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Source: United States Army

FLORENCE, Italy — Hundreds of Americans and Italians gathered under a clear blue sky on Memorial Day to honor thousands of U.S. service members buried at the Florence American Cemetery, marking the remembrance with a solemn ceremony defined by gratitude and shared military history.

The May 25 event drew a crowd of military officials, local citizens and organizations dedicated to preserving the memory of those who died in defense of liberty, including a delegation of veterans from Veterans of Foreign Wars Mediterranean Post 8862 based out of Vicenza, Italy.

The pristine grounds, which serve as the final resting place for 4,392 American service members, were transformed earlier in the weekend by a joint contingent of American and Italian boy scouts. The scouts meticulously placed American and Italian flags at the base of every single headstone, creating a grid of red, white, green, and blue across 70 acres.

“We gather here today at this Florence American Cemetery to honor the 4,392 Americans laid to rest on these grounds,” said Vice Admiral J.T. Anderson, Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, during his keynote remarks. “They represent just a fraction of the nearly 70,000 U.S. service members who rest in peace eternally across the European continent.”

The ceremony emphasized the bonds forged between the United States and Italy during the campaigns of World War II. More than a dozen ceremonial wreaths were laid at the base of the central memorial to pay tribute to the fallen. Among them was a wreath from U.S. Army Garrison Italy, presented jointly by USAG Italy Garrison Commander, Col. Vaughn D. Strong Jr., and his Camp Darby Deputy Garrison Manager, Tim Andersen.

For the veteran community in Italy, the annual pilgrimage to the cemetery represents a profound duty. Commander Bobby White of VFW Vicenza Mediterranean Post 8862 noted that his post has maintained this tradition for at least two decades.

“For today’s event here at the Memorial Day ceremony, the historical value is that for the VFW, for many years we’ve been here,” White said. “We have come here to pay homage to our fallen soldiers and comrades. They have made sacrifices dating back to World War I and World War II. So this day, I take it dearly, because I get to say thank you to those who paved the way for us to be here.”

Italian military and auxiliary representatives spoke with equal emotion about the price paid by American forces to secure the freedom of their nation.

“I feel like it was important to pay my respects to the American Army,” said Col. Luciano Prestipino of the Italian Red Cross Military Corps. “The ones to put boots on the ground, to put their life on the line, to free us.”568

Lt. Gen. Massimo Panizzi of the Italian Army delivered an address that captured the geographic and emotional reality of the young service members buried thousands of miles from their homes.

“They rest here. Far from the voices they love, far from the streets where they grew up. But not far from our gratitude,” Panizzi said. “And today, from this land of Italy, we offer them immense thanks. The Italian people remember your sacrifice. We remember their lives given up on our soil for the freedom of others. And we all honor the bond of friendship forged through courage, suffering and hope. Every name carved in stone reminds us that freedom is not free.”

The gravity of the landscape also left an impression on the younger generation participating in the commemorations, giving them a rare perspective on wartime sacrifice.

“I feel quite honored to be at a place like the Florence American Cemetery,” said Brian Ehler, 14, a Life Scout in Scouting America. “I think it’s quite a rare experience that no normal American teenager would usually have. And I think it’s also a good way to remember the fallen who’ve given up their lives, so we could be here at this very moment.”

As the formal program concluded, a U.S. Marine stepped forward just outside the monument area to play a final tribute of “Taps.” The bugle call echoed across the graves and the large marble tablets nearby, which bear the names of an additional 1,409 service members missing in action.

Moments after the final note faded, the silence was broken by the roar of a ceremonial flyover. F-16 fighter jets from the 555th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Wing, based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, streaked across the clear skies to end a day dedicated to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy — U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF‑AF) expanded its commitment to human performance with the launch of the Post‑Exercise Optimization Program, or POP, a new initiative designed to help Soldiers and civilians recover faster and maintain readiness after periods of high operational demand.

POP builds on the foundation established by the Optimizing the Human Weapon System program, which integrated human‑performance science into SETAF‑AF operations throughout 2024 and early 2025. OHWS data revealed a consistent pattern: After major exercises, readiness and sleep scores dipped sharply before gradually rebounding.

“My role is to help leaders make data‑driven decisions,” said Christie Cornell, Integrated Prevention Advisory Group lead for SETAF‑AF. “Data is telling us Soldiers perform at lower levels of readiness when certain stress factors are present.”

When OHWS ended in April, SETAF‑AF’s Integrated Prevention Advisory Group developed POP as a no‑cost, internally run successor. The program preserves the momentum of OHWS while expanding its reach across the formation.

POP is a fully developed, research‑supported, four‑week recovery program designed to counter the predictable dip in readiness following major exercises or operational missions. Each week includes a 50‑minute virtual workshop for leaders and a 90‑minute in‑person session for personnel, supported by a customized participant guide. The curriculum covers burnout prevention, sleep and recovery, high‑performance learning environments and chaplain‑led resilience training.

“We approach the human weapon system with expertise and background in performance psychology,” said David Baleno, a performance expert with the Ready and Resilient Performance Center. “Usually, people perform more poorly when under a high cognitive load.”

Baleno, who holds a master’s degree in sports psychology and is a certified mental performance consultant, emphasized that the program’s design mirrors how Soldiers must perform under pressure.

“By training under more complicated, higher‑stress situations, we can help apply skills like memory and recall or problem-solving to optimize performance,” he said.

POP also draws on successful models across the joint force. The Navy SEALs’ mental toughness program and the Air Force’s True North initiative demonstrate that proactive stress‑management training can prevent burnout, improve performance and increase deployability. These are principles echoed throughout the POP curriculum.

“The weekly sessions are interactive,” said Lloyd Scharneck, R2PC manager. “We want participants to share what they’re going through. That way, we can make necessary adjustments and build the skills which optimize their productivity now and maintain that level into the future.”

Hands-on sessions include nervous‑system regulation, mindfulness training, stress‑relief and inflammation workshops, as well as assistance with stressor recovery. The program’s design reflects an ecological approach, addressing both individual stress responses and the leadership environments that shape them.

“Our team ensures units are aware of, and are actively utilizing, the resources the Army provides for performance optimization,” Cornell said.

Although program coordinators developed POP in response to trends observed during African Lion 2025, participation is open to any SETAF‑AF directorate, regardless of exercise involvement. OHWS data showed that even during periods of budget constraints and organizational change, personnel were able to bounce back when equipped with awareness and targeted interventions.

POP aims to accelerate that recovery.

“Any team experiencing high OPTEMPO [operational tempo], persistent stressors or post‑mission fatigue can benefit,” Cornell said. “We built POP to be flexible. Directorates can integrate it into their battle rhythm without disrupting mission requirements.”

SETAF‑AF leadership repeatedly emphasizes that people — not platforms — are the command’s decisive advantage. POP reinforces that priority by giving Soldiers and civilians the tools to recover quickly, manage stress effectively and sustain performance across demanding missions.

“POP strengthens the formation from the inside out,” Cornell said. “It ensures our people have what they need to recover, reset and stay ready for whatever mission comes next.”

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

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland – U.S. Army Capt. Harold McMurrin quickly stood out in the Field Artillery Squadron (FAS), 2d Cavalry Regiment (2CR), for his technical skills and innovative ideas. As commander of the Launched Effects “Demon” Battery, he was tasked with building the unit from scratch and introduced advanced, unmanned aerial systems — remotely piloted aircraft with cameras and sensors — to the regiment. His experience, leadership, and vision have placed the Launched Effects Battery at the center of the Army’s modernization efforts.

“He’s got a long, varied background… very smart, very growth-minded,” U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Huckleberry, commander, FAS, 2CR. “Giving him this ambiguous problem set and creating a new capability that fills a gap — he’s the right person for this.”

Huckleberry said McMurrin was hand-selected six months ago to form and lead the unit, tasked with implementing multiple unmanned armed systems within 2CR’s FAS.

McMurrin graduated from the Cavalry Leaders Course and served as a squadron fire support officer (FSO). He brings reconnaissance, armor, and fire support experience. This mix helped him build a functional battery from limited equipment and an ambiguous mission set.

Throughout the combined-arms live-fire exercise during Saber Strike at the Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA), Poland, McMurrin was seen testing drones with his team, conducting arms rehearsals and moving between the tactical operations center (TOC) and the field.

These early actions highlighted McMurrin’s hands-on approach and commitment to integrating advanced technologies into real-world training. His visible leadership during Saber Strike not only demonstrated the potential of UAS in a dynamic environment, but also set the tone for how Demon Battery would operate under his command.

His unique role — possibly the only one in the Army — means he wears two hats: commanding the launch effects battery and, filling a staff position in the TOC, managing the regiment’s firefight as the assistant FSO.

McMurrin’s path into field artillery is a family tradition. Both his mother and father served as field artillery officers, and he has served for eight years in the Army. He held prior jobs as a biologist and a truck driver before committing to a career in the military.

He participated in exercise Saber Strike, a multinational training event, while his first sergeant and other Soldiers of the battery took part in Project Flytrap 5.0, a joint initiative at the Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania.

Launched Effects Battery’s first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Mohammad Bihamta said, “Capt. McMurrin is a key contributor to the regiment’s success during Saber Strike 26 and Flytrap. His ability to connect teams, systems, and capabilities across the formation ensures Demon Battery delivers effects that directly support the regiment’s mission. He thrives in complex environments. He leverages relationships and a persistent, solutions-oriented mindset to overcome friction and maintain momentum.”

Across the regiment and U.S. Army Europe, launched effects batteries like “Demon” Battery and another in the 25th Infantry Division are among a growing number of units experimenting with UAS integration in field artillery.

McMurrin stated that the work done during Saber Strike and associated experiments helps shape standard operating procedures and informs how emerging technologies will be employed in future engagements.

Both Project Flytrap and Saber Strike, part of Sword 26, are exercises that turn investment into capability. Soldiers integrate unmanned systems such as AI-enabled command and control and live data networks to move, decide, and fight more effectively across all domains. Sword 26 demonstrates how U.S. Army Europe and Africa drives transformation at scale while strengthening deterrence.

Thanks to McMurrin’s dedication and strong communication skills within the battery, the Launched Effects Battery demonstrated precision during Saber Strike. In just six months since creation, they used several types of reconnaissance drones: medium, long-range, short-range, and a few first-person-view drones. This showcased the battery’s strength and versatility.

“UAS provides the Soldier on the ground the ability to look further than ground-based sensors have — so further than their binoculars, their mark-one eyeball (eyes), the sights on their weapons, and other sensors that they carry on their person,” said McMurrin. “It lets them go further; it lets them naturally go beyond terrain that would block their view — the other side of a hill, the other side of a wood line — and it lets them see the enemy before the enemy can gain ground and observe them.”

His role as commander of the battery is essential to providing this type of support to the troops of the Field Artillery Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

“The regimental operating concept is to be able to deploy and fight upon arrival,” McMurrin said. “Training in Poland and Lithuania simulates the conditions the regiment could face if employed in crisis, whether for deterrence, presence, or combat operations.”

Source: United States Army

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Less than 1% of Americans serve – or have served – in the Armed Forces. Sustaining the future force means building awareness and strengthening trust among the other 99%: families, employers, community leaders, and the next generation of Soldiers willing to raise their hands and take the oath.

Bringing all of them together under one roof is no small task. Army Reserve Ambassador for Tennessee Andrew Oppmann provided the connections to make it happen. And few venues have spent a century engaging Americans with a propensity to serve quite like Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and WSM Radio.

Leading into Memorial Day Weekend, this year’s Salute to Service gave Army Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command, the opportunity to meet with community members and Army Reserve recruiters – and to swear six young Americans into the Army Reserve on one of the nation’s most iconic stages.

The celebration carried added significance. The Grand Ole Opry marks its 100th anniversary this year as the nation continues commemorating America 250 – 250 years of American history, service and sacrifice. Throughout the evening, the Army Reserve was prominently featured alongside tributes to all branches of the U.S. military.

For Harter, the day was an opportunity to make the case for service directly. When Charlie Mattos, host of WSM Radio, asked what he’d tell someone on the fence about joining, Harter didn’t hesitate. “Go for it. Why would you want to do something easy? It’s the greatest team on the planet.” He added: “The Army Reserve allows so many of our young men and women to live a life of purpose – stay home, keep your civilian job, and we help you with the rest.”

He didn’t stop there. “Doesn’t mean the other 99 percent aren’t great,” Harter continued. “But these young men and women have made a commitment, and they’re joining at a crazy time. They see the world and what’s going on, and yet they still raise their right hand.”

The event also showcased the extraordinary talent within the force. Country music performer and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Craig Morgan performed alongside Michael Trotter, a veteran in his own right, the 100th Army Reserve Band and the 313th Army Band – the same musicians Harter had praised on WSM that morning. “People don’t realize how amazing these musicians are,” he said.

A tribute projected on the Opry’s screen honored the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University – the largest veterans support center at any Tennessee college or university, serving more than 1,000 military-connected students a year. Charlie Daniels completed more than 30 tours for U.S. troops, more than half of them in combat zones. That connection to MTSU runs directly through Oppmann.

On stage, retired Army Lt. Gen. Keith Huber – a 38-year Army veteran, former commander in Afghanistan and now MTSU’s Senior Advisor for Veterans and Leadership Initiatives – was also recognized.

Then, six soldiers came forward.

They stepped onto the Grand Ole Opry stage – past the lights, past the crowd gathered for country music, past a century of American performance and storytelling – and stood before the Chief of Army Reserve.

Harter raised his right hand. They raised theirs.

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Before it was over, the audience had risen to its feet.

Not for the music. Not for the performers. But for six young Americans who had just joined the less than 1% – under a roof that brought together families, employers, community leaders, and a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry.

Source: United States Army

VICENZA, Italy — Three Vicenza High School student-athletes earned All-Tournament Team honors for their exceptional performances at the 2026 DoDEA European Soccer Championship, school officials announced May 22, 2026.

Girls’ team captains Natalia Lopez and Gabriella “Ella” Zollman led the Cougars on and off the field. Lopez concluded the tournament with four goals and five assists, while Zollman recorded three goals and four assists. On the boys’ side, Benedict Morton secured an All-Tournament selection for his standout play and leadership throughout the competition.

While the Vicenza girls’ soccer team finished fifth overall, team officials emphasized that their impact extended far beyond the scoreboard.

“Both of our girls’ captains demonstrated outstanding leadership and high-level performance throughout the tournament, and Ben represented the boys’ team with the same excellence,” said a Vicenza School Sports representative.

“These three student athletes represented Vicenza with exceptional sportsmanship, competitiveness, and pride.”

The tournament highlighted the resilience of the Vicenza teams, which battled through tight matches and relied on a strong sense of community to overcome competitive hurdles. The official noted that the athletes’ commitment to supporting one another in high-pressure moments was a testament to their character.

“We believe it’s important to highlight the positive things happening with our kids both within our community and beyond. Their accomplishments are a perfect example of that.”

Source: United States Army

52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade (52d ADA BDE) is testing and evaluating new counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (c-UAS) capabilities, including IonStrike, a radar-agnostic, low-cost kinetic interceptor designed to strengthen layered defense against Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

IonStrike, produced by DZYNE Technologies, offers a potential new mid-range intercept capability for air defense formations facing increasingly complex UAS threats. The system integrates with existing command-and-control architectures, including the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) System and the Integrated Battle Command System Maneuver (IBCS-M), enabling Soldiers to employ the interceptor through systems they already use to detect, track, classify, and engage one-way attack drones.

These developmental tests focused on evaluating IonStrike’s suitability for the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), the transformational warfighting concept that leverages unmanned and minimally manned systems, backed by an integrated mission command network that uses live data to accelerate decision-making and offset forward posture and adversary advantages in mass and momentum. The EFDI is spearheaded by the vision of the United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) and NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM).

During recent test and demonstration events this spring, DZYNE brought IonStrike to Europe and demonstrated its capabilities to senior leaders from USAREUR-AF and LANDCOM. Throughout this process, 52d ADA BDE provided Soldier touchpoints focused on operational employment, integration requirements, and feedback from air defenders who understand the realities of defending fixed and semi-fixed sites against one-way attack drones (OWAD). A follow-on operational assessment is planned for this summer.

“IonStrike is important because it does not require Soldiers to learn a new kill chain,” said Maj. Cody Davis, 52d ADA BDE Operations Officer. “It integrates with approved C2 systems, cues on existing radar feeds, and provides commanders another kinetic option within the air defense architecture,” Davis continued.

The 52d ADA BDE remains committed to rapidly identifying, testing, and integrating capabilities that strengthen air defense in depth, protect critical assets, and provide commanders with more options to counter evolving aerial threats.

IonStrike is launched from a multi-interceptor pallet and is cued by radars already integrated into approved command-and-control (C2) systems. The test configuration uses a 4-interceptor launcher, and the brigade is working with DZYNE to field a 12-interceptor configuration to increase magazine depth against larger raid profiles.

Unlike traditional interceptors, which are typically expended after launch (fire-and-forget) and require one operator per target, IonStrike offers extended range and greater operator flexibility, especially against swarm threats. If a target is reclassified as friendly or no longer meets engagement criteria, the operator can abort the engagement or reassign it to another target. This gives commanders the ability to launch earlier, extend engagement depth, and preserve decision space without automatically losing the interceptor.

At a cost below that of the threats it defeats, IonStrike sits to the left of the traditional cost curve for fully autonomous, extended-range kinetic interceptors. The system preserves higher-end air defense interceptors for more demanding threats while providing commanders with a lower-cost option against UAS targets, leveraging existing training and soldier resources to implement at scale.

The kill mechanism uses a precision terminal infrared seeker coupled with a proximity-fuzed warhead on the interceptor to increase lethality against one-way attack drones of all sizes in both day and night engagements.

For the brigade, the assessment is part of a broader effort to identify, test, and accelerate capabilities that enable Soldiers to defeat emerging UAS threats in operationally relevant conditions. The operational assessment will examine IonStrike’s integration with existing C2 systems, radar cueing, abort functions, launcher configuration, reload process, and lethality against representative one-way attack drones.

“The summer assessment will determine whether IonStrike can deliver a repeatable combat layer under operational conditions,” said Maj. Benjamin Bowman, the 52d ADA BDE Forward Operations Officer. “The questions are straightforward: can it integrate, can it be fired through existing C2, can it extend the defended area, can it be reallocated in flight, and can Soldiers sustain it in the field?”

IonStrike offers air defenders a scalable kinetic layer between electronic warfare, traditional gun systems, and higher-cost missile interceptors. The system’s combination of low Soldier burden, radar-agnostic cueing, C2 integration, and a re-taskable flight profile gives commanders greater air defense depth against UAS threats.

The 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade provides air and missile defense capabilities in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The brigade focuses on defending critical assets, protecting maneuver forces, and advancing integrated air defense capabilities across the European and African theaters.