Category: US Army

Source: United States Army

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana Army National Guardsmen with the 113th Engineer Battalion are the latest service members within the Department of War to reap the benefits of the Innovative Readiness Training program.

Soldiers in the Gary-based unit are partnering with the City of Terre Haute to demolish a roughly 60,000-square-foot building on the city’s near north side — a real-world training opportunity for Soldiers who specialize in horizontal construction and operating heavy equipment such as excavators.

Through the Innovative Readiness Training program, or IRT, government entities and nonprofits across the country can coordinate directly with military units to complete real-world projects, such as providing medical services or constructing affordable housing. Since its inception in 1993, the program has supported hundreds of projects across the United States.

The Terre Haute mission gives Hoosier Soldiers two opportunities to conduct specialized training in an urban, civilian environment. In addition to the 113th Engineer Battalion’s work to demolish the former Boys & Girls Club to make way for more housing, the state’s 19th Chemical Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP, Battalion will use the structure for training in June. With expertise in advanced rescue and recovery missions, they will work alongside regional partners to recover hundreds of Flat Stanleys — paper stand-ins for victims — during a simulated building collapse.

Training in an active urban environment also gives Soldiers exposure to variables and conditions that are difficult to simulate in standard training exercises, helping sharpen their readiness for real-world missions at home and abroad. Though the opportunities provided through the IRT program are vast, demolition is a unique opportunity not just for the Indiana National Guard but for the entire U.S. military.

“It is the epitome of war fighter readiness,” said Indiana National Guard Capt. Brandyn Sims, project officer with the 19th CERFP. “Our guys are going to arrive at a building that they have never heard of and never seen before… And be told that there are victims trapped inside and they have to get them out during a 24 hour, non-stop operation.”

Sims helped organize the training opportunity through IRT, which requires a robust review process among federal, state and local governments to ensure that Soldiers involved gain strong experience and training value from the project and that all participating communities and organizations meet strict program eligibility and oversight requirements.

“This provides a great opportunity for my engineers to get training on the equipment in a way that we don’t typically get to use it,” said Indiana Army National Guard Lt. Col. Derek Sutton, commander of the 113th Engineer Battalion. “Demolition is not one of our normal missions, but it is one of our objectives so this helps us stay ready.”

For the 113th Engineer Battalion, demolition involved more than daily operations. Soldiers of all ranks gained experience in site preparation, traffic and pedestrian control, infrastructure evaluations and more. While many of the National Guardsmen bring years of experience from their civilian and military careers, some Soldiers are working with new concepts and equipment.

“I have particularly enjoyed getting to train my teammates out here,” said Sgt. Alexander Sovel, a Soldier in the 113th Engineer Battalion and one of the primary excavator operators on-site. “I love standing next to them and helping them learn and experience the same experience that I have. It has just been a great experience overall to help make this project move faster too.”

Indiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Hector Tinoco contributed to this story.

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

Innovative Readiness Training | defense.gov

Source: United States Army

TAN-TAN, Morocco — U.S. Air Force pararescuemen with the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, Moroccan military mountaineers, and Moroccan Civil Protection recovered the second of two U.S. Soldiers who went missing May 2, near the Cap Draa Training Area, during African Lion 26.

Search and rescue operations have concluded. With both Soldiers accounted for, the focus shifts to recovery and repatriation.

The combined recovery team located and retrieved the Soldier May 12 from a coastal cave roughly 500 meters from where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean. Challenging ocean conditions, coastal terrain and the cave’s accessibility complicated search and recovery operations throughout the effort.

The Soldier was identified as Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Taveres, Florida. Collington served as an air and missile defense crew member and was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

“The loss of Spc. Collington is a profound loss for the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. “Her recovery closes the search for our two missing Soldiers, but our commitment to caring for their Families, friends, and teammates continues. We are grateful to the U.S. and Moroccan forces for their professionalism and support throughout the search efforts.”

More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel participated in the search, covering more than 21,300 square kilometers across sea and littoral zones. U.S. and Moroccan forces applied integrated air, land, sea and subsurface capabilities throughout the operation, including unmanned aerial systems, rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft, surface vessels, dive teams, mountaineering teams and ground search elements. Search planners repositioned assets daily based on real-time drift analysis, weather predictions and each platform’s operational capabilities to focus efforts on the highest-probability areas.

“I can’t say enough about the extraordinary efforts of the Moroccan government, our sister services, and Allies,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “They were with us during a difficult time– tireless, determined, and compassionate – to aid in the search for our two missing Soldiers. Their commitment never wavered, and their willingness to do whatever it took to bring our Soldiers home to their families speaks volumes about the strength of our partnership and the character of those who serve.”

Collington entered the Regular Army’s Delayed Entry Program in 2023 before beginning active-duty service in 2024. She completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a 14P air and missile defense crewmember. She reported to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in Ansbach, Germany, in February 2025 and was promoted to specialist May 1, 2026.

During her time with Charlie Battery, Collington was known for her character and impact across her battery.

“Spc. Collington was an outstanding Soldier whose unwavering enthusiasm and positive spirit uplifted every environment she entered,” said Capt. Spencer Grider, commander of Charlie Battery, 5-4 ADAR.“Her infectious energy, whether in the office, in the field or among her peers, fostered connection and camaraderie, bringing people together through her genuine warmth and heartfelt sense of humor. Her presence will be greatly missed a cross our formation.”

Collington’s leaders emphasized the unit’s continued support to her Family, friends, and fellow Soldiers.

“Spc. Collington was a bright light in this battalion. To the Soldiers who knew her best and served alongside her each day, she was a treasured friend whose loss leaves a deep and profound void on our team,” said Lt. Col. Chris Couch, the 5-4 ADAR battalion commander. “As we hold her Family, friends, and teammates in our prayers, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the U.S. personnel and Moroccan partners who dedicated themselves to bringing her home.”

Collington’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon.

The Soldier’s next of kin have been notified. No further family details will be released at this time.

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported the Soldier’s remains by a Moroccan helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco. On the evening of May 12, Moroccan and U.S. forces conducted a dignified carry at the military airport in Guelmim honoring both Soldiers. The remains of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. and Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington departed Morocco aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130J and are enroute to the United States.

The incident remains under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

For media inquiries, contact media@army.mil.

Source: United States Army

Bemowo Piskie, Poland — On May 7, 2026, at Bemowo Piskie Training Area in Poland, three Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) tested a Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with a vendor during the Saber Strike combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) to explore a potential partnership.

A Group 3 UAS weighs greater than 55 pounds and can fly longer distances than smaller sized systems.

“This Saber Strike CALFEX is showing that right now our platoons have a Group 3 asset, where they’re able to communicate with the intel cell and the fire cell,” said 1st Lt. Ethan Moore, UAS platoon leader, 409th Military Intelligence Company, 2CR. “Our drone can cue on the fire’s assets and call for fire on enemy positions at a greater distance than we’ve had before.”

At the CALFEX, Moore was joined by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dalton Kastner, the standardization officer, and Spc. Mason Tomplait, the drone operator. The trio met with the Group 3 UAS vendor to evaluate its technology.

There are many advantages to utilizing a Group 3 UAS, which is considered medium-sized among drone capabilities

“Our short-range reconnaissance drones only go from five to seven kilometers; a medium-range reconnaissance might go 30 or more,” said Moore.

The RQ 7B Shadow is what Kastner knows to be the U.S. Army’s medium-sized drone for roughly 20 years.

Comparing this updated medium-sized drone to the Shadow, Kastner said, “This system has extremely similar capabilities, with a much smaller footprint and a much smaller weight, and for me, that’s a positive. This system also has the vertical takeoff and landing, or VTOL kit, so it’s able to just take off straight up and then transition into forward movement.”

After the drone flew out, mission sets were sent to Moore, who coordinated with Tomplait in control of the gimbal camera on the system.

In real time, they could fly to specific areas of the training area and confirm friendly forces, possible enemy camps and target accuracy – all part of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Today, ISR relies more on machine-driven intelligence rather than the previously human-centered model.

“They’re able to get that long range, very good camera view to see the targets on the ground, to provide accurate targeting grids for us to push fires and to get faster reports,” explained Kastner, “to make those jumps even quicker with accurate and rapid intelligence.”

The combat-support training exercise lasted around 41 hours.

“They’ll be able to use infrared capabilities, and we’ll be able to do everything at night as well,” said Kastner.

With eight years of experience with drones, Kastner feels that the drone was easy to put together and use.

“They even have the controller for manipulating the camera and some of the programmable features in the camera as well, so it’s very user friendly,” said Kastner.

Moore, who’s also an intelligence officer, said the Army needs equipment like this in order for intel cells to find the enemy.

Moore added, “Not only is this craft able to fill a regimental gap in intelligence collection, but it’s also something that’s valid and capable in today’s conflict that we need to enable us for the intelligence collection and fires.”

Moore said when choosing a vendor, they must be able to modify and adapt as new technologies and capabilities emerge.

After departing Poland to evaluate other vendors’ drone systems, Moore and his team went to Project Flytrap in Lithuania — part of a series of exercises (including Sword 26, Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response) that turn experimentation into capability.

Project Flytrap is a counter-unmanned aerial system exercise designed to integrate emerging technologies and inform future Army requirements and doctrine.

The Army stays innovative by partnering with vendors and the UAS industry, alongside the real-world feedback from Soldiers.

Source: United States Army

BOLESLAWIEC, Poland — A routine maintenance mission near Bolesławiec quickly turned into an emergency response for Sgt. Nicolette Frankowski when she witnessed a traffic collision unfold directly in front of her vehicle, March 4.

Frankowski, who works operations for U.S. Army Garrison Poland’s Bolesławiec Garrison Support Element, was traveling with interpreter Kamil Stuczynski, when a passing car collided with another vehicle attempting to turn left along a busy two-lane roadway.

“We saw it happen in slow motion,” Frankowski said. “As soon as the collision happened, our focus immediately shifted to making sure everyone was safe.”

The crash sent one vehicle into a roadside ditch with airbags deployed and debris scattered across the street. Frankowski’s military police training kicked in and she immediately stopped to assist.

The pair moved the occupants away from traffic, assessed them for injuries, called police, and placed emergency warning triangles along the roadway to alert approaching vehicles around the curve.

“Everyone was in shock,” Frankowski said. “My biggest concern was calming everyone down and securing the scene.”

One of the drivers emerged from the damaged vehicle limping, prompting Frankowski to carefully assess him for injuries while reassuring him in Polish.

“I thought he was seriously hurt at first,” she said. “I kept asking if he was okay and encouraged him to sit down and stay calm.” The limp, thankfully, was later determined to be unrelated to the accident and connected to a previous surgery.

Stuczynski said Frankowski’s calm demeanor helped stabilize the situation until local police arrived.

“She stayed composed the entire time,” he said. “That helped everybody else stay calm too.”

For Frankowski, the interaction carried personal meaning beyond the immediate emergency.

Raised in Tampa, Florida, by parents who immigrated from Poland, Frankowski grew up in a Polish-speaking household where traditions, holidays and language remained central to family life. Speaking Polish at the scene helped her quickly connect with those involved in the accident.

“When people heard me speaking Polish, it immediately made things easier,” she said. “It helped build trust.”

Frankowski joined the Army Reserve nearly five years ago as a military police Soldier and first came to Poland in 2024 during a previous rotation with the 200th MP Command. After returning home, the 22-year-old raised her right hand and volunteered for another assignment, this time supporting USAG Poland.

“I loved being around the culture and the people,” she said. “After growing up in Florida, coming to Poland felt like a way to reconnect with part of who I am.”

Back home, she said, her Polish heritage was something primarily experienced within her family. Serving in Poland has allowed her to experience that connection more fully.

“At home it was always Polish traditions inside the house, but outside it was American life,” Frankowski said. “Being here has helped me learn more about my culture and feel connected to it in a different way.”

Frankowski received the Army Achievement Medal recognizing her actions following the crash. Despite the recognition, she said helping others felt instinctive.

“I would have stopped no matter where I was — Poland or America,” Frankowski said. “I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay.”

Source: United States Army

[Editor’s Note: The following story is a part of USAG Benelux’s “Honoring our Legacy” series in which we tell stories of America’s 250-year history, our Soldiers and our enduring legacy. To get involved in the USAG Benelux America 250 campaign, contact usarmy.benelux.id-europe.list.pao@army.mil.]

Chièvres Air Base, Belgium – More than 80 years after U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Billie Ramsey parachuted into occupied Belgium after his B-17F bomber, Skunkface, was shot down during World War II, his great-granddaughter, Bella Ramsey, returned to the same region to honor his legacy.

During her visit to Chièvres Air Base (CAB), Bella Ramsey toured the airfield and the headquarters of the 424th Air Base Squadron (424 ABS), where leaders unveiled a hand-drawn portrait of her great-grandfather created by Master Sgt. Anthony Colón Matos, 424 ABS support operations flight chief. The portrait now hangs inside the newly rededicated Ramsey Conference Room.

Ramsey also visited the squadron’s “Devil’s Den,” named in recognition of the squadron’s “Red Devils” heritage tied to the Belgian Air Force aerobatic team that was previously stationed at CAB. During the visit, she signed the wall on behalf of her family, received squadron patches and learned more about the installation’s history and connection to her great-grandfather’s story.

On Feb. 20, 1944, Ramsey’s aircraft was shot down over Belgium after sustaining heavy damage during combat operations. After bailing out over Lens, Belgium, which was then part of the base, he was captured by German forces and later spent more than a year as a prisoner of war before eventually escaping as Allied forces advanced across Europe.

For members of the 424th Air Base Squadron, Ramsey’s story represents more than a historical event, it’s an opportunity to honor a legacy.

“The Bill Ramsey Conference Room is more than a name on a wall,” Colón Matos said. “It is part of the collective memory of this unit, a reminder of resilience, courage, sacrifice and perseverance.”

Colón Matos explained that squadron members began researching the history of CAB and the 424 ABS in 2024 to strengthen awareness of the unit’s heritage and connection to the local community.

During that research, members rediscovered Ramsey’s story and realized there was little documented information explaining why the conference room had originally been named in his honor.

“We wanted to rebuild pride in our history,” Colón Matos said. “It is our way of reclaiming our Air Force heritage and connecting our current team with Sgt. Ramsey’s incredible story of resilience and survival.”

He also reflected on the significance of the Allied presence in Belgium during World War II and the enduring partnership between the United States and Belgium.

“For the people of Belgium, the sight of American parachutes descending from the sky represented something greater than war,” Colón Matos said. “It represented hope and the anticipation of liberation.”

For Bella Ramsey, the visit offered a personal perspective on a man many remember as part of history, but whom she simply knew as family.

“I didn’t know him as this man in history,” she said. “I knew him in a different way.”

Today, Billie Ramsey’s story continues to connect generations through a shared legacy of sacrifice, partnership and remembrance that still resonates at Chièvres Air Base more than eight decades later.

Source: United States Army

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Multinational forces assigned to Kosovo Force (KFOR) Regional Command-East, in coordination with Regional Command-West, conducted K-9 medical evacuation training across Kosovo, March 17, 2026, to establish procedures for transporting military working dogs to surgical care.

The training brought together U.S. Army Reserve veterinary personnel, Italian Army K-9 handlers at Camp Novo Selo in RC-E and a veterinarian from RC-W, along with U.S. aviation elements from the Tennessee Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment, to address gaps in how military working dogs are treated and evacuated.

“Working dogs and veterinarians for KFOR are spread out throughout the country with some dogs not being housed on the same base as the veterinarian,” said U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Christine Bui, a veterinarian assigned to the 7360th Veterinary Detachment under Task Force Medical.

Bui explained that the distance between veterinarians and working dogs can delay care, with response times ranging from one to two hours. She said the training was designed to improve coordination between veterinary teams, handlers, and aviation units during a K-9 medical evacuation.

Camp Bondsteel is the only location in Kosovo with surgical veterinary capability, making coordination across locations critical when working dogs require advanced care.

Italian Army veterinarian Maj. Filippo Pinagli and K-9 handlers OR-4 Simone Trimarchi and OR-4 Giuseppe Dipietro trained alongside their working dogs, Neo and Erek.

“K9 Medevac training is essential for maintaining high standards of readiness and addressing potential operational scenarios that require the emergency evacuation of a canine patient following a veterinary incident,” said Pinagli. “Due to the vastness of the territory, terrain characteristics, and mobility requirements, the current operational scenario in Kosovo demands rapid intervention and decisive action to mitigate health risks.”

Pinagli explained that working dog teams support KFOR operations by conducting perimeter security, monitoring sensitive and culturally significant sites, and assisting with mobility support to ensure freedom of movement across Kosovo.

“It’s important for us to not only train the K-9 handlers and medics on how to provide point of injury and basic care to the dogs, but also prepare ourselves in case we ever need to MEDEVAC a K-9 for a more serious injury,” Bui said.

During the training, participants conducted a route familiarization exercise that brought together a veterinarian from Camp Villaggio Italia, RC-W, with K-9 handlers at Camp Novo Selo, RC-E, simulating the movement required to transport an injured working dog to Camp Bondsteel.

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Clara Maia, an animal care specialist with the 442nd Veterinary Detachment, Maryland, and Maj. Christine Bui, a veterinarian with the 7354th Veterinary Detachment, Colorado, are both assigned to the 7360th Veterinary Detachment under Task Force Medical for the deployment.

The training builds upon an existing agreement between U.S. and Italian forces that enables veterinary support across national lines and supports the development of a formal standard operating procedure currently under review.

Participants emphasized the need for flexible, adaptable procedures, as variations in aircraft configuration, dog temperament and mission requirements can impact how a K-9 evacuation is conducted. While working dogs are accustomed to aircraft environments, the training reinforced loading procedures and coordination between handlers and aircrew.

With a limited number of military working dogs in Kosovo and no veterinary facilities at some locations, the ability to rapidly coordinate and transport animals remains critical to sustaining operational capability.

This effort enhances interoperability among KFOR partners and supports the mission to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people living in Kosovo.

Source: United States Army

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz honored the outstanding service of its volunteer workforce during the Volunteer of the Year recognition ceremony at Sembach Kaserne, May 8.

More than 100 guests attended the event to honor the 57 nominees. Col. Jeffery Higgins, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz commander, opened the ceremony.

“We are here to recognize the men and women who dedicate their most precious commodity, their time, to the betterment of our military community,” said Higgins. “You are the force multipliers that make our sprawling operations not just functional, but successful,” he added.

In 2025, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz volunteers contributed more than 40,000 hours valued at $1.4 million supporting programs including Army Community Service, Child and Youth Services, Cub Scouts, American Forces Network, KMC Onstage, Religious Services, Armstrong’s Club, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, Department of War Education Activity, Global Military Lactation Community and the United Service Organizations.

The winners in each category were:

Military Volunteer of the Year: Francisco La Porte

Single Soldier: Ija’Nai Moore

Family member: Bailee McCollum

Civilian: Toby Holland

Youth: Keandre Anderson

Nelly Olson, Army Community Service Employment Readiness Program Manager with USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, who also serves as the Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator for the garrison, said this annual event promotes a culture of giving back, while boosting volunteer and community morale.

“Recognizing our volunteers is our way to say thank you and honor the selfless impact they make within our community,” she said.

Interested volunteers can explore garrison volunteer opportunities by making an account in the Volunteer Management Information System at https://vmis.armyfamilywebportal.com/.

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

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

Source: United States Army

Chièvres Air Base, Belgium –When U.S. Air Force firefighters from the 424th Air Base Squadron (ABS) on Chièvres Air Base (CAB) and local Belgian firefighter recruits merge their contrasting tactics in the heat of a live burn, the result is an unbreakable partnership that guarantees mutual readiness.

The 424th invited local firefighter recruits to participate in a joint fire training exercise on May 6, 2026, at CAB, Belgium. Rather than sitting in a classroom, the students were thrown into action, tackling a rigorous training day that included a tour of the fire station, a simulated burning building scenario, and critical search and rescue operations.

Staff Sgt. Zachary Gager, 424th ABS Fire Department crew chief, led the training but noted he walked away learning new tactics himself. He observed the stark differences in methodology, particularly how European crews focus heavily on calculated water conservation, contrasting with the traditionally aggressive approach of American firefighters.

“The great part about being on a NATO base is learning different tactics,” said Gager. “This is my second time leading it, and I really love it. It’s just a really humbling experience to teach youth about firefighting.”

Cédric Reygaerts, USAG Benelux lead garrison fire protection specialist, recognized the vital benefits for both sides. The 424th firefighters had the opportunity to learn more about their Belgian counterparts and improve interoperability, while the young trainees experienced the intensity of U.S. military firefighting firsthand.

“If something happens here on Chièvres Air Base, we need the Belgian firefighters. One purpose is to check the communication during a fire because we know the language barrier is an issue,” Reygaerts explained. “The training also allows the firefighter students to see what it is to be a firefighter on CAB and provides them a better understanding of cooperation. One day, they might even apply to work on Chièvres Air Base.”

For Eden Lassoie, an 18-year-old Belgian firefighter student, classroom theories became reality the moment she stepped into the heat.

“My favorite part of today was when I saw the fire; I learned how to enter the burning building and learned how to extinguish it,” said Lassoie. “I loved learning the differences and getting to work with different people.”

Ultimately, the flames inside the burning building provided more than just a training environment—they served as a forge for a stronger, more unified cross-border Alliance, ensuring both nations are ready to answer the call together.

Source: United States Army

CHICAGO – U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Moises Garcia, assigned to the 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, was recognized as the military honoree during a Chicago Cubs home game at Wrigley Field, against the Cincinnati Reds, May 5, 2026.

More than 34,000 fans rose to their feet and applauded as Garcia was recognized on the field for his 31 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve.

“I’m truly humbled and grateful to be recognized for my service here today,” Garcia said. “This moment is bigger than me. It honors the sacrifices of everyone who served before me and beside me.”

A Chicago native and lifelong Cubs fan, Garcia said his father, Gregorio, introduced him to baseball by taking him to games and teaching him how to play. Garcia later played little league for the Blue Jays at Hanson Park on Chicago’s west side while his father cheered from the stands.

“Throughout this game, my heart has been with my dad, who I know is watching from above,” Garcia said.

After graduating from Charles A. Prosser Career Academy in 1995 Garcia enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, beginning a military career that has now spanned more than three decades.

Garcia has served on five deployments in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Djibouti.

His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star.

Garcia currently serves as a human resources sergeant with the 85th USARSC in Arlington Heights, Illinois; in his civilian career, he serves as a staff administrative specialist with the 16th Psychological Operations Battalion at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.

Source: United States Army

PUYALLUP, Wash. — In preparation for Washington’s upcoming wildfire season, aviation crews assigned to the 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion, Washington Army National Guard, partnered with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue to conduct water bucket training May 7.

Throughout the exercise, firefighters and aviation crews rehearsed aerial wildfire response operations, practicing bucket drops, air-to-ground communication procedures and coordination between firefighters and aircrews ahead of Washington’s annual fire season.

Using UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, aircrews conducted multiple water-bucket drops while ground-based firefighters coordinated target locations and evaluated the effectiveness of each drop. The training focused on communication, timing and precision in environments that can quickly become hazardous during wildfire response operations.

“Air assets have become a critical asset in fighting these fires,” said a representative from Central Pierce Fire and Rescue. “These are very fast-moving fires, especially when the weather’s playing into it with the wind, and it’s extremely difficult for us on the ground and extremely hazardous sometimes for us to get even close enough to attempt to extinguish these fires.”

Fire officials said helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft often provide firefighters additional access and suppression capabilities in areas that may be difficult or unsafe for crews operating on the ground.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jarin Trakel, company standardization instructor pilot, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion, Washington National Guard, emphasized the recurring partnership helps firefighters and aviation crews build familiarity and communication before responding to real-world emergencies.

“We kind of try to bridge that gap by putting a face to the radio before anything actually happens,” Trakel said. “That way they know what to expect when they call the Washington Guard.”

Trakel said the joint training also allows both organizations to better understand each other’s capabilities, communication procedures and operational limitations before responding to wildfire incidents together.

For Washington Army National Guard aviation crews, water bucket operations require annual certification and ongoing proficiency training to ensure pilots and crew members remain prepared to respond when activated to support wildfire suppression missions across the state.

Trakel described water bucket operations as one of the more demanding aviation mission sets conducted during domestic operations training.

“This is kind of the varsity league of training,” Trakel said. “The aircraft, we put it pretty close to its limitations when we’re picking water up, moving the aircraft around in tight spaces, at low airspeed with a high power setting.”

He added that the mission requires experienced crews and constant communication and coordination among pilots, crew chiefs and ground firefighters. During real wildfire responses, military aviation crews often integrate with multiple civilian rotary-wing aircraft operating from the same water sources and along the same flight paths.

“It takes a lot of coordination,” said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Martin Hays, battalion aviation mission survivability officer, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion, Washington National Guard. “You’re dealing with firefighters on the ground and additional weight with the water bucket.”

Hays said wildfire response operations remain among the more demanding domestic mission sets conducted by Guard aviation crews due to terrain, smoke, wind conditions and the coordination required between ground personnel and aircraft.

During the exercise, firefighters and aircrews practiced identifying targets, coordinating water-drop locations, and maintaining positive communication throughout the operation.

“The first thing that we do is try to identify our ground contact to make sure we have positive communication with the crews,” said the battalion commander for Central Pierce Fire and Rescue. “Obviously, the priority is actually stopping any forward progress towards residential structures or life hazards.”

Fire officials said the partnership has continued to grow through recurring joint training opportunities between firefighters and Guard aviation crews.

“It’s extremely rare to find helicopters that are willing to train with us,” a firefighter said. “We decided this was a great opportunity for us to get some training out of this too.”

Since 2012, the Washington National Guard has supported wildfire suppression efforts alongside the Washington Department of Natural Resources throughout the state. In 2024, aviation crews flew more than 75 firefighting hours and dropped nearly 300,000 gallons of water in support of multiple wildfire responses across Washington. According to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, 1.2 million gallons of water were delivered via aviation assets with an average response of 16 minutes in 2025.

In recent years, Washington Army National Guard aviation crews have been activated to support wildfire response operations across the state.

“The more we get to go out and do this, the better,” Trakel said. “It just makes us safer, more capable to give back to the state when called upon.”

As Washington prepares for another wildfire season, Guard aviators and local firefighters continue building the relationships, communication and operational readiness needed to protect communities across the state.

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