Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcel Kamill Mickles, 49, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Sincere M. Perkins, 25, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after having previously been convicted at jury trial of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a machine gun.
Source: United States Army
“My philological studies have satisfied me that a gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing), in 30 hours, French in 30 days, and German in 30 years.” – Mark Twain, “That Awful German Language”
USAG BAVARIA – HOHENFELS, Germany – English-speaking members of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria find themselves in an envious – albeit daunting – position: living in the land of the not-so-distant cousin language of German.
Twain in his essay “That Awful German Language” propounds upon the German language’s many difficulties – the gendering of its nouns, declensions of nouns based on grammatical case, cumbrously long concatenations of words into new words, and terminal placement of verbs.
Whereas Twain visited Germany as a lecturer, modern-day U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria community members instead live here year-round. They must bustle through the busy grocery store, procure train tickets to far-off towns, and, for fun, engage in affable conversation with neighborly folk. It is fine and good to build fellowship within a like-speaking community; it is altogether an adventure to connect to the people and environs new to oneself.
And that is what learning German offers to the community member. Ilona Johnson is the social services assistant with the Relocation Readiness Program at Army Community Service at Hohenfels, and as part of her job she helps military community members integrate into their new home.
“It is important for people to learn the German language, just to be a little bit more integrated in that awesome life outside of our gate,” said Johnson. “German is not a very easy language to learn, but I feel it opens the doors to be more involved in the host-nation community.”
German speakers do not care as much about the finer points of grammar in casual conversation, Johnson said. Communicating, whether eloquently or not, stands most important.
“Don’t overthink it, just do it, try it,” she said. “No matter if ‘der, die, das’ is correct, everyone understands what you mean.”
Resources, on post
To start learning German, there are many resources both on and off post to begin with and to continue learning.
With on-post resources, service members, civilians and their Families can gain a foothold at Army Community Service, according to Johnson.
ACS regularly hosts two beginner courses. The German as a second language basic course, which is spread across six sessions, lays the groundwork for those completely unfamiliar with the language. The next iteration of the course takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 9 through 11 and 16 through 18.
Learners who already have a basic understanding can then take ACS’s course on simple conversation, which also lasts six sessions.
At Hohenfels, Johnson said, ACS has partnered with the Turnbull Memorial Library to restart the German conversation sessions in April. During these sessions, participants speak German in a judgment-free environment with knowledgeable speakers.
Beyond the German conversation sessions, the library at Hohenfels also hosts a German storytime for children ages 3 to 5, with the next session taking place at 10 a.m. March 10. Staff members read multiple books in English and German, sing songs in German and help the children (and their parents) learn more about local customs and traditions.
The libraries across USAG Bavaria make resources available to community members to learn German. They have audiobooks with language-learning materials both in physical format and through the Libby library app.
The library can also procure physical books and many other media from other connected military libraries throughout Europe via interlibrary loan. The library website lists nearly 4,400 works in German, including more than 3,300 books (children’s books, novels, non-fiction), more than 500 DVDs and blu-rays, nearly 400 CDs (audiobooks and music) and more.
The libraries at USAG Bavaria can also grant community members access to the Mango Language Learning app, which, along with many other languages, has a German language course totaling five units, 41 chapters and 757 lessons. The lessons cover a wide swath of topics and walk users through the particularities of German grammar. For those inclined toward Bavarian culture, there is also a specialty unit on Oktoberfest with 16 lessons.
Library personnel recommend talking to them first to gain access to Mango through an Army library account.
Another on-post resource could be Udemy Business: It is offered to service members and their spouses and civilians working for the Army for free. They have language classes on the platform, and it is usable on a smartphone.
Resources, off post
As to off-post resources, there are many available online, including smartphone applications like Mango Language Learning (mentioned above), streaming services and podcasts.
There are several resources provided through the U.S. Defense Language Institute. Headstart2, Rapport and Language Survival Kits provide an introduction to many different languages, including German. For those who want to venture beyond the basic, there is the Global Language Online Support System, which has 97 lessons on German with downloadable PDFs and MP3s.
Those community members who are already signed up for streaming services often have the option of watching films and television shows with German subtitles or German dubbing. With a grounding of German language and a familiarity with a given film or series, memory and context can help fill in the gaps.
There are many language-learning podcasts out there. One such organization that provides them is the Deutsche Welle, Germany’s broadcasting organization. Alongside their podcasts, they provide videos online to help learners, and they organize their material under the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1-A2 for beginners, B1-B2 for intermediate level learners, and C1-C2 for advanced learners). As a broadcasting agency, they also provide a podcast of “Langsam Gesprochene Nachrichten” or “slowly spoken news,” which gives learning listeners the time to hear and process what is being conveyed.
Some learners find it useful to have material in hand and workbooks. Most larger bookstores will have a language-learning section with course material for German as a second language. Some may even have bilingual books so readers can read one page in English and then again in German.
Without the benefit of rewind or slowing down, commuters can also practice their German without the aid of podcast or audiobook through over-the-air broadcast: radio. There are talk radio stations to hear from. Even music stations typically chime in the hour and half-hour with news, weather and traffic updates.
For learners wishing for an in-person touch, community colleges (Volkhochschulen or VHS for short) often provide evening classes for German-as-a-second-language speakers.
More on German:
Links to resources:
Here are links to several of the online resources mentioned in this article:
Army Community Services:
On-post libraries:
Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (https://www.dliflc.edu/elearning/):
Deutsche Welle Deutsch lernen (https://learngerman.dw.com/de/deutsch-lernen/s-9095)
Source: United States Airforce
Leaders doubled down on the importance of acquisition transformation within the DAF BATTLE NETWORK framework, highlighting the department’s focus on maturing architecture and delivering capability at operational speed.
Source: United States Army
WASHINGTON — National Guard senior leaders joined French army leaders in a ceremony Tuesday marking the longstanding alliance between the U.S. and France and honoring the sacrifices of service members from both countries.
U.S. Army Brig. Gens. Carrie Perez, director of Army personnel management at the National Guard Bureau, and Robin Hoeflein, vice director of manpower and personnel at the NGB, joined French army Lt. Gen. Frédéric Gout, head of the French army’s personnel branch, and other French army leaders in the ceremony at the World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington.
“Standing here with my French counterpart fills me with deep respect and gratitude,” said Hoeflein. “Today’s ceremony is not just a time to remember, but a sign of the lasting connection between our countries.”
Gout said he felt similarly, adding that the ceremony gave time to remember service members who came before and to reflect on the past, while reaffirming the connection between the two nations now and in the future.
The partnership between the two countries dates to the American Revolution and is the U.S.’s longest alliance.
The short ceremony included a wreath laying at the monument, meant to recognize servicemembers’ sacrifices for both countries and specifically recognize Ferdinand Capdevielle and Kiffen Rockwell – two Americans killed in World War I while serving with French forces.
“Remembering them connects our history to the present,” said Hoeflein.
Born in New York City in 1893, Capdevielle enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in 1914 just after the war broke out. He was citied multiple times for leadership and bravery and took part in many of the war’s major battles – including the Battle of Verdun in 1916, one of the conflict’s longest and most devastating engagements.
Capdevielle was killed on Oct. 3, 1918, while leading an attack against a German machine gun position near Orfeuil, France. He was the last American who enlisted in French forces to be killed during the war.
Rockwell, born in Newport, Tennessee in 1892, also enlisted in the French Foreign Legion in 1914. He was wounded in the leg in May 1915 and after recovering requested a transfer to the French air force. There he served with the Lafayette Escadrille, a fighter squadron composed largely of American pilots.
In May 1916 he shot down a German aircraft, becoming the first American pilot of the war to down an enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He also flew missions during the Battle of Verdun, where he was wounded in the face.
On Sept. 23, 1916, Rockwell was killed instantly when an explosive round struck him in the chest while he was engaged in aerial combat with a German aircraft. His plane crashed near French lines. He was the second American airman killed in the war.
“Honoring those who gave their lives, and our allies, is a shared responsibility,” said Hoeflein. “By remembering their sacrifice, we ensure their stories and bravery endure. Each memorial and every moment of reflection affirms that their sacrifice mattered.”
The ceremony concluded with a bugler in WWI uniform sounding taps, as many reflected on the sacrifices of both U.S. and French servicemembers.
“Our safety and freedom rest on their courage,” said Hoeflein. “By honoring them, we renew our commitment to protect that freedom and strengthen the partnerships that sustain it.”
Source: United States Spaceforce
Senior Department of the Air Force leaders emphasized that warfighting readiness, modernization and investment in Airmen and Guardians remain central to maintaining deterrence and preparing for future conflict during a panel discussion at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2026 Warfare Symposium.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., 65, a former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot, was arrested today in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and charged by criminal complaint for providing, and conspiring to provide, unauthorized defense services to Chinese military pilots in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Former U.S. Air Force officer and pilot Gerald Eddie Brown, Jr., also known by the call sign “Runner,” 65, a U.S. citizen, was arrested today in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Brown was charged by criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Brown is expected to have his initial appearance before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on February 26, 2026.
“The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “When U.S. persons – whether military or civilian – provide training to a foreign military, that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department. The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECA.”
“Gerald Brown, a former F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot with decades of experience flying U.S. military aircraft, allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “The Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the U.S. armed forces to modernize China’s military capabilities. This arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardize our national security.”
“As an Air Force Officer, Brown took an oath to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic, he broke that oath, and betrayed the country, jeopardizing the safety of our servicemembers and allies,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “We will hold Brown, and anyone conspiring against our Nation, accountable for their actions. The Department of Justice and my prosecutors are steadfast in our commitment to use every lawful tool available to keep American military expertise where it belongs – here in America.”
“Providing U.S. military training to our adversaries represents a significant threat to national security,” said Lee M. Russ, Executive Director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Office of Special Projects. “AFOSI remains committed to countering the threat posed by those who violate the trust placed in them and endanger our service members.”
As alleged in the complaint, since at least in or around August 2023, Brown willfully conspired with foreign nationals and U.S. persons to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force, known as the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). This training was a defense service under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Brown, a U.S. person under the ITAR, lacked the required license from the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to provide that training to foreign persons or foreign military units.
Brown served for over 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, leaving active duty in 1996 with the rank of Major. During his lengthy military career, Brown commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems, led combat missions, and served as a fighter pilot instructor and simulator instructor on a variety of fighter and attack aircraft, including the F-4 “Phantom II,” F-15 “Eagle,” F-16 “Fighting Falcon,” and the A-10 “Thunderbolt II” (Warthog). Brown then served as a commercial cargo pilot and, most recently, as a contract simulator instructor for two different U.S. defense contractors training U.S. military pilots on flying the A-10 and the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
According to the complaint, in or around August 2023, Brown began arranging the terms of his contract to train Chinese military pilots, using a co-conspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin, a Chinese national who in 2016 pled guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to conspiring to hack into the computer networks of major U.S. defense contractors and steal sensitive military and export-controlled data for the PRC. He was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. Su Bin and his company PRC Lode Technology Company were also added to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Entity List in 2014.
Throughout these communications, Brown consistently stated his intent to train PRC military pilots in combat aircraft operations. In the resumé he prepared for his application, Brown wrote his “objective” as “Instructor Fighter Pilot.” A co-conspirator told Brown that he hoped Brown would be assigned to “my base, but otherwise you’ll go where is the local equivalent as the [U.S. Air Force] Weapon School.” Later, he stated to a co-conspirator that, upon his arrival in China, “Now…. I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!”
In December 2023, Brown traveled to China to begin his work training PRC military pilots. After his arrival, Brown answered question for three hours about the U.S. Air Force on his first day in the PRC and then, on his second day, prepared and presented a brief about himself for the PLAAF. Brown remained in China until he traveled to the United States in early February 2026.
The charges against Brown follow similar charges filed against former U.S. Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan in the District of Columbia in September 2017. Duggan was charged with providing and conspiring to provide defense services to Chinese military pilots without authorization in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, as well as for conspiring to engage in international money laundering. Like Brown, Duggan received significant training during his career as a pilot in the U.S. military, then used that training for the benefit of the Chinese military. In particular, Duggan is alleged to have trained Chinese military pilots on the tactics, techniques, and procedures associated with takeoff from and landing on an aircraft carrier. Duggan was arrested in Australia in October 2022 and is currently pending extradition to the United States.
In June 2024, the United States, along with the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand, published a bulletin warning that “China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to target current and former military personnel from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and other Western countries to help bolster the PLA’s capabilities.” In February 2025, Gen. James B. Hecker, the then-commander of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, stated: “Once you fly on our team, even after you hang up your uniform, you have a responsibility to protect our tactics, techniques and procedures.”
The case against Brown is being investigated by the FBI’s New York Field Office, with valuable assistance from the FBI’s Louisville, Indianapolis, and Los Angeles Field Offices. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations also provided substantial assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Beau Barnes and Acting Deputy Chief Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, with assistance from National Security Division Paralegal Specialist Derra McQuaig. Substantial assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
* * *
An indictment, complaint, or criminal information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
A Columbia, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense in St. Joseph, Mo.; transporting approximately 2,300 fentanyl pills at a train station in Kansas City, Mo.; and for possession with intent to distribute another 913 fentanyl pills in Quapaw, Okla.
Source: United States Army
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – National Guard Soldiers from various backgrounds, skillsets and military occupational specialties attending a 10-day small unmanned aircraft system operator course, or sUAS, are learning how to operate small drones.
The course, which began Feb. 19 and ends Feb. 28, is being conducted by the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute.
“It’s been a great course,” said Sgt. Stephen Scharf, a student from 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment. “It’s a very evolving world, so there are a lot of new ideas coming out. A lot of things are changing very rapidly.
The course is structured to encourage students to adopt a tactical mindset and understand how the things they learn can be integrated into a large-scale combat operation, said Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Wahl, the sUAS operator course manager.
“One of my main goals here is to make it as realistic as we can,” he said. “So, it’s important for everyone to know how to operate one, because at any point you could be tasked with operating it.”
Several members of the 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia National Guard, attended the course because their unit is deploying soon. They’ll be using these drones on their deployment, Spc. Simon Bertram said.
“For infantry, it’s very necessary for reconnaissance,” Bertram said. “Getting more drone operators will be very beneficial.”
Other attendees of the course came to learn a new skill. Scharf said the course has been very informative.
“It’s an evolving world, and a lot of things are changing very rapidly,” he said. “The instructors are doing their best to stay on top of it and disseminating that info.”
Scharf mentioned that this course and the information it provides have been beneficial not just for himself but for the Army as a whole.
“It’s something that as we develop this, more doctrine gets established,” he said. “It’s going to be something that you’re going to see more widespread throughout both the Guard and the Army.”
The course is open to National Guard members of all military occupational specialties.
“There are infantrymen here, some of them are engineers,” Wahl said. “One of the students is an intel guy. There’s all kinds of jobs that come through.”
“All of these different jobs in the Army will be affected by sUAS’s,” Scharf said. “Sometimes that might be that you have to figure out how, which is a great thing.”
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