Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the Latvian National Armed Forces conduct close air support training with U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 107th Fighter Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., at Grayling Aerial Gunnery Range in Waters, Mich., October 29, 2019. Michigan and Latvia have been linked under the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program since 1993.

March 17, 2021

Michigan National Guard think tank boosts Latvian partnership

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan National Guard opened the Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Detroit in September to help military planners find innovative solutions to diverse and complex problems affecting the warfighter.

A woman holds a small piece of equipment in one hand.

March 16, 2021

Northcom, Southcom Leaders Discuss Border, Hemispheric Security at Hearing

WASHINGTON — An increase in migrants coming across the southern border, threats to the Western Hemisphere by China, and solutions to those and other problems were discussed at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

Three Chadian Air Force personnel are the first Defense Language Institute English Language Center students to take advantage of the newest curriculum at DLIELC. This curriculum, pairing the latest virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology, aims to familiarize international students with English communications during aviation scenarios.

March 16, 2021

DLIELC state-of-the-art labs give international students authentic experience

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — Three Chadian Air Force personnel are the first Defense Language Institute English Language Center students to take advantage of the newest curriculum at DLIELC. This curriculum, pairing the latest virtual reality and artificial intelligence technology, aims to familiarize international students with English communications during aviation scenarios.

Service members gather around the rear opening of a combat vehicle.

March 10, 2021

Secretary of Defense's Trip to Asia to Focus on Strengthening Partnerships With Japan, Korea, India

PENTAGON — The Defense Department announced the first international trip by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who will visit three nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

DTRA Side-Steps COVID Challenges

March 10, 2021

DTRA Side-Steps COVID Challenges to Continue Support to International Partners

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) traditional “boots on the ground” approach to build security cooperation capacity with partner nations met with the unanticipated COVID-19 pandemic.

An Army infantry soldier poses in front of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

March 8, 2021

Women Peace and Security Program Builds International Capabilities

WASHINGTON — No nation can afford to ignore half its population. That's the premise of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on the Women Peace and Security program. It is good to remember this on International Women's Day.

U.S. Embassy Civil-Military Support Element Donates PPE for Frontline Workers

March 5, 2021

U.S. Embassy Civil-Military Support Element Donates PPE for Frontline Workers 

MONGOLIA — On March 5, 2021, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Gregory May and the Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) handed over a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Rapid Antigen Test Kits to the Deputy Minister of Health Dr. M. Battuvshin.

March 4, 2021

Bringing the SFAB Story to D.C.; 5th SFAB Participates in ACOET

WASHINGTON — A team of leaders from the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade travelled to Washington, D.C. Feb. 22-26 to take part in the Army Current Operations Engagement Tour, a program designed to provide a tactical perspective on how current operations are affecting national security objectives.

Military members of the Lebanese Armed Forces train on the operation and maintenance of their new "Family of Tactical Vehicles" trucks, after the Army Security Assistance Enterprise overcame pandemic restrictions, quality control and logistical challenges, to deliver ahead of schedule, 31 FMTV trucks to Lebanese Armed Forces.

March 4, 2021

FMTV trucks delivered to Lebanon

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — In the aftermath of the catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut in August 2020, members of the Army Security Assistance Enterprise team overcame significant pandemic-induced hurdles, along with quality control and transportation challenges, to deliver more than 30 military trucks to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

U.S. Army Col. Michael Lewczak (center), U.S. Army South assistant chief of staff for strategy, plans and policy, provides the closing remarks of the Operation Alamo Shield pre-deployment training seminar at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Feb. 25.

March 2, 2021

Army South, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade conclude Operation Alamo Shield Mission Prep

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — U.S. Army South hosted Operation Alamo Shield Mission Prep a pre-deployment training seminar, at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Feb. 23-25 to prepare teams assigned to the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade for future training and advising missions in Colombia, Honduras and Panama.

March 2, 2021

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers establishes permanent presence in Africa to support key missions on continent

ABUJA, Nigeria — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently established a permanent presence on the ground in Africa to oversee key U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) projects here.

Highlights Unbreakable U.S.–Australia Alliance

Feb. 25, 2021

Office of Defense Cooperation Chief Visits Australia’s Munitions Manufacturing Plant, Highlights Unbreakable U.S.–Australia Alliance

BENALLA, Australia — In an important step to strengthen the U.S.-Australia strategic defense relationship, U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Ingleton, the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation located within the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, observed bilateral cooperation in a munitions manufacturing project at the Benalla Munitions Manufacturing Plant in Victoria February 23.

A man in military uniform is briefed by another service member.

Feb. 24, 2021

Allies, Partners Critical to U.S. European Command

STUTTGART, Germany — U.S. European Command works closely with U.S. allies and partners to address evolving challenges posed by its adversaries to secure peace and to protect U.S. interests abroad, its commander said.

Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, U.S. Army South commanding general, provides opening remarks during the Operation Alamo Shield pre-deployment training conference Feb. 23 at Army South headquarters. The purpose of the conference is to prepare 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade personnel for future missions in Colombia, Honduras and Panama. The 1st SFAB is an elite U.S. Army unit specifically trained to advise and assist partner nation countries. The presence of the SFAB in Colombia, Honduras and Panama directly aligns with U.S. Army South priorities to counter threats alongside partner nations to defend our way of life.

Feb. 23, 2021

Army South, 1st SFAB begin pre-deployment training conference

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas — U.S. Army South kicked-off the Operation Alamo Shield pre-deployment training conference Feb. 23 at their headquarters to prepare 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade personnel for future missions in Colombia, Honduras and Panama.

Dr. Igor Linkov, senior science and technology manager at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, has been selected by the Department of Defense (DoD) as Laboratory Scientist of the Year for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. During that timeframe, Linkov led the development of a model series to predict DoD and Federal Emergency Management Agency COVID-19 mission-critical needs in multiple jurisdictions.(Photo by Igor Linkov)

Feb. 22, 2021

ERDC scientist earns top DoD award for achievements in risk, resilience science

VICKSBURG, Miss. — Dr. Igor Linkov, senior science and technology manager at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), was recently selected by the Department of Defense (DoD) as the Laboratory Scientist of the Year for the second quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Smiling man wears glasses and a blue shirt

Feb. 19, 2021

DCMA Europe “pricers” partner with host nations

WIESBADEN, Germany — “DCMA Europe is a unique experience, both personally and professionally,” said Richard Stohr, a contract price and cost analyst.

WHINSEC Instructor and former Colombian Army Senior Enlisted Advisor, CSM(RET) Argemiro Posso, briefs members of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (1SFAB) on criminal activity challenges affecting U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Area of Operations (AO). As part of the partnership between WHINSEC and 1SFAB, Institute's Partner Nation Instructors interact with 1SFAB teams in order prepare them for future engagements in the AO.

Feb. 19, 2021

Knowledge is Power

FORT BENNING, Ga. — During the week of 8 to 11 February 2021 selected Western Hemisphere PNIs conducted region familiarization with 1SFAB Soldiers at their training site on Kelly Hill.

Command Sgt. Maj. Trevor C. Walker speaks at the 34th cycle of the Conference of American Armies at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Feb. 9.

Feb. 18, 2021

Conference of American Armies focuses on NCO development, COVID-19

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — The 34th cycle of the Conference of American Armies, or CAA, focusing on non-commissioned officer education and COVID-19 lessons learned, was held Feb. 9-11 at U.S. Army South headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston as a hybrid in-person and virtual event due to pandemic restrictions.

Soldiers from the United States, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan work together to plan the multilateral exercise REGIONAL COOPERATION 21 in Helena, Montana, Feb. 3, 2021. Twelve representatives from Central Asian countries visited Montana for this initial planning conference.

Feb. 17, 2021

Foreign delegates visit Montana before U.S. CENTCOM event

HELENA, Mont. — Twelve foreign delegates from Central Asia visited Montana Feb. 1-5 to support an initial planning meeting for exercise REGIONAL COOPERATION 21 (RC21). The visiting delegates were from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

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Feb. 16, 2021

AMCOM selects head of Security Assistance Management Directorate

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama — As a young engineer, the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and ensure the U.S. military had the best systems and technologies available drew Larry Gunter to Army civilian service nearly three decades ago.

A US Army Soldier from 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armor Division, pulls security while stopped on a road during the first day of a situational training exercise, Jan. 30, 2021, for Iron Union 14 at Al Hamra Training Center in United Arab Emirates. Iron Union is a recurring exercise that expands partner capacity and supports security cooperation objectives in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

Feb. 13, 2021

A partnership story, the U.S. and the UAE

Southwest Asia — In the military we often hear the terms “interoperability,” “bilateral,” and “military-to-military” and don’t think much of them. Not because they hold no meaning—quite the opposite—but because they have become so familiar in our rhetoric that they have become commonplace. The truth is these words are familiar because they are foundational in

SFC Lilian Avalos Dielma, WHINSEC Medical Instructor from the Paraguayan Navy takes the temperature to Alférez Carol A Cácarez Lopez as part of the safety inprocessing of all incoming students. All incoming students go on a 14 day Restriction of Movement period upon their arrival to the WHINSEC.

Feb. 12, 2021

¡Bienvenidos a su Casa, WHINSEC!

FORT BENNING, Ga. — On Friday the first group of cadets from the Colombian Army arrived safely here at WHINSEC.

Feb. 10, 2021

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana

WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana held an introductory phone call during which they discussed a number of priority of bilateral defense issues for both countries.

Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath (left), Army South commanding general, and Lt. Gen. Marcos de Sá Affonso da Costa (right), chief of training, Land Forces Training Command, Exército Brasileiro, signs a technical arrangement between the Brazilian Army and the U.S. Army as represented by Army South concerning Brazilian participation in combined training exercise in conjunction with Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 21-04 at Fort Polk, Louisiana, Feb. 1.

Feb. 10, 2021

Brazilian, U.S. military leaders emphasize partnerships at JRTC

FORT POLK, Louisiana — Senior U.S. military leaders including Adm. Craig S. Faller, U.S. Southern Command commander, Gen. Michael X. Garrett, U.S. Army Forces Command commander, Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, U.S. Army South commander, and Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, 82nd Airborne Division commander, met senior Brazilian military leaders Feb. 1-2 at the Joint Readiness Training Center and conducted key leader engagements marking the significance of the bilateral training exercise.

Regional Health Command Europe recently conducted its first-ever ‘virtual’ Global Health Engagement with their Polish military medical counterparts. The two-day virtual event was held Feb. 3-4 and consisted of briefings and presentations by subject matter experts from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.

Feb. 9, 2021

Regional Health Command Europe conducts Global Health Engagement with Polish military medical counterparts

SEMBACH, Germany — Regional Health Command Europe recently conducted its first-ever ‘virtual’ Global Health Engagement with their Polish military medical counterparts. The two-day virtual event was held Feb. 3-4 and consisted of briefings and presentations by subject matter experts from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.