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Source: United States Army

ANSBACH, Germany — U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach offered an in-depth overview of the U.S. Army’s approach to family support for representatives of the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) Family Care Organization during a community outreach event at the garrison’s Storck Barracks in May 2026.

The visiting group included 55 directors and staff from the Bundeswehr, which operates 32 full-time Family Care Centers and up to 50 part-time Family Care Points throughout Germany.

This event introduced the U.S. Army Family Support System to its German counterparts, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration in supporting military families.

German Lt. Col. Danila Dubrau, head of the Lead Family Care Center at the Bundeswehr Operations Command, pointed out that while there are things the two militaries may do differently, taking care of Soldiers and families is the same.

“We have the same goal: to take care of our families, and by doing that, we make sure their Soldier is able to concentrate on the mission,” Dubrau said.

Family assistance remains a major focus for the German army, particularly as it establishes garrison-style bases in Eastern Europe.

The Lithuania Brigade, a panzer brigade officially commissioned in April 2025 in Lithuania, represents a permanent Bundeswehr combat unit of about 5,000 personnel, strengthening NATO’s defense posture in Eastern Europe.

With the unit’s formation, Germany now maintains a permanently deployed brigade, increasing the likelihood of more troops serving abroad.

The establishment of Armored Brigade 45, the official designation of the Lithuania Brigade, is a top priority for the German government, according to Dr. Jörg Krämer of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, who said this applies “not only to military matters but also to issues concerning family support.”

The delegation from the German family care organizations visited USAG Ansbach to learn from and exchange best practices with the garrison’s family care experts.

Those experts have more than 80 years of institutional experience supporting Soldiers families in Europe.

The U.S. Army is committed to continuously enhancing the quality and reach of services that support its families and, by extension, its Soldiers.

“It’s about how we take care of our Soldiers and their families when the soldiers are on extended training missions or deployed,” said Bruce Griggs, USAG Ansbach Deputy to the Garrison Commander.

The orientation tour and exchange with the Bundeswehr’s family care organization underscore the importance of international cooperation in supporting military families.

Source: United States Army

WASHINGTON — To support Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s “peace through strength” priorities, at a recent AUSA coffee series speaking event, an Army leader outlined how the service built its $253 billion budget request for fiscal year 2027, which includes investments in housing, training and recruiting.

Army Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, the service’s budget director, said the proposal centers on three lines of effort:

• Modernizing through the continuous transformation initiative, expediting how the service fights, equips and trains, while getting new technologies into the hands of Soldiers.
• Delivering combat-ready forces, including investments in next-generation weapons systems.
• Strengthening the profession, investing in quality-of-life improvements for Soldiers and their Families.

To deliver combat-ready forces while aligning with the War Department’s priority to rebuild the military, the Army’s proposal includes $7.3 billion for munitions expansion, $3.8 billion for its organic industrial base and $1.3 billion for warfighter end-strength growth.

Army vehicles currently in development include the XM-30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, the Army’s replacement for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the M1E3 Abrams, and the service’s next-generation battle tank.

Lisa Salazar, who attended the event from the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said the next steps for the XM-30 and M1E3 will be to finish the prototype stage and begin fielding pilot programs. The Army recently revealed its first M1E3 prototype at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year.

McElwain noted that technology is changing exponentially faster than ever before.

“We can’t control the pace of which that’s happening, but we can try to keep up,” she said. “So, as we deliver combat-ready forces, we’re trying to make sure the budget ensures that units are properly equipped and trained.”

The Army plans to add 18,300 Soldiers, raising its total personnel by 5.3%. The increase includes 15,000 active-duty troops and another 3,300 National Guard members. The service also proposed a 5 to 7% pay raise for Soldiers, earmarked $2.5 billion for recruiting and retention efforts and requested a 9.6% increase for operations and maintenance.

The Army proposed spending $295 million for increased essential combat unit training and $432 million for critical repair parts.

McElwain said improving housing for Soldiers aligns with the War Department’s priority of restoring the warrior ethos by allowing Soldiers to focus on the mission.

The service will invest $4 billion in family housing, child development centers and quality-of-life improvements, and an additional $2.9 billion will go toward barracks upgrades.

“Investment in Soldiers also means investment in families,” McElwain said, adding that the foundation of the Soldiers starts with ensuring their families are cared for.

One significant funding increase is 12.9% toward research, development, test and transformation, including the development of the Army’s next-generation command and control. McElwain said NGC2 will provide layers of technology, including data, infrastructure, applications and transport — giving commanders a wider view of multiple platforms and domains.

Finally, regarding the War Department’s priority of reestablishing deterrence, the Army plans to spend $1.1 billion to defend the southern border, $1.9 billion on counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and invest in a nuclear energy resilience program.

“It really is a budget that strategically balances present readiness with what we need for future dominance,” McElwain said.

Source: United States Army

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — After a winter marked by record-low snowpack and persistent drought, the Colorado Army National Guard is shifting its focus from seasonal support to a year-round mission to help fight the state’s growing wildfire threat.

During a March 30 press conference held by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, state officials said the past winter’s lack of moisture left Colorado’s forests and grasslands dangerously dry and ready to burn much earlier than usual.

Mike Morgan, director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, said these conditions are no longer rare.

“These are conditions that we used to think were unprecedented or anomalies, and the reality of it is it’s happening every year,” Morgan said during a recent state press briefing. “It is not unprecedented. It is our new normal.”

To prepare for that reality, the Colorado Army National Guard recently joined the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the city of Longmont and local fire teams from Boulder for the annual Colorado Fire Aviation Summit. The Guard’s firefighting program is fully certified by the Forest Service, providing federally validated skills to support the state’s emergency response.

A major focus of the training involved using helicopters to drop water on simulated active fire lines. The difference in aircraft capability is significant: A heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook helicopter can carry 2,000 gallons of water, while a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter can carry 660 gallons.

To support upcoming missions, the Colorado Army National Guard will prioritize a team of two Chinooks and a mobile refueling team. While Black Hawk helicopters are available for short-term in-state fire response, their primary mission is high-altitude search and rescue.

Lighter UH-72 Lakota helicopters are also on standby to direct aerial traffic in and around restricted areas during large fires and move crews and equipment for up to a week at a time.

“Our collaborative aerial firefighting training with civilian and interstate partners is designed to ensure our air and ground crews are prepared to protect our communities from wildfires,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Muriel Missler, director of aviation and safety. “This rigorous training not only enables safe and effective operations in Colorado’s challenging environments but also enhances our combat aviation skills and planning capabilities.”

The Colorado Army National Guard is prepared to sustain potential high-intensity operations for about two weeks at a time. If a fire lasts longer, backup support may be requested from other states to ensure there are no gaps in coverage.

The urgency of that coordination was highlighted by Polis, who said state-managed aircraft had already dropped nearly 200,000 gallons of fire suppressant in the first four months of the year.

“We talked about the increase in the number of fire events that are likely,” Polis said during the briefing. “It makes a big difference whether there’s 4,000 or whether there’s 8,000 in a given year. This year looks like it could be closer to 8,000.”

In the event of a wildfire, the Colorado Army National Guard’s ability to integrate with local, state and federal partners is a critical advantage for Coloradans. As the state moves deeper into the year, this collaborative, year-round approach helps ensure Colorado’s aerial firefighting capabilities are ready to respond when the next fire ignites.

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