sure I’ve benefited greatly from what I experienced here in Kansas. It has probably made me a stronger and more professional leader,” Gjerde said.

She described her time here in a short list of memories to include academics, but not in the traditional sense of curriculum.

During her time as a student, retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus became commandant of CGSC, following a command assignment in Iraq.

She noted the commandant’s speed and intention in shifting the curriculum to current events.

“What I’ve brought with me from that experience is the importance of making changes and learning from what you are doing,” Gjerde said. “I’ve thought about that many times as a commander myself, that you have to take action and change rapidly when required.”

While Gjerde described the strength she acquired across professional and personal spectrums during her time as a CGSC student, the most impactful was that of national security.

She cited the Norwegian Armed Forces motto to emphasize her point: “For all you have and all you are.”

“We learn about security politics, we learn about warfighting, but I think one of the most important things for us professional officers is also to question what we are fighting for,” Gjerde said. “As a young officer, I was very much focused on fighting for what we have. The Norwegian territory, our physical values, our fisheries, our oil income, all our physical things. After all these years working with or in war and conflict,it’s obvious to me that the last part of our motto is the most important one. We have to fight for who we are. Our core values, our democracy, our freedoms, our dignity, the society we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in.”

Gjerde achieved her current position as the second highest ranking officer of the Norwegian Armed Forces in2023.

The same character and leadership attributes highlighted by Gjerde were also used to describe the reason behind George’s desire to serve.

Following a 14-year civil war in Liberia, George was among the first group of soldiers in 2006 to serve in the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia.

She achieved her current position in April 2024.

“Minister George is a valuable and important partner in West Africa. Her vision for the continued professionalization of the Armed Forces of Liberia is merely one example of her leadership and her commitment, her efforts to builder her military’s capacity, prioritize the welfare of AFL personnel and families, and improve civil military relations underscore her remarkable dedication to her military and her country,”Lt. Gen. Jim Isenhower, commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Command and Fort Leavenworth said.

George reflected on her country’s connection to the United States,in what she described as one of “freedom and self-determination.”

Graduating seven years following Gjerde, she described, like her fellow inductee, the most impactful lessons from her time at Fort Leavenworth expanded beyond academic.

“To be inducted into the Command and General Staff College Hall of Fame is not merely a personal honor,” George said. “It is a recognition of the enduring partnership between our nations and a testament of the shared value of duty, leadership and service.”

The induction, according to George, is more than a recognition of her career.

It serves as a call to action for all current and future inductees.

“This award is a challenge to continue striving for excellence, to lead with integrity and to uphold the highest idea of the profession of arms,” she said.

“Our IHOF inductees represent the pinnacle of both personal and professional achievement as senior military and government leaders. I’m glad our current students can bear witness to our recognition of these distinguished graduates,” Isenhower said. “This is a significant day as the induction ceremony represents the fulfillment of the potential that resides within every student in our military education system. And a reflection of investment made by our partners and allies as well as our own Army in the professional military education of these officers and all our officers.”

The ceremony can be viewed here.

About the IHOF

In 1973, the CGSC, the Kansas City Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, and the Alumni Association – now known as the CGSC Foundation -jointly established the International Hall of Fame.

The hall’s purpose is to provide a prestigious and visible means of recognition for international graduates, who through military merit, attained qualifying positions of importance in their respective country’s armed forces;or who have held an equivalent position by rank or responsibility in a recognized multinational military organization.

To date, CGSC has inducted 310 international graduates from 83 different nations into the IHOF.

Biography – Lieutenant General Ingrid Gjerde

Lieutenant General Ingrid Margrethe Gjerde is a high-ranking officer in the Norwegian Armed Forces who has achieved several historic milestones in the military.

Early Life and Education

Born on July 29, 1968, in Bærum, Norway, Gjerde began her military service on July 1, 1987. She completed her initial training at the Officer Candidate School (1987–1989) and graduated from the Norwegian Army Military Academy in 1992. Parallel to her military progression, she earned a Master of Political Science from the University of Oslo in 2005. Her advanced military education includes a Master of Military Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College (2006) and a Master of Military Strategy from the United States Army War College (2013).

Career Milestones and Historic Commands

Gjerde’s early career featured various leadership roles, including platoon commander positions in Brigade Nord and with UNIFIL in Lebanon. Between 1996 and 1999, she served in various capacities within the Telemark Battalion, including as a company commander during the SFOR mission in Bosnia.

She is widely recognized for prestigious roles within the Norwegian military:

His Majesty the King’s Guard:In 2006, she became commander of the battalion.

Norwegian Army Military Academy:From 2013 to 2016, she served as Commandant of the academy.

International Leadership:Between 2021 and 2023, she served as the Force Commander for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

Senior Leadership

Following her tenure as the Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Army (2016–2018), Gjerde moved into high-level strategic roles. She served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans at the Defence Staff starting in 2019. In late 2023, she was appointed Chief of the Norwegian Defence Staff and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, making her the second-highest-ranking officer in the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Decorations and Personal Life

Gjerde has received numerous honors, including the Defence Service Medal, the Defence Operations Medal for Afghanistan, and the United Nations Medal for service in Lebanon.

She is married to Rune Jensen, and they have two children. Her personal interests include literature, sports, and outdoor activities.

Biography – Minister Geraldine George

Minister Geraldine Janet George was confirmed by the Liberian Senate on 30 April 2024, making her Liberia’s first ever female Minister of National Defense. She is a career soldier with extensive military leadership skills. She has served in the following posts in the Armed Forces of Liberia: Deputy Chief of Staff, Acting Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Military Police Company Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Brigade S-5, CIMIC Officer, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Provost Marshal, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Legal Officer, Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; Acting Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (ACOS J1)(2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation (ACOS J3) (2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters.

Minister George, a graduate from the College of West Africa (CWA), holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations, Webster University, USA; and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College, Monrovia. She also obtained several certificates: Intelligence, Fight against Terrorism, Rome, Italy; Administration of Justice, Liberia Institute of Public Administration, Monrovia; Public Sector Management, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone.

Minister George was enlisted into the AFL on July 24, 2006, as part of the first batch of soldiers of the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia. She subsequently attained the following certificates and diplomas: Initial Entry Training (IET), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Advance Individual Training (AIT), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Officer Candidate School (OCS), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Benning, USA; Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Benning, USA; Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, USA; Company Commander Course, Rwanda Military Academy, GAKO, Rwanda; Junior Staff Course (JSC), Horton Academy, Freetown, Sierra Leone; United States Army Command and General Staff College, USA; and United Nations Staff Officer and Military Component Planning Process (Western Accord 14), USA.

Her awards and authorizations include:Distinguished Graduate Advance Individual Training, 22 December 2006; Pistol Classification Sharp Shooter, January 2008; and the United Nations Medal (MINUSMA), 28 SEPT 2017. She is authorized to wear the Fort Leavenworth School Badge from the Command and General staff College, the International Students Military Badge, and the Basic Military Police School Badge.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy — Paola Del Din, one of Italy’s most storied World War II partisans and a pioneering figure in airborne history, received the prestigious Order of Saint Michael Award during a ceremony at her residence, April 9, 2026.

Command Sgt. Maj. Chad B. Harness, senior enlisted advisor, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), presented the award in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the airborne community and her enduring legacy of courage.

“Recognizing Ms. Del Din here, traveling from the base that bears her family’s name, is a privilege for all of us,” said Harness. “Her service, her bravery, and her life-long dedication to the ideals we defend continue to inspire generations of paratroopers on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Del Din, at 102 years old, remains a symbol of resistance, sacrifice and the shared history between Italian and American airborne forces. She became the fourteenth civilian to receive the Order of Saint Michael Award.

“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Del Din. “I fondly remember the great kindness of the American aviators when I flew with them and I’m grateful to still be involved with the greater airborne community.”

Del Din’s wartime service remains singular in military history. As a young member of the Italian resistance, she volunteered for some of the most dangerous missions of the conflict, crossing lines in Florence, traveling in makeshift vehicles to transport information across the regions. In September of 1944, she attended a four-day paratrooper course in San Vito dei Normanni, southern Italy, with the aim of being able to return to the north more quickly in the fight for freedom.

On April 9, 1945, she became the first woman to conduct a combat parachute jump to deliver important documents to advancing Allied units, landing in Friuli, northeast Italy, a territory still occupied by Germans, Cossacks, and Fascists.

Her actions 81 years ago contributed to the liberation of northeast Italy and cemented her place among the most decorated female veterans of the era. Over the decades, she has remained an advocate for airborne heritage, democratic values, and the memory of those who fought for Italy’s freedom.

“My hope is that, even in some small way, others are inspired to do something positive for their country,” said Del Din. “It takes regular people to stand up and fight for what they believe in. That’s what my family did back then, and that’s what we need to ensure a brighter future.”

The Order of Saint Michael Award, presented by the U.S. Army Aviation Association of America, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the Army Aviation community. While traditionally associated with aviators and aviation supporters, the award also recognizes those whose actions have profoundly shaped airborne operations, heritage and esprit de corps. Recipients are selected for their leadership, service and lasting impact on the broader aviation and airborne profession.

“Ms. Del Din embodies the spirit of the Order of Saint Michael,” said Harness. “Her courage under fire, the commitment to her fellow comrades in arms and her lifelong dedication to preserving airborne history reflect the highest ideals of our profession.”

The ceremony also highlighted the longstanding partnership between U.S. and Italian forces stationed in Vicenza at Caserma Ederle and Del Din.

Caserma Del Din, the installation named in honor of her brother, Renato Del Din, an officer in the Alpine troops deployed in the mountains, who was killed in action in 1944, stands as a daily reminder of the Del Din family’s commitment to freedom. His valor and sacrifice inspired Paola to take the nom de guerre “Renata” as she carried out more than eleven combat fights in support of partisan operations.

“Her story is part of our story,” Harness said. “Honoring her today strengthens the bond between our nations and reinforces the values we defend together.”

Following the presentation, Del Din expressed gratitude for the recognition and emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made for freedom.

“It was nothing I did alone, it was my country and my brotherhood that liberated us… I am free, that is the point.”

SETAF-AF and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, headquartered at Caserma Del Din, routinely train alongside Italian paratroopers, continuing a legacy of cooperation that stretches back to World War II. Del Din’s presence serves as a living bridge between past and present, reminding Soldiers of the human stories behind the institutions they serve.

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

PARSONS, Kan. — The U.S. Army and Day & Zimmerman opened a new facility in Parsons dedicated to producing 155mm M795 artillery projectiles. The ribbon cutting ceremony, hosted by Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Agile Sustainment and Ammunition, marked a critical step in expanding 155mm artillery production capacity further enhancing the nation’s Defense Industrial Base.

The Kansas facility is a key component of the Army’s comprehensive strategy to modernize and increase its capacity to produce artillery munitions. The load, assemble and pack process is the final step to deliver 155mm munitions to the warfighter. At full operational capacity, the plant will be able to produce 12,000 M795 projectiles monthly further driving toward the goal of expanding 155mm production capacity to 100,000 rounds per month. This increased capacity is a direct result of a U.S Army investment of $36 million in non-recurring engineering and production establishment activities.

“This facility is a testament to the strength of the partnership between the U.S. Army and American industry. It marks the 13th ribbon cutting in the Army’s ongoing campaign to strengthen the Arsenal of Freedom through munitions production, modernization and expansion of our Defense Industrial Base,” said Reim during the ceremony. “The speed and scale of our response to current global conflicts demand that we increase production capacity of critical munitions like 155mm artillery. The work done here in Parsons is another important step in furthering a credible deterrence with the added industrial capacity to sustain combat operations over time.”

The finished 155mm artillery rounds produced at the plant are a cornerstone of modern ground warfare and are essential for enhancing the readiness of our warfighters and delivering lethal overmatch capabilities. The facility leverages enhanced automation and refined processes to deliver unmatched production efficiency, enabling swift accomplishment of the Army’s mission. This expansion of production capacity directly supports the Army’s commitment to providing lethal capabilities to the joint warfighter and our international partners at speed and scale.

For more information, please contact the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Agile Sustainment & Ammunition Public Affairs Office at usarmy.pica.jpeo-aa.mbx.jpeo-aa-public-affairs@army.mil.

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — The 25th Infantry Division is accelerating Army transformation in the Indo-Pacific by integrating long-range fires, unmanned systems and networked sensing capabilities to operate effectively across diverse environments.

Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, said the division has focused its transformation efforts on enabling forces to “see, sense and strike at distance,” particularly in complex environments such as the Philippines.

Under Division Artillery (DIVARTY), the division transitioned from traditional cannon-based formations to long-range precision fires, significantly increasing its ability to strike across extended distances. Within months, units fielded High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, to support distributed operations.

“In about 180 days, we went from a towed cannon battalion to a long-range fires battalion with 16 HIMARS weapon systems,” said Col. Daniel Von Benken, division artillery commander. “We can now do the things that we said we needed to do.”

Leaders said HIMARS provides a common launcher capable of firing a variety of munitions, allowing units to adapt to evolving operational requirements. This includes integration with emerging capabilities such as the Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, designed to extend the Army’s long-range strike capacity.

“The benefit of the HIMARS is its capability — it’s a common launcher system,” Bartholomees said. “As we build more munitions over time, it provides a range of options so we can strike at a variety of distances.”

The transformation also included reorganizing personnel and creating new formations to integrate emerging technologies. Under DIVARTY, units repurposed soldiers from traditional artillery roles into new capabilities, including formations focused on loitering munitions and one-way attack drones.

“So much like we repurposed a cannon battalion into a HIMARS battalion, we took a lot of our folks and created what’s called a Launched Effects battery,” Von Benken said. “That formation allows us to integrate loitering munitions and one-way attack drones to fill gaps between our capabilities.”

These systems complement long-range fires by providing additional options in contested environments, particularly during early contact with enemy forces.

“It’s not just about getting a rocket launcher into position,” Von Benken said. “It’s about how we fill those gaps with other types of munitions so the first time we make contact with an enemy force, it’s not a fighter jet.”

Leaders said experimentation has been critical to integrating these capabilities, allowing soldiers to test emerging technologies and provide direct feedback to developers and acquisition professionals.

“They bring it out to us and we have to teach soldiers how to use it,” said Command Sgt. Maj. John Curry, senior enlisted leader. “Those young soldiers are testing it to see does this work for the person who’s actually going to use it.”

Capabilities that prove effective are then incorporated into training and multinational exercises across the Indo-Pacific, including operations in the Philippines, where U.S. forces train alongside regional partners in realistic environments.

“We walk them out to the Philippines on our campaign, while we use it in our campaigning exercises,” Curry said. “Our multinational partners are seeing what is possible inside of their own footprint.”

Leaders said forward positioning and sustainment remain central to enabling operations across the region’s vast distances, with efforts focused on improving access, infrastructure and the ability to employ capabilities within theater.

“What we’re asking for is the ability to use, procure or build these capabilities in theater,” Curry said.

DIVARTY’s role in synchronizing fires, sensors and emerging technologies across the division has been central to the transformation effort. Leaders said integrating sensing capabilities such as radar, electronic warfare and intelligence systems with long-range fires enables a broader approach to targeting across dispersed formations.

“As we modernize, strike is important, but the sensing aspect is just as critical,” Von Benken said. “We are building the ability to see and sense at distance to enable those effects.”

Leaders said the pace of transformation has been enabled by flexible funding and rapid experimentation, allowing the division to adapt to emerging technologies and operational demands.

“Without the flexibility to do what we just described, we would not be able to move to the best technology,” Bartholomees said. “The technology is moving so fast that the old system will not work.”

Officials said the division’s efforts reflect how the Army is evolving to operate in the Indo-Pacific, where integrated fires, unmanned systems and networked capabilities are required to support distributed operations.

Bartholomees stated that continued experimentation with soldiers, industry and partners will remain essential as the Army refines capabilities for future operations in the region.

Source: United States Army

FORT BENNING, Ga. – Six of the National Guard’s most lethal Ranger-qualified Soldiers will compete for the coveted title of ‘Best Ranger’ at the 42nd annual Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, April 10-12.

The National Guard is represented by three two-man teams: U.S. Army Capt. Erik Gorman and Capt. Christian Thompson; 1st Lt. Zachary Thompson and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Flora; 1st Lt. Talan Saylor and Cpl. Brendan Fox.

There are 61 total teams from across the Army in this year’s competition.

The annual event, showcasing the ‘apex of leadership,’ serves as a tribute to the Ranger legacy and aims to determine the best two-person Ranger team across the Department of War. The competition is a grueling three-day trial that tests the limits of their physical and mental endurance.

“This is absolutely going to be a surreal experience, to say the least,” said Gorman of the Alaska National Guard. “I hope to take back motivation and inspiration to my state.”

Competitors will cover more than 100 miles while carrying equipment weighing upwards of 80 pounds, as they complete tasks designed to test the full spectrum of Ranger skills, including marksmanship events, obstacle courses, land navigation, water survival tests, and endurance movements across land.

“I feel like when I get older, I’m going to look back and be glad that I competed,” said Fox. “A lot of great Soldiers, great Rangers, have done this in the past and I hope to be like those guys. I want to be as great as the former competitors, the best of the best.”

Not every team that competes is guaranteed to finish.

Throughout the competition, teams will be evaluated on their cumulative performance across the dozens of events, with cuts made along the way, narrowing the field to only the top teams come the final day. For the teams still standing, the last day will bring a final set of challenges before the ‘Best Ranger’ team is named during an awards ceremony April 13.

As National Guard Soldiers prepare to compete alongside members from across the total Army, their participation underscores the Guard’s readiness, lethality, and ability to perform at the highest levels of military excellence.

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

WASHINGTON — On a cool March morning in Old Dominion University’s Constant Hall, Army ROTC cadets attended class like any other day.

Cadet Wesley Myers arrived to class early to set up a presentation. Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, ODU professor of Military Science, briefed the class on cadet command briefings, an exercise that prepares cadets for officer leadership roles in the Army, teaching them to plan and coordinate missions.

The students didn’t know that they would soon put their cadet training into action.

As class presentations concluded, the cadets prepared to leave class. Shah wished the cadets a good weekend and mentioned that he would be having surgery, so the cadets would not see him as often.

Then a nervous looking man entered the classroom.

“Is this the ROTC classroom?” Cadet Samuel Reineberg recalled the man saying. “Or is this a seminar?”

The class fell silent.

Cadet Cecilia Fosso and Shah quietly nodded their heads yes.

Then the man suddenly shouted “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “Allah is great,” Myers recalled. He then reached into his waistband and pulled out a Glock 44 pistol.

At 10:43 a.m., the man fired his weapon in Shah’s direction and then on the students.

“My first thought was ‘is this a drill?’” Cadet Oshea Bego said. The class had just recently discussed force protection and how to safeguard U.S. forces and assets. Then the cadets began to drop to the ground. Some huddled under their desks to shield themselves from the bullets.

Shah charged and attempted to subdue the shooter.

Cadet Louis Ancheta, seeing his professor risk his life by shielding cadets from the gunshots, rushed to Shah’s aid. Ancheta uncorked his knife as he ran towards the shooter, feeling a bullet graze his body. Then Shah turned the shooter away from Ancheta. The cadet then thrust the knife into the shooter as quickly and as many times as he could.

“If [Shah] didn’t charge at him there’s a possibility that I wouldn’t be here,” Bego said. “There’s a possibility he could have turned his gun, and I could have been next.”

Several more cadets joined the scuffle punching and stabbing the shooter. Myers noticed the perpetrator still had his shooting hand free, holding the pistol upward.

Then Myers grabbed the weapon and tried to secure the firearm against the wall.

Ancheta and the other cadets eventually brought the shooter to the ground, still struggling to remove the weapon from his hand. Finally, Myers squeezed his fingers beneath the man’s hand and pulled the weapon away. Myers released the magazine and pulled back the slide, revealing the shooter had one more round to fire. He placed the weapon on a table for law enforcement.

The cadets eventually ended the life of the shooter to prevent further attacks.

Ancheta, feeling sudden pain, asked his fellow cadets for help. Cadets learn basic combat medical care and how to treat a fallen comrade in the field. Suddenly the cadets had to use those skills to help their friend, who suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen. They bandaged his wound and put his arm on a tourniquet.

Reineberg caught Shah as he fell to the ground. Shah suffered a gunshot wound in his upper leg.

“It was just what I thought I had to do in that moment, to get there and do what I could,” Reineberg said. “It’s different when it’s not a mannequin and it’s your friend.”

Bego called the ODU chief of police while Fosso sent out an alert on the ODU ROTC battalion group chats. Cadet Jeremy Rawlinson, who also attacked the shooter, found police officers and led them towards the classroom and the victims.

Members of the S.W.A.T. team later arrived and rendered further aid to Ancheta, applying a chest seal and placed him on a stretcher. Ancheta would undergo surgery to repair his wounds.

Several of the cadets would later learn the tragic news that Shah had passed away from his injuries while watching a news livestream.

“There was definitely this sense of ‘could we have done more?’” Bego said.

Fallen Mentor

A painted rock sits near Constant Hall on ODU’s campus bearing Shah’s name. Colored handprints by cadets decorate the stone with the words “Be Bold, Be Quick, Be Gone,” Shah’s slogan for motivating his students. The cadets painted the stone as a tribute to their fallen professor.

“I take solace in knowing that he was conscious and awake for all of that,” Rawlinson said. “He got to see all the training that he and the rest of the cadre had been giving us for the [past] few years. He got to see us instantly do that in action.”

A white banner that reads “Shah Strong” contains the signatures of his ROTC students. Shah, a native of nearby Chesapeake, Va., enlisted in the Army as an aviation operations specialist in 2003 before graduating from Old Dominion University in 2007 and commissioning into the Army. As an AH64 Apache pilot he logged 1,200 flying hours including 600 in combat.

His assignments included serving as an operations and training officer for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia. In the 3-17 Air Cavalry Squadron, Shah oversaw modernization efforts for attack helicopters before returning to his alma mater to teach and mentor ROTC students.

The cadets said the memory of Shah’s actions remain with them today.

“He’s a hero,” said Ancheta, who received a Purple Heart for the wound he sustained. “He tried to save us.”

Bego recalled one instance during the summer of 2025 when his mom met Shah.

“One of the last things he told my mom when they met this summer was that he would take care of me,” Bego said. “He followed through on that word.”

Several of the cadets later attended and spoke at Shah’s funeral service on March 22.

Said that Shah grew close with many of his students, often treating cadets like family. As the leader of ODU’s ROTC Monarch Battalion, enrollment rose by 50% in his first year.

“It’s never easy to lose a friend and mentor,” he said. “And especially such a great teacher. I never thought that I would have to speak at his funeral. Everyone looked up to him. He was the standard to follow.”

Katherine Shah, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah’s wife, expressed her thoughts and emotions following the incident regarding her husband’s actions that day.

“Brandon and I shared 18 beautiful years together,” she said. “He was everything people say he was and more. A protector, a hero, the kind of man who made you feel safe just by being there. He was the father every son dreams of having, and the husband any woman would be blessed to stand beside.”

“But what made Brandon truly extraordinary was who he was in the everyday moments,” she added. “He was a teacher, a Soldier, and a leader, someone who could change your perspective, lift you up, and make you better just from a single conversation. In his final moments, he did what he had always done; he protected.”

“He placed himself as a shield for the people he loved, making sure his kids would have the chance to carry on his legacy, his name, and his mission for years to come. We love him with all of our hearts. And every day we have left, we will live in a way that makes him proud. We will make sure the world knows his name and that it stands for pride, strength, and courage. That man… my man… Lt. Col. Brandon A. Shah.”

For Shah’s actions in risking his life to save others during the incident, he was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.

For cadet actions during the shooting, Cadets Myers, Ancheta, Reineberg, Rawlinson, all were awarded Meritorious Service Medals in a ceremony from Secretary of the Army Dan P. Driscoll and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer. Acheta also received the Purple Heart, along with another fellow cadet, after suffering wounds from the event.

Four additional cadets received Meritorious Service Medals, and one cadet received the Army Commendation Medal for their actions during the shooting event. The members of the 2026 ODU Army ROTC class will graduate from the university and be commissioned into the Army on May 14 as second lieutenants leading Soldiers in their initial assignments as Army officers.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

ISIOLO, Kenya — U.S. Army scientists employed advanced biosurveillance techniques and emerging diagnostic technologies during Justified Accord 2026 to identify potential disease threats and bolster force health protection for multinational personnel training across East Africa, March 1–14.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research – Africa conducted vector surveillance and field laboratory testing at the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Nairobi, Kenya, and the Kenya School of Infantry, collecting and analyzing insects capable of transmitting infectious diseases. This effort provided exercise medical planners with real-time environmental health data while testing expeditionary laboratory capabilities in operational conditions.

U.S. Army Maj. John Eads, an entomologist with WRAIR – Africa, led teams positioned across exercise locations to collect mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies that may carry pathogens harmful to service members.

“The more techniques we produce and the more data we collect, the better we can refine our methods,” Eads said. “When we deploy these capabilities operationally, we already have a proven system that protects the warfighter.”

Teams conducted environmental assessments in training areas to identify locations where vectors were most likely to thrive, then collected and transported specimens to a mobile laboratory for pathogen analysis.

“Vectors are the mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies, which could possibly carry diseases that could infect our warfighters,” Eads said.

Researchers analyzed collected samples using molecular diagnostic equipment capable of detecting pathogens associated with endemic diseases in the region.

Findings confirmed by Eads included Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, a tick-borne virus found in insect samples at the Humanitarian Peace Support School; Dengue virus, a mosquito-borne disease; and Leishmania parasites, transmitted through sandfly bites, found in samples at the Kenya School of Infantry.

U.S. Army Maj. Luis Pow Sang, a microbiologist with WRAIR – Africa, conducted nucleic acid extraction and polymerase chain reaction testing to identify biological threats.

“We brought new technologies to JA26, including the magnetic induction cycler PCR system, [which is] a compact, high-speed platform that allows us to run real-time testing in the field,” Pow Sang said. “We also introduced nucleic acid extraction kits using magnetic beads. This is the first time we’ve used these capabilities during an exercise like JA26.”

The portable laboratory systems enabled scientists to process samples and provide results directly to exercise medical planners, allowing timely assessments of potential health risks to personnel.

U.S. Army Capt. Roger Arguello, a physician assistant with 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment, Massachusetts Army National Guard, highlighted the impact of rapid testing on readiness.

“We were informed of these findings and are diligently monitoring symptoms of these conditions across our formation,” Arguello said. “The rapid field testing has increased our medical readiness and awareness.”

The JA26 biosurveillance mission was supported by the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance program, established by the U.S. Department of War, to integrate research capabilities with operational training. Lessons learned included optimizing sample collection, improving coordination with medical planners, and refining mobile laboratory operations in austere environments.

Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and hosted in Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania, JA26 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest East African exercise. The exercise enhances multinational interoperability for humanitarian assistance, crisis response and missions with the United Nations and African Union.

By integrating biosurveillance, emerging diagnostics and operational training, scientists and Soldiers demonstrated how innovation supports force health protection and strengthens readiness for multinational missions.

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.

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Source: United States Army

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard trained alongside Thai partners during a weeklong subject matter expert exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang and Sri Racha Hospital, March 2–9, strengthening emergency response coordination at one of Southeast Asia’s busiest maritime hubs.

The exchange, part of a decades-long State Partnership Program relationship, focused on improving all-hazards response, refining incident command systems and testing patient evacuation procedures in a complex, multi-scenario environment.

“The purpose of this exchange was to continue to improve the port’s all hazard response while establishing the incident command (IC) center and patient evacuation route at the alternate site,” said Capt. Matthew Carey, the officer in charge and medical lead for the exchange. “The goal is to build a unified, all-hazards response that can operate seamlessly under pressure.”

Since 2005, the Washington National Guard has partnered with Thai officials at the port, making this one of the premier recurring engagements in their 24-year State Partnership Program relationship. Conducted twice annually, the training focuses on incident management, chemical decontamination and medical response through full-scale disaster scenarios.

This year’s exercise combined a simulated lithium battery fire with a shipboard pandemic, requiring participants to respond across multiple domains simultaneously.

For the first time, the training expanded beyond the port to include Sri Racha Hospital as a primary operational site. The shift tested alternate evacuation routes, including a pier and helipad, and required participants to adapt while maintaining coordination across agencies.

“The purpose of this exchange was achieved in full. The alternate patient evacuation site and the incident command were established at the hospital. New leadership was utilized for the incident command with guidance from the Port Authority leadership,” Carey said. “This was a change in that we saw previous students taking the lead in teaching the next generation of leadership.”

Despite the added complexity, the exercise met its primary objectives. A clear incident command structure was established, and Thai-led teams demonstrated greater ownership of planning and execution of the scenario. Communication systems and logistical support enabled responders to maintain situational awareness and coordinate actions across the simulated crisis.

“This scenario introduced new challenges, including the transfer of patients in isolation containment units from ship to ship and from ship to shore,” Carey said. “There was strong interagency coordination and high levels of engagement during hands-on training.”

The Port of Laem Chabang is one of Southeast Asia’s busiest deep-sea ports, making the partnership strategically significant for regional readiness and resilience. As a key logistics gateway, the port’s ability to respond effectively to hazards is critical to preventing disruptions to international supply chains.

The exchange followed Cobra Gold 2026, during which Carey, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kristin Retherford, Sgt. 1st Class Ricky Manglona, and Victor Aguilar supported the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise for two weeks prior.

“I was in Thailand for 24 days total,” Retherford said. “Cobra Gold HADR enhanced my understanding of Thailand disaster response by immersing us with civilian agencies who may be involved in a port disaster. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation establishes guidelines and standard operating procedures to support and enable response protocols, which includes Port Laem Chabang.”

Retherford said lessons learned during the exchange will carry forward to future engagements.

“Practicing these tactics, techniques, and procedures better prepare our team to support emergency responders at the port.”

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

ARLINGTON, Va. – The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy recognized National Guard counterdrug programs for supporting 10 award-winning law enforcement investigations during the National Drug Control Awards Ceremony on April 2.

The investigations were part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, a White House-led effort that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement to target major drug trafficking networks across the United States.

“We’re celebrating our High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area groups and recognizing the men and women on the front lines of this fight every day, ensuring our children and our communities are safe,” said Sara Carter, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Nine National Guard counterdrug programs contributed to the investigations, supporting efforts to disrupt drug trafficking networks and improve public safety.

Twenty-seven National Guard members attended the ceremony and stood alongside their law enforcement and community partners. The awards recognize outstanding law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking and related criminal activity across the country.

National Guard personnel support these investigations by working directly with law enforcement agencies, embedded in multi-jurisdictional task forces. They analyze data, identify key criminal network nodes, and help build cases that lead to arrests and the disruption of larger threat networks, said U.S. Air Force Col. Laurie Rodriguez, National Guard Bureau counterdrug division chief.

The National Guard Counterdrug Program provides criminal analysts, reconnaissance and strategic community engagement support to all 33 HIDTAs.

“Our Guard members act as force multipliers and provide support that enhances the integration of state, local, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies with the detection, interdiction and disruption of drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations,” said Rodriguez.

The program, which operates in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia, supports law enforcement agencies with analysis, training and operational coordination. Many of these investigations span multiple states and require close coordination between agencies.

Participating National Guard counterdrug programs included Alabama, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, New Mexico, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington.

“These awards underscore the power of partnerships in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and related crime,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “Together, with our partners, we’re fighting to protect our children and our communities from drug trafficking threats. Just last year, Guard counterdrug operations helped remove $15 billion in illicit narcotics from American communities. We remain committed to this vital mission.”

The National Guard Counterdrug Program conducts a full-spectrum campaign that bridges the gap between Department of War and non-Department of War institutions in the fight against illicit drugs and transnational threats to the homeland. The program supports military, law enforcement and community-based counterdrug operations at all levels of government to anticipate, deter and defeat these threats, enhancing national security and protecting society.

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