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Source: United States Army

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U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Angela Ling spearheaded the first-ever Tanzanian medical readiness exercise during Justified Accord 26. She transformed a state partnership into real-world operational readiness.

The exercise took place at Lugalo General Military Hospital in Dar es Salaam and Msata Military Training Base, March 2-12. The event leverages the Nebraska-Tanzania State Partnership Program by having U.S. and Tanzanian medical professionals train side by side to provide care and strengthen long-term collaboration.

Ling, assigned to the 155th Medical Group, 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard, orchestrated this historic mission. She sourced distinct medical specialties from U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force units across the Nebraska National Guard and active-duty personnel to build a cohesive joint team. The exercise structure reflects the needs identified by Tanzanian partners rather than relying on a predetermined U.S. team.

“We collaborate with the host nation about the types of specialties they prefer,” Ling said. “It’s not just what Nebraska has available, it’s what they need and desire, and then how do we improve readiness by fulfilling their needs.”

Ling’s passion for global health began during her 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. Locals called her “Mama Ling” while she treated children at the hospital. She commissioned in 2007 and served 12 years on active duty as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner.

She transitioned to the Nebraska National Guard in 2019 to provide geographic stability for her family. The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped her responsibilities and introduced her to large-scale operational planning. By September 2020, she ran all COVID-19 operations for the state of Nebraska at the governor’s request.

She oversaw testing, vaccinations and alternate care facilities, cementing her evolution from a clinical provider to an operational planner.

“In the National Guard, I have been able to do more things than I ever could have imagined,” Ling said.

Ling also holds a leadership position at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Global Center for Health Security. She manages disaster health response grants and leverages that institutional knowledge when designing medical engagements in resource-constrained environments. Since 2022, she has participated in multiple engagements across Rwanda and Tanzania, serving as lead planner for the first medical readiness exercises in both countries.

The Tanzania exercise introduced new technology designed to better measure the impact of medical readiness operations. JA26 marked the first time the Medical Currency Application for Readiness Tracking 2.0, a cloud-enabled medical tracking platform developed by the U.S. Air Force, has been employed in an Army-led military exercise — and the first time that capability has operated in Africa. The modular system allows providers to log encounters, procedures, diagnoses and clinical hours through a mobile interface.

International exercises often require months or years of coordination and trust-building between partner nations. Ling explained that interoperability and host-nation requirements drive the mission despite logistical complexities. The resulting joint medical team integrates capabilities that match Tanzanian priorities.

Establishing this initial medical engagement in Tanzania promotes shared responsibility and enables African partners to lead regional security efforts. The SPP builds relationships that outlast a two-week training rotation. Constant communication builds the trust required for rapid crisis response.

“The relationship takes more than one engagement,” Ling said. “It builds over multiple visits as you get to know and trust each other.”

For Ling, the Tanzania exercise is an early demonstration of what the Nebraska-Tanzania partnership can achieve. It highlights the growing role National Guard planners play in strengthening global military cooperation. Individual planners, clinicians and National Guardsmen transform strategic agreements into real-world readiness.

“This fills my cup,” Ling said. “Having the opportunity to plan these missions brings me a lot of joy.”

Justified Accord is U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise in East Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) and hosted this year in Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania, JA26 increased multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance and crisis response, prepared regional partners for United Nations and African Union missions, and built readiness for the U.S. joint force.

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US, Tanzanian medical professionals complete Tanzania’s first-ever medical readiness exercise during Justified Accord 26 | March 17, 2026

US, Kenya expand innovation, crisis response readiness during Justified Accord 2026 MEDCAP | March 7, 2026

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

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Being a part of the largest population of U.S. citizens outside the continental United States means facing unique challenges and threats. Terrorism is the most notable of those threats, requiring vigilance and awareness from all members of the total force community to make sure no threats are ever carried out.

Emily Roemer, Antiterrorism Officer with U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’ Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS), encourages Soldiers and families to remain vigilant and aware of any potential threats and report any suspicious activity to the right channels.

Roemer highlighted a few important things to look out for when out in public.

“A good rule of thumb to go by is if it looks sketchy, it probably is,” said Roemer.

She explained that if anything that looks strange or out of place, like a person wearing overly concealing clothing in the summer heat, someone surveying or taking notes on a place of interest – particularly a military installation gate or high-traffic area – it deserves a second look.

Roemer said high school students and young adults are helpful sensors for suspicious activity and encourages students to trust their gut and know how to use their resources to report any suspicious activity they notice.

“Even if students aren’t comfortable going directly to the police, telling a parent or teacher works just as well,” said Roemer.

Maintaining Operational Security, or OPSEC, is another measure everyone can practice to protect themselves and their communities.

“It’s hard to grasp just how many people out there can be listening for information,” Roemer cautioned.

OPSEC means being mindful of what information you’re posting or talking about. Always double check to make sure social media posts, conversations you’re having in public or any other form of public communication does not contain any sensitive information that could be harmful if it falls into the wrong hands.

Being careful of what questions you answer is also important, Roemer said. Bad actors may pose seemingly casual or normal questions that, while sounding innocent, are really attempts to get sensitive information.

She advised that if a stranger asks probing questions about deployment history, operations, training schedules, unit names or temporary duty (TDY), you should avoid answering to protect sensitive details.

Additionally, Roemer noted that high-traffic areas and mass gathering events are at higher risk for potential threats.

“Parades, concerts, and especially the yearly Octoberfest celebrations provide a lot of opportunities for bad actors to take advantage of,” said Roemer.

While it’s always a good idea to be mindful anytime you’re out in public, Roemer said it’s important to be extra vigilant for threats and suspicious activity around places and events like these.

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz’ award-winning anti-terrorism program always works to ensure the garrison and our communities are always supported and prepared for any threat that may arise.

To report any suspicious activity, call the garrison’s Military Police at 0611-143-541-7007/7008 or DSN 531-2677, or use the garrison’s suspicious activity reporting tool, https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/j7VryiMv4g. In the event of an emergency, dial 110 for law enforcement or 112 for fire services from any phone to connect with emergency services.

To learn more about DPTMS operations, visit https://home.army.mil/rheinland-pfalz/index.php/about/directorates-support-offices/s357-operations-dptms/operations

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

The Camp Darby military community celebrated a significant occasion on March 18 at the Darby Community Center, as members of the Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers program were recognized for their outstanding contributions.

During the ceremony, members of the BOSS team were awarded the Army Commendation Medal for their dedication and achievements.

The event was attended by USAG Italy Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Moreno, who traveled from Vicenza to join the celebration. Moreno praised the BOSS program for its impact. “We recognize excellence in this BOSS program that focuses on people. There is so much value in this program, but this could not happen without command emphasis,” said Moreno.

Also in attendance was Sean Morton, USAG Italy MWR director, who commended the team’s efforts and encouraged them to continue their exceptional work. “This is the 2025 award, but this is just the beginning,” Morton said. “I challenge you with that, continue to serve, continue to strive for greatness.”

The ceremony highlighted the achievements of the Camp Darby BOSS program, which was recently named the BOSS Program of the Year (small category) in the Army’s 2025 BOSS Awards.

Additionally, Cathy Towers, the BOSS Advisor for USAG Italy, received the prestigious Feltus Edwards Award for BOSS Advisor of the Year, marking another milestone for the program.

Sgt. Christopher Rossi, Camp Darby BOSS president, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and the support received from leadership. “I am very grateful for the command team coming down from Vicenza for this recognition. I am very blessed for the support received for the BOSS program,” said Rossi.

The BOSS program at Camp Darby has consistently demonstrated excellence, providing single service members with opportunities for community service, cultural exchange, and quality-of-life initiatives. The program’s success is part of a broader effort by USAG Italy, which has earned back-to-back honors in the Army’s BOSS Awards.

“Our BOSS team has shown unmatched commitment and professionalism,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Moreno. “These awards highlight the quality of their work and the time they’ve invested to make this one of the Army’s best programs.”

The recognition reflects the dedication of the BOSS team and their commitment to making a positive impact on the community. Rossi emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and long hours put in by the incredible BOSS team.”

As the Camp Darby BOSS program continues to grow, the team remains motivated to build on their success and make an even greater impact in the future. “Winning this award has motivated our team to surpass last year’s statistics and make an even greater impact on our community in FY26,” Rossi added.

Source: United States Army

The Camp Darby Military Community came together for a day filled with flavor, fun, and friendly competition at the Chili Cookout Contest held at the Darby Community Center on March 17.

The event showcased the culinary talents of 11 contestants, featuring a variety of delicious chili creations to impress the judges and attendees.

From traditional recipes to creative twists, one dish stood out above the rest. Nathan Cerulli, Fire Chief with the Directorate of Emergency Services, impressed the judges with his “Fire House Pheasant White Bean Chili”, earning him the title of Chili Cookout Champion.

As the champion, he was awarded a crown, an Oscar-style trophy, and a gift card to the local commissary.

“I’ve wanted to enter the past few years but never have. Since I will be PCS’ing soon, I thought it would be fun to enter, “said Cerulli. “I thought Fire House Pheasant White Bean Chili was a little risky to enter the contest with, but that’s what made it a fun challenge.”

When asked if he would participate again in the future, Cerulli added, “Well, since I’ve been here five years, it’s time for me to go back to the States. Hopefully, I can do my two-year reset and come to enter the contest again.”

The competition was incredibly close, with Jayme Hertlein, one of the event organizers, placing second by just one vote.

The event was also an opportunity for the Camp Darby community to come together, share laughs, and enjoy a day with friends.

“This event is a great way to bring everyone together and have some fun,” said Jayme Hertlein, one of the organizers. “It’s not just about the chili—it’s about connecting with each other and enjoying the day as a community.”

The Chili Cookout Contest is one of many events hosted at Camp Darby to foster morale and strengthen bonds within the military community. With its mix of friendly competition and delicious food, it’s sure to remain a favorite tradition for years to come.

Source: United States Army

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Today’s U.S. Army Reserve is the most battle-tested and experienced in our nation’s history. As the Army’s dedicated federal reserve force, the Army Reserve exists to serve both the Army and the Nation with a force of warrior citizens who are always ready to answer the call and deploy anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.

One of those warrior citizens is Master Sgt. Ricardo Calzadias, Assistant Inspector General, 85th U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, based in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

“I joined the United States Army Reserve because I always felt a calling to the military,” said Calzadias. “I actually joined the United States Navy and served on active duty before transferring to the United States Army Reserve.”

From a young age, Calzadias knew he wanted to join the military. It had always been his goal. During high school, with his family’s support, he joined the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

“The support my family has given me at the start of my career and continues to provide (me) is one of the main reasons I have served for over 17 years,” said Calzadias. “It’s a sense of duty and patriotism to serve my country.”

During his time in the military, Calzadias has served in various locations and roles, always with pride and a sense of belonging. Calzadias has served on numerous deployments, most notably in 2013 to Afghanistan as a counterintelligence agent, where he applied the skills he learned in school to a real-world mission.

“Seeing the impact we can have from a force protection standpoint, and what we were able to do to keep our Soldiers, partners, and allies safe was very rewarding for me,” said Calzadias.

“If you are thinking about joining the United States Army Reserve, I recommend you look at the Army values and compare them to your personal values to see if they are compatible,” said Calzadias. “Then, I suggest you read the Soldier’s Creed. If that’s something you believe you can adopt for yourself, I will say you’ll be a great fit for the U.S. Army Reserve.”