30th Medical Brigade Hosts Inaugural Best Squad Competition
by Staff Sgt. Daniel Yeadon
ANSBACH, Germany – Six squads from the 30th Medical Brigade competed in the brigade's Best Squad Competition, held Feb. 26 to March 1, 2024. The competition tested the squads' proficiency in basic soldier tasks, such as reacting to direct and indirect fire, marksmanship, and emergency medical and evacuation procedures.
The Delta Squad belonging to the 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), comprised of four Soldiers, won the enlisted competition. They will move on to compete in a joint competition at the 21st Theater Sustainment Command competition later this year.
"It feels great to win and represent our battalion,” said Sgt. Cooper Meiner, the Delta Squad leader. “Being able to do this with my squad has made me feel more confident in myself as a leader and I could not ask for a better group.”
Navy Commander Leads Latest NASA Space Station Mission
A Navy test pilot is leading the next set of astronauts to the International Space Station on NASA’s Crew-8 mission, which successfully launched recently after a few weather delays.
Cmdr. Matthew Dominick is serving as the commander of the expedition to the orbital laboratory. Liftoff occurred from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, according to a NASA release.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Endeavour, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket, was initially slated to launch sooner, but the mission was rescheduled twice due to unfavorable weather conditions.
U.S. Coast Guard Conduct Combined Patrol with Marshallese Partners under Operation Blue Pacific
MAJURO, Republic of the Marshall Islands — Following efforts with Kiribati partners, the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew recently concluded the next leg of their expeditionary patrol from Feb. 20 to 27, 2024, spending time in Majuro, Wotje Atoll, and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) working with partners, underscoring commitment to maritime security and international cooperation regionally.
Underway in support of Operation Blue Pacific, the cutter crew showcased the effectiveness of the U.S. and RMI maritime bilateral agreement, conducting a shared patrol with shipriders emphasizing collaborative efforts in maritime safety, security, and stewardship in terms of resource protection.
8th FW, Allies Participate in Maritime Strike Exercise
by Capt. Kaylin Hankerson
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Kingdom of Thailand (AFNS) --
U.S. Air Force 8th Fighter Wing aircraft and personnel recently participated in a maritime strike exercise scenario as a part of Joint Exercise Cobra Gold 24 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Kingdom of Thailand.
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron integrated with U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon, Royal Thai Air Force JAS-39s and Royal Thai Navy vessels to find, target and destroy simulated maritime targets in the Gulf of Thailand. Designed to test the interoperability of joint and multinational assets, the exercise scenario demonstrated the combined force’s readiness to operate throughout the region.
US Army Supports Romania's First PATRIOT Live-Fire Exercise
By Kristen Pittman
Romania made history, bolstering regional security and NATO’s southeastern flank, with the first live-fire test of its Patriot surface-to-air air defense system.
The Romanian Army’s 74th PATRIOT Regiment conducted the exercise at the Capu Midia Training Range with support from the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command and its Security Assistance Training Management Organization.
Both commands played significant roles in the advancement of Romania’s air defense capabilities, from facilitating Romania’s acquisition of the PATRIOT via foreign military sales to the training of hundreds of Romanian Army troops on the U.S. system.
“The two-day exercise consisted of four demonstrations.” said Maj. John Nastus, the lead for SATMO’s Romania PATRIOT Technical Assistance Field Team, or TAFT. “Our role for the exercise was to help plan and coordinate it. This included helping secure the targets and ensuring they had the equipment they needed, and that subject-matter-experts were on hand should anything happen.”
Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Arrives in the Philippines
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Sterett (DDG 104) arrived in the Philippines for a scheduled port visit in January.
This visit marks an additional demonstration of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance, and broader commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. It also serves to fortify relationships with local leaders and communities, reaffirming the seven-decade-old Alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines.
Port calls are part of the U.S. Navy’s routine operations, and CSG-1 is committed to maintaining that tradition to support operational readiness and regional partnerships.