Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

WIESBADEN, Germany — U.S. Army Europe and Africa honored its outgoing commander, Gen. Christopher Donahue, during a relinquishment of command ceremony July 2 on Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Donahue relinquished command of the organization to Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, deputy commanding general of USAREUR-AF, who will serve as the acting commander until a permanent successor is nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The ceremony was jointly officiated by U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command, and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Brennan, deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command, underscoring USAREUR-AF’s mandate as an Army service component command campaigning across two continents in a 104-country area of responsibility.

During his 18-month tenure, Donahue focused heavily on integrating U.S. and NATO land forces in order to bolster credible deterrence and harness increased investment by Allied militaries. Most notably, the combined USAREUR-AF and NATO’s Allied Land Command headquarters developed, launched and began scaling of the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, a transformational warfighting concept to cohere the ability of land forces to execute NATO’s integrated defense plans.

It applies Army Transformation at scale, integrating consumable, attritable, and survivable systems to accelerate decision-making and action.

At its foundation is a digital backbone connecting forces and nations, enabling a common operating picture and live data to drive combat operations at unprecedented speed and to integrate manned and unmanned systems at scale.

“(Donahue) saw the need to change, developed a plan, inspired others and built the processes to ensure it endures well beyond his tenure—and Allies have bought in,” Grynkewich said. “In alignment with NATO 3.0, our Allies are committing forces and investing in the capabilities needed to bring the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative to life.”

Donahue’s departure marks the conclusion of a high-tempo command focused on building and certifying lethal units and accelerating data-driven warfighting and the realities of a transformed battlefield saturated with unmanned systems and electronic warfare. Reflecting on his time leading USAREUR-AF, Donahue credited the Soldiers and international partners who turned strategic initiatives into credible deterrence.

“I love this team—it has been the honor of a lifetime to be a part of it. I’m proud of what we built and I have absolute confidence in what you will build next,” said Donahue. “So, when people ask me, ‘Hey CD, what was it like to be a part of United States Army Europe and Africa?’ I only have to tell them how proud and unbelievably grateful I am to have been a part of the United States Army’s premier warfighting headquarters.”

In addition to his role at USAREUR-AF, Donahue also serves as commander of NATO’s Allied Land Forces Command in Izmir, Türkiye, a dual-hatted responsibility that has been central to executing NATO’s regional defense plans. He will relinquish command of LANDCOM on July 9.

As Norrie assumes acting command, USAREUR-AF remains postured to maintain its rigorous operational tempo, continuing its vital training missions, theater security cooperation, and deterrence activities across both the European and African areas of responsibility.

Source: United States Army

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The Army National Guard’s Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site, operated by the West Virginia Army National Guard, received the 2025 Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award during a June 29 ceremony recognizing the unit’s accident prevention program, safety culture and contributions to Army aviation readiness.

The award, sponsored by the Order of Daedalians, is presented annually to the Army aviation training unit deemed to have the most effective aircraft accident prevention program.

Retired Brig. Gen. Chad Manske, chairman of the board of trustees for the Order of Daedalians, presented the award to Brig. Gen. Murray E. “Gene” Holt, assistant adjutant general-Army for the West Virginia National Guard, and Maj. Evan Dale, commander of FWAATS. Leaders also recognized 1st Sgt. Frank Carey and the FWAATS team for their role in maintaining the training site’s safety culture.

Maj. Gen. Daniel Degelow, chief of staff for the Army National Guard, attended the ceremony and recognized the FWAATS team for setting the standard in Army aviation safety.

FWAATS earned the award after achieving zero Class A, B or C aviation mishaps in fiscal year 2025 and receiving a 97% Aviation Resource Management Survey safety rating. The training site also continued to support Army aviation readiness through fixed-wing qualification courses found in few other places across the Army.

“Safety is not just a checklist; it is a culture of looking out for one another so everyone goes home safe,” Degelow said. “The FWAATS team has gone above and beyond to eliminate hazards and champion safe practices on the flight line, setting the standard for Army aviation safety and mission readiness.”

FWAATS serves as the Army National Guard’s only fixed-wing aviation training site outside the Army’s primary aviation training center in Alabama. Since 1992, the site has trained more than 2,500 active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.

“Receiving the Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award is a tremendous honor for the Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site and the Army National Guard,” Dale said. “This award reflects the safety culture built here over many years and is a true testament to the dedicated professionals who are part of FWAATS. Their discipline, expertise and commitment to one another allow us to train aviators safely and prepare them for missions wherever they are needed.”

The training site provides instruction for C-26 and C-12 aircraft qualifications, as well as instructor pilot, instrument flight examiner and maintenance test pilot courses. FWAATS has also been recognized three times by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command as a “Learning Institution of Excellence.”

“FWAATS represents the purpose behind this award: exceptional vigilance, proactive risk management and a commitment to preparing skilled aviators for missions worldwide,” Manske said. “Their performance reflects the professionalism and discipline that continue to strengthen Army aviation.”

The award is named after Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr., a pioneer in Army aviation who helped shape the service’s modern aviation doctrine and championed flight safety throughout his career. Burdett served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and later commanded the Army Aviation Center.

The Order of Daedalians is a national organization of military aviators whose heritage dates back to World War I. The organization supports military aviation through scholarships, mentoring, Junior ROTC recognition programs and national awards that promote aviation excellence and preserve the legacy of America’s first military pilots.

The recognition highlights FWAATS’ continued role in strengthening Army aviation readiness and developing fixed-wing aviators prepared to support missions at home and abroad.

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

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The Army National Guard’s Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site, operated by the West Virginia Army National Guard, received the 2025 Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award during a June 29 ceremony recognizing the unit’s accident prevention program, safety culture and contributions to Army aviation readiness.

The award, sponsored by the Order of Daedalians, is presented annually to the Army aviation training unit deemed to have the most effective aircraft accident prevention program.

Retired Brig. Gen. Chad Manske, chairman of the board of trustees for the Order of Daedalians, presented the award to Brig. Gen. Murray E. “Gene” Holt, assistant adjutant general-Army for the West Virginia National Guard, and Maj. Evan Dale, commander of FWAATS. Leaders also recognized 1st Sgt. Frank Carey and the FWAATS team for their role in maintaining the training site’s safety culture.

Maj. Gen. Daniel Degelow, chief of staff for the Army National Guard, attended the ceremony and recognized the FWAATS team for setting the standard in Army aviation safety.

FWAATS earned the award after achieving zero Class A, B or C aviation mishaps in fiscal year 2025 and receiving a 97% Aviation Resource Management Survey safety rating. The training site also continued to support Army aviation readiness through fixed-wing qualification courses found in few other places across the Army.

“Safety is not just a checklist; it is a culture of looking out for one another so everyone goes home safe,” Degelow said. “The FWAATS team has gone above and beyond to eliminate hazards and champion safe practices on the flight line, setting the standard for Army aviation safety and mission readiness.”

FWAATS serves as the Army National Guard’s only fixed-wing aviation training site outside the Army’s primary aviation training center in Alabama. Since 1992, the site has trained more than 2,500 active-duty, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers.

“Receiving the Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award is a tremendous honor for the Fixed Wing Army Aviation Training Site and the Army National Guard,” Dale said. “This award reflects the safety culture built here over many years and is a true testament to the dedicated professionals who are part of FWAATS. Their discipline, expertise and commitment to one another allow us to train aviators safely and prepare them for missions wherever they are needed.”

The training site provides instruction for C-26 and C-12 aircraft qualifications, as well as instructor pilot, instrument flight examiner and maintenance test pilot courses. FWAATS has also been recognized three times by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command as a “Learning Institution of Excellence.”

“FWAATS represents the purpose behind this award: exceptional vigilance, proactive risk management and a commitment to preparing skilled aviators for missions worldwide,” Manske said. “Their performance reflects the professionalism and discipline that continue to strengthen Army aviation.”

The award is named after Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett Jr., a pioneer in Army aviation who helped shape the service’s modern aviation doctrine and championed flight safety throughout his career. Burdett served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and later commanded the Army Aviation Center.

The Order of Daedalians is a national organization of military aviators whose heritage dates back to World War I. The organization supports military aviation through scholarships, mentoring, Junior ROTC recognition programs and national awards that promote aviation excellence and preserve the legacy of America’s first military pilots.

The recognition highlights FWAATS’ continued role in strengthening Army aviation readiness and developing fixed-wing aviators prepared to support missions at home and abroad.

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

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany—U.S. Army Sgt. Ashton Schübel and Spc. Adrian China sit inside the air traffic control tower at Grafenwoehr Army Airfield, monitoring the steady flow of rotary-wing aircraft operating in and out of the Grafenwoehr Training Area. From the elevated vantage point above the runway, the two Soldiers track movement across controlled airspace, coordinating with multiple facilities, to ensure every aircraft maintains safe separation while supporting daily aviation operations.

Behind the glass and radios, their work is constant and deliberate. Each transmission carries purpose, and each instruction directly contributes to the safe and efficient movement of aircraft supporting training and readiness throughout the region. For Schübel, an air traffic control operator with U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the job is defined by precision and accountability. He described the mission of air traffic control in simple but uncompromising terms. “Our mission, our motto, is safe, orderly and expeditious,” said Schübel. “That is something that we implement into our everyday life when we’re controlling aircraft. What’s going to be the safest, most orderly and expeditious plan of action for each individual aircraft.”

Inside the tower, Schübel works alongside a team responsible for managing both airborne and ground movement across the airfield. The operation is divided into specialized positions that each carry distinct responsibilities but require constant coordination. Ground control oversees aircraft, vehicles and personnel movement on taxiways, parking areas and ramps. Flight data maintains communication between facilities, tracks aircraft movement and ensures information is properly relayed across the installation. The local controller manages aircraft in flight within controlled airspace, sequencing arrivals and departures while maintaining separation standards. Together, the team functions as a single integrated system, relying on discipline, communication and timing to keep operations moving safely.

A typical shift begins with equipment checks, facility inspections and turnover briefs from the outgoing controller. Because the tower is not a 24-hour facility, personnel also conduct opening and closing procedures that include broadcast announcements over radio frequencies to advise inbound and outbound aircraft when services begin or end. Schübel emphasized that even routine operations require full attention, especially when coordinating aircraft entering or exiting restricted training areas within the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area. “Ground is in charge of all movement on the apron, parking areas, vehicles, personnel and aircraft,” said Schübel. “Flight data relays information between the tower, radar room and base operations, and the local controller is in charge of all aircraft in the air.”

Within that structure, controllers routinely manage aircraft transitioning through controlled and restricted airspace, including medical evacuation flights that move through the region to support urgent real-world missions. Schübel explained that while controllers are physically separated from aircraft, their decisions directly affect the timing, the routing and the mission execution. “All aircraft have to contact us that are going through our airspace,” said Schübel. “We have to make sure that when they call up, we are promptly responding and giving them what they need. That can be a huge factor when it comes to people’s lives or what they are doing, especially in an emergency.”

Radar systems provide another layer of awareness for controllers inside the tower. While not used to directly control aircraft, radar allows the team to verify aircraft identification, monitor movement beyond visual range and issue safety alerts when potential conflicts arise. “If an aircraft that is not under control is headed in the same direction or toward an aircraft that is under control, then we need to give those safety alerts,” said Schübel. “We are directly responsible for all of that.”

Every transmission is recorded, adding a level of accountability that reinforces the importance of accuracy and professionalism in every instruction. In the event of an incident, controllers may be required to review recorded communications to determine whether proper procedures were followed. The responsibility, Schübel said, is significant, but it is one that comes with the profession. “It can be a very stressful job,” said Schübel. “We have to make sure aircraft are separated, safe, and landing and departing within regulations. Not everybody can do this job.”

That pressure is compounded by the need to maintain technical proficiency and procedural accuracy. Controllers must master standardized phraseology, airspace regulations and operational procedures established through strict guidance. Much of that knowledge is reinforced through continuous study and certification requirements, even after Soldiers begin working in the tower.

Schübel is currently progressing through qualification training, working under supervision as he builds proficiency across multiple positions within the tower environment. Even in training, he said, the expectations remain high. “You have to be able to recall the right information in certain situations and say the right thing,” said Schübel. “We have to train hard and study constantly, but that preparation is what allows us to perform when it matters.”

While Schübel brings experience and mentorship to the tower, Spc. Adrian China represents the next generation of air traffic controllers learning the profession firsthand. Assigned to flight data, China supports coordination between the tower, radar facility and base operations while building familiarity with the complexity of airfield operations. China arrived at Grafenwoehr following training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the home of Army aviation, and described the transition as both challenging and rewarding. “Working here has been pretty good,” said China. “The work hours are balanced. It can be stressful sometimes depending on traffic, but overall it’s a good environment.”

In his role, China assists with processing flight plans, coordinating with multiple facilities and ensuring information flows correctly across the airfield. The position requires attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple communication channels simultaneously. “It’s a lot of coordination that goes into air traffic control,” said China. “You’re working with different facilities, collecting flight plans, and making sure everything is where it needs to be.”

When asked what drew him to the profession, China pointed to a long-standing interest in aviation and how aircraft are safely controlled from the ground. “I love aviation,” said China. “I wanted to understand how aircraft are kept safe in the air and how they arrive safely to the ground during different phases of flight.”

For China, the learning curve has emphasized the importance of multitasking and composure under pressure, particularly when multiple tasks compete for attention during active operations. “You have to prioritize what needs to be handled first,” said China. “Especially if there is an emergency, like a medevac aircraft, that becomes the priority.”

Despite the challenges, both Soldiers share a common understanding of the mission: ensuring safe and efficient air operations that directly support training readiness at Grafenwoehr Army Airfield. For Schübel, that responsibility is rooted in preparation, discipline and leadership. For China, it is built on curiosity and developing skill in a demanding profession. Together, they represent the layered expertise required to keep Army aviation moving safely across one of Europe’s busiest training environments.

As aircraft continue to cycle through the airfield, controllers remain focused on radios, screens and runway movement. Each instruction issued from the tower contributes to a larger system of coordination that allows aviation units to train, operate and sustain readiness across the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area.

While most Soldiers and aviators may only see aircraft in motion, the work inside the tower ensures every movement begins and ends safely, guided by the steady presence of the air traffic control team above the runway.

Source: United States Army

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Firefighters from U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Fire and Emergency Services deployed June 28-29 and again July 1 to provide mutual aid assistance during a major wildland fire near the village of Traisen, close to Bad Kreuznach.

The fire broke out during a record-breaking heatwave, with regional temperatures reaching 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit). The extreme heat fueled a fast-moving forest fire that triggered the immediate, complete evacuation of the entire village of Traisen.

The 24-hour operation integrated Army assets with local German emergency agencies under dangerous conditions. The fire broke out in a steep, inaccessible area adjacent to a former munitions disposal site, triggering explosions of post-WW2 unexploded ordnance buried in the soil.

Because of the danger of further detonations, direct ground-level firefighting was deemed too high-risk for personnel. USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ Hook-37 integrated operations with the “SuperWolf-HR1,” a specialized robotic tactical firefighting vehicle, providing a continuous water supply to the unmanned equipment as it engaged the fire in high-risk zones.

Germany’s Regional Disaster Management Agency issued the mutual aid request at 8:30 p.m. on June 28, roughly 30 hours after the wildfire initially began. The Baumholder Fire Alarm Communication Center immediately coordinated the response. Robert Womble, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz deputy fire chief, ordered the dispatch of an engine company from Baumholder Military Community and a 7,000-liter mobile water supply tender from Miesau Army Depot.

Twenty personnel deployed to the scene over the course of multiple days, under the command of Womble and Assistant Fire Chief Tobias Lang. Upon arrival, the units staged at a local commercial facility until assigned to the fire line, where crews worked continuously through the night.

To sustain the operation and ensure firefighter safety, leadership established a disciplined, eight-hour work-replace-rest cycle beginning at 8 a.m. Monday. Engine-52 was released early Monday morning, while the Hook-37 water tender remained on scene to conduct direct suppression and water shuttle operations.

Throughout the deployment, the garrison’s fire stations maintained continuous emergency protection, with backfill engine companies fully staffing both the Baumholder and Miesau fire stations.

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

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

*Editor’s note:* This article was drafted with the assistance of generative AI. It was subsequently reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by USAG Rheinland-Pfalz public affairs to ensure accuracy, compliance with DoW security guidelines, and to reflect the appropriate tone.

Source: United States Army

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – The sky over Camp Zama had been relentless since dawn June 27, opening up into a torrential downpour that left the field completely flooded. For hours, it rained cats and dogs, the heavy drops drumming a relentless beat against the service members gathered on the tarmac.

They represented every branch of the military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, JGSDF, – standing shoulder-to-shoulder. They had been rehearsing since the early morning, their uniforms soaked through, yet their focus never wavered.

At the center of it all was Sgt. Allen Jones, assigned to the 765th Transportation (Terminal) Battalion. Wet uniform clinging to his shoulders, his voice cut through the sound of the rain as he paced the lines, adjusting a grip, squaring a shoulder.

“One of the main attentions to details that we do is to make sure the colors heights are proper, everybody has the same hold, and the colors are presented in the same direction,” Jones said.

Jones, who leads this diverse group of service members, added, “Some people have a lot of knowledge, and they can help out their battle buddies. Some of them are first time go at this. It does help to have veterans that know exactly what they are doing to help junior enlisted.”

“One of the most interesting things about having different branches work together is that there are subtle differences in the way that people operate,” Jones said, watching how the Army marches compared to the distinct rhythm of the Marines.

“We have to determine what’s the best way to make sure everybody is doing one uniformed movement. Having different branches of service, we can blend everybody’s different niches together.”

He stood at the front, looking at the proud, wet faces of the joint team. He said he wants to make sure everybody looks uniform regardless of their branch of service. Movement precision and execution, it all has to be spot on.

“The keyword is uniformity,” Jones said. “That’s why we practice.”

Then, as if on cue, just as the scheduled hour for the ceremony approached, the heavy clouds parted. As the torrential rain stopped completely, a vibrant crowd began to pour in—both American military families and local Japanese citizens, arriving together to celebrate a historic milestone: America’s 250th birthday.

As the music began to swell and the crowd fell into a respectful silence, Jones said he felt the full weight of the moment. This was about more than just fireworks or a traditional holiday. He noted that they were there to represent their country, and to represent the host nation of Japan as well.

“We are here to represent everybody,” Jones said. “That’s why it’s called ‘Salute to the Nation,’ not just an Independence Day celebration.”

The joint color guard moved forward as a single, flawless entity. The flags rose in perfect unison, heights precisely matched, catching the light in the clear sky.

Looking out at the sea of smiling faces—American service members mingling seamlessly with their Japanese hosts, sharing food, laughter, and mutual respect – Jones said he felt a wave of pride.

As the laughter and music of the bilateral crowd echoed under a clear night sky, the community came together.

“We invite host nation people to come on to the installation so that they can partake in being able to mingle with US Soldiers and citizens,” he said.

It was clear that the hours spent practicing in the pouring rain had achieved exactly what they set out to do. They represented all of us.

Source: United States Army

75th USARIC Contract Support Team enables OSJ 26 support and sustainment to the largest U.S. Army Reserve exercise in history

CAMP SHELBY/GULFPORT, Miss., and CAMP BEAUREGARD, La. — While more than 12,000 service members trained across multiple states, including Louisiana and Mississippi, during Operation Sentinel Justice 26, a small team from the 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command worked behind the scenes to keep the exercise running. The 75th USARIC’s contract support team manages the essential contracts that delivered everything from floodlights and water tanks to cold storage, bulk ice, tents, and laundry and shower services; all quiet contributions that made the large‑scale operation possible.

The CST oversees the full lifecycle of contracted support, ensuring vendors meet requirements, deliver on time, and maintain compliance throughout the exercise. Their work touches nearly every sustainment and support function that Soldiers rely on during OSJ 26.

“Our mission is simple: make sure the warfighters never have to think about the logistics behind the scenes. If we do our job right, the exercise runs smoothly and Soldiers can stay focused on training,” said Maj. Robert Corkrum, contracting team leader, 915th Contracting Battalion, Army Material Command-Army Reserve Element, 75th USARIC and a member of the OSJ 26 CST.

Across Camp Shelby, Miss., Camp Beauregard, La. and the Gulfport, Miss. area, the team coordinated a wide range of contracted services. Floodlights illuminated night operations. Water tanks supported hygiene and sustainment nodes. Event tents provided shelter for troop support activities. Additional contracts delivered bulk ice, expanded tent capacity, and ensured laundry and shower operations remained available throughout the exercise.

Each contract requires continuous monitoring. The team conducts site visits, verifies delivery and setup, and works directly with vendors to resolve issues before they affect training. Their oversight ensures that contracted services met Army standards and that Soldiers had the resources they needed to focus on mission tasks.

“Supporting an operation with such a large geographic footprint means we’re constantly adapting to changing requirements. A single delay or missed requirement can have ripple effects across the mission, so staying proactive and communicating effectively is essential, said Staff Sgt. Erik Eaton, contracting non-commissioned officer, and 915th Contracting BN, AMC-ARE, 75th USARIC and a member of the OSJ 26 CST.

In addition to managing existing contracts, the team also identifies shortfalls and coordinates solutions in real time. When units require additional tents, ice, or water capacity, the contract support team works with contracting offices and vendors to adjust requirements and deliver support quickly. Their responsiveness maintains continuity across dispersed training sites.

The team’s efforts also contributed to the Army’s broader modernization goals. By documenting contractor performance, identifying gaps, and capturing lessons learned, they provide valuable insights that will shape future contracting strategies for large-scale exercises.

“Our best work is basically invisible. If a Soldier can go through this massive exercise without having to worry about where their next shower is coming from or if the lights will turn on, we’ve succeeded. Our goal is to ensure that contract support is seamless so that the Soldiers can focus entirely on their core competencies and accomplishing their mission.,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Wensjoe, contracting master gunner, 915th Contracting BN, AMC-ARE, 75th USARIC and a member of the OSJ 26 CST.

For the 75th USARIC, the CST’s work reflects the command’s mission to bring specialized expertise to Army Reserve operations. While the 75th USARIC is widely recognized for its role in technology assessment and innovation, its contracting professionals play an equally important role in enabling complex training events like OSJ 26.

As the exercise concluded, the CST contributions remained largely unseen by the Soldiers who benefited from them, but their impact was unmistakable.

From lighting the training lanes to keeping water flowing and essential services running, the team ensured that OSJ 26 had the infrastructure needed to succeed.

Source: United States Army

SALT LAKE CITY — Millions of years ago, pterosaurs roamed the skies. But nowadays it’s Army Aviation that’s “above the best.”

In June, UH-60 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota helicopters assigned to the 2-211th Aviation Regiment, Utah Army National Guard, along with a CH-47 Chinook from the 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, Nevada National Guard, took flight over Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Their mission was a unique one: helping airlift multiple rock-encased dinosaur fossils for the Natural History Museum of Utah and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

“We excavated an entire skeleton of a baby duck-billed dinosaur, an animal that probably from tip of the head to tip of the tail, was only 2 or 3 feet. long,” said Randall Irmis, curator of paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Utah. “All the bones were still in life position, so they were still connected. If you imagine all the vertebrae in the tail and the backbone, all the leg bones were still connected in life position, and that’s really, really rare.”

While the animal was relatively small, the fossilized remains weighed more than 1,100 pounds encased in rock.

In addition to Utah Guardsmen assisting with the duck-billed dinosaur skeleton, Nevada National Guard aviators assigned to the 1-189th Aviation Regiment supported scientists from North Carolina by using a Chinook helicopter to lift a 4,000-pound fossilized ornithomimid, a theropod dinosaur that resembled a modern-day ostrich. Each fossil will be transported to its respective museum for study and preparation before eventual public display.

The Utah museum team has worked at the dig site since 2024. After two seasons of excavation, the duck-billed dinosaur skeleton was unearthed and wrapped in a cast made of burlap and plaster to protect the fossils during aerial transport provided by the Utah National Guard’s 2-211th Aviation Regiment and the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

“We are really excited to work with the National Guard,” said Irmis. “Not only to have all their awesome team manpower with the riggers to get everything set, but also to take advantage of these heavy lift helicopters. We’re lucky when we get to use helicopters at all, but especially to have ones that can lift such a large load is really special.”

Missions like the airlift are part of the Innovative Readiness Training program, which provides real-world training opportunities for service members while supporting community needs. The mission showed the National Guard is ready not only to respond during emergencies, but also to support public agencies when they need assistance.

“I think a big part of the National Guard is just to help out the community,” said Spc. A.J. Goncalves, a parachute rigger assigned to the 19th SFG. “Whether that’s disaster relief, helping the scientific community, education, anything like that, we are more than happy to help.”

Citizen-Soldiers assisting their communities is central to the National Guard mission. For Chief Warrant Officer 3 Scott Hermansen, a Nevada pilot with a geology degree from Chico State University, the mission brought together two careers.

“This was a full circle moment given our background in geology,” he said. “Being able to offer our expertise to benefit the scientific community was phenomenal.”

Utah National Guard aviation assets support a variety of missions for the state, including water bucket drops, wildfire suppression and search and rescue. Pilots and riggers train to respond to any call, but airlifting an immense fossilized specimen was a unique mission for those involved.

“Seeing a military helicopter carry a 76-million-year-old piece of history like that is really something special,” said Spc. Kartchner Perkins, a crew chief with the 2-211th. “It’s something that’ll stick with me for the rest of my life.”

The opportunity provided Soldiers with lasting memories and valuable training they can apply to future missions.

“It was a really cool experience being able to work in this terrain and this environment,” said Goncalves. “It really prepares us for adaptability and flexibility when it comes to missions like this. I was super excited to be a part of it.”

The National Guard airlift is just the beginning of the fossils’ journey. Paleontologists at the museum will open the casts, meticulously remove rock from the fossils and add adhesive to cracks or breaks. The fossils will then be studied and preserved at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City, where the public can participate in the prehistoric discovery.

“It’s really important to preserve them for everybody because these fossils are from public lands,” said Irmis. “These are owned by all American citizens and we care for them in the public trust back at the museum and share them through exhibits and all sorts of other content that we produce.”

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

Closure

Fifty-seven years after he was wounded in Vietnam, one Army Reserve NCO made sure Spc. 4 Raymond Williams finally had his moment.

WASHINGTON D.C. — For 19-year-old Spc. 4 Raymond Williams, 1969 was shaping up to be a year to forget, before it even began. On Dec. 31, 1968, New Year’s Eve, the young infantryman was being loaded onto a helicopter and medevac’d out of the jungle with wounds that would take more than half a century to heal.

A year earlier, almost to the day, Williams had walked into a recruiting station and raised his right hand. He completed basic training, earned his paratrooper wings and soon became his unit’s M60 gunner – the tip of the spear. It was the weapon he carried into the Central Highlands of Vietnam, where he found himself in what he called “a small firefight.”

“I just remember getting shot in the arm first, then the shoulder. I was trying to carry on, but my right arm was just hanging,” said Williams. “I did the best I could.”

Military records confirm what happened at approximately 10 a.m., north of An Khe: an enemy AK-47 round tore through his right arm, fracturing the bone in two places and lacerating the nerve leading to his forearm and thumb.

On Aug. 25, 1969, permanently disabled from his combat wounds, Williams was medically retired.

“I remember getting on the chopper and I didn’t want to leave,” he said. “I did not want to leave.”

Back home Williams built a life. He worked as a pressman at the Easter Seals printing press, married and raised three children. Life was good – but the war never fully lost its grip.

“The VA was never prepared for us,” he said. “We stood outside in a line in the ice cold to get into the hospital because they just weren’t ready. But it was just what it was.”

Williams rarely spoke of the war. Like many veterans of that era, he battled with depression and did his best to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, long before it had a name.

“It was a tough, unpopular war – coming home was tough,” he said. “Nobody wanted to talk. You kind of bury it.”

Years passed. His family learned not to bring it up. Then, in 2025, Williams decided it was time.

At 77, Williams, while in the hospital, told his daughter Kelly he wanted to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall – and finally receive the Purple Heart he had earned, but never been awarded.

Kelly filed the paperwork with the National Personnel Records Center. Weeks later, she received confirmation. When the medal arrived in May 2026, she contacted the Army to ask whether her father could receive it during their trip to Washington, D.C. She hoped it could be a surprise.

It was a long shot. The family was deep into their travel plans from New Hampshire – and time was short.

Master Sgt. Virginia Crutchfield was at Army Headquarters when the request came through – and immediately knew she had to make it happen.

Crutchfield, an Army Reserve Soldier on a one-year tour coordinating Medal of Honor ceremonies, had just nine days to pull it together. Purple Heart presentations were not in her lane, but the team shifted workloads so she could take on the mission. Every detail she handled – from securing pentagon space, to arranging homemade brownies and cake – was driven by an understanding of what soldiers of Williams generation faced when they came home; the silence, the stigma, the lack of welcome – and it drove her to make the moment right.

“When I go out, people see me in uniform and say, thank you for your service, with a smile, sometimes with a hug. In their time, they didn’t,” Crutchfield said, her voice breaking. “It touched me. They go out and fight for us to remain free. It’s the least we could do.”

On the morning of the ceremony, Williams arrived expecting a tour. He and his family – daughter Kelly, sons Eric and Mark, and grandson Fynn – were escorted through the Pentagon to a corridor junction where a crowd had gathered: unfamiliar faces, soldiers in uniform, and Crutchfield.

That’s when he realized what was happening. Overwhelmed, he took Crutchfield’s hand.

“All he could say was, ‘you, you … you got me,’” she said. “Sir, you did this. We are honored to do this for you.”

Army Reserve Ambassador Phillip Churn Sr., a retired Major General, presented the award.

“The Purple Heart is not an award soldiers seek,” he said. “It is … earned through blood, sacrifice, and an unyielding commitment to the defense of this nation. Today, we correct the record. Today, we pin this medal where it has always belonged – on the chest of a paratrooper who gave his blood for our freedom.”

Fynn Williams, 8, had practiced his speech for weeks while keeping the secret from his grandfather.

“There are some things in life that should never be lost,” Fynn said. “Especially honor, sacrifice, and courage. Years ago, you earned this through your service and sacrifice for our country. Even though the medal was gone, what it represents never was. We wanted to make sure it found its way back home, to where it belongs.”

“We are proud of you. We are grateful for you. We love you, Papa.”

For Kelly, the ceremony was about more than just a medal.

“It is about ensuring that his story, his service, and his legacy are remembered.” she said. “We have hope that today provides our father with a measure of peace.”

Williams had one word. “Closure.”

“It never goes away,” he said of the memories that still haunt him. But it’s a step in the right direction. “This is probably good closure now. I feel like it’s all out in the open.”

“I feel good now, I feel good today. This is good.”

Source: United States Army

CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Soldiers were at the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers “Warrior Zone” for a “Gather and Grub” event June 25 to recharge and to bring the community together. Home-cooked pulled pork, coleslaw and cookies were provided to those in attendance.

“Gather and Grub” happens on the last Thursday of each month. Don’t miss the next round!