Air Force

NORFOLK, VIRIGIA – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 23, after being deployed for more than seven months to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Africa and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command areas of operation.

Cole deployed for 224 days to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Gulf, providing deterrence and defense to U.S. Allies and partners.

The ship served as an air defense unit for strike group forces in the Red Sea and worked closely with Allies and partners during a variety of missions, contributing to stability in the region.

“I am proud of the determined warriors of Cole for continuing this ship’s legacy of outstanding service during a challenging combat deployment,” said Cmdr. Matt Faulkenberry, Commanding Officer USS Cole. “Cole demonstrated professionalism and lethality across all domains.”

Cole supported ballistic missile operations in the Levant region, firing interceptors alongside USS Bulkeley on Oct. 1. Additionally, Cole was engaged in combat operations in the Red Sea, earning a star on the ship’s Combat Action Ribbon.

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

NAVEUR-NAVAF, headquartered in Naples, Italy, operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

BURLINGTON, Vt. — It’s not every day a member of the Vermont Air National Guard walks the halls of the White House, let alone shares a moment with the First Lady of the United States. For Tech. Sgt. Hayden Lessor of the 158th Fighter Wing, that moment became reality when he represented Vermont and the VTANG at the annual Joining Forces event.

The event, launched in 2011, was hosted by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and celebrates military families, caregivers and survivors, while addressing critical challenges in employment, education, and wellness.

Lessor was selected in recognition for his dedication to service which also highlighted the Vermont National Guard’s commitment to supporting military families.

“It was a tremendous honor to be selected by the Vermont Air National Guard,” Lessor said. “Representing the Vermont Guard has been an even greater privilege. Knowing that the dedication and hard work I’ve put in have been recognized at the highest level is deeply rewarding.”

The Joining Forces initiative reflects the values Vermonters hold dear: community, service, and resilience. With a focus on employment, education and wellness, the program addresses challenges faced by service members and their families — challenges that are often felt keenly in Vermont, where many guard members balance civilian careers, military duties and family responsibilities.

The event itself featured a vibrant holiday atmosphere, complete with festive decorations and live music. One of the most memorable moments for Lessor was when his 5-year-old son, joined Dr. Biden on stage during her address.

“Seeing him standing near her will remain a cherished memory for my family,” Lessor said.

As part of the Joining Forces initiative, Lessor engaged in discussions highlighting the challenges and strengths of military families.

“Conversations with other attendees highlighted the shared purpose among Army and Air components, and the camaraderie was truly heartwarming,” he said.

The initiative’s goal of fostering community connections resonates deeply in Vermont, where the guard plays an integral role in supporting both its members and the broader community.

Lessor reflected on the importance of the initiative’s focus areas, saying, “Employment provides stability for our families, child education ensures the next generation is better equipped, and maintaining overall well-being is foundational to our success.”

For Vermont’s Guard members, who often live in close-knit towns, these priorities are especially vital.

Beyond the celebration, Lessor emphasized the value of recognition within the military.

“Awards like ‘NCO of the Year’ open incredible doors,” he said. “This opportunity at the White House not only celebrated my work but also reinforced the importance of striving for excellence.”

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Katie McCool, Pacific Air Forces command chief, toured Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 17, 2024.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss the welfare and readiness of Airmen during an all-call, recognize Airmen for their outstanding performance, and assess facilities and equipment conditions.

During the all-call, McCool and 18th Wing senior noncommissioned officers discussed the safety and responsibility of utilizing mission command for better equipment and facilities and quality of life for Airmen.

“I’m thinking about my own children and the way we treat our Airmen,” said McCool. “I have a responsibility to advocate for Airmen, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can.”

During the tour, McCool coined eight Airmen from different groups across Kadena for outstanding achievements and service:

Tech. Sgt. Thao Chau, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron unit deployment manager

Tech. Sgt. Jaqulyn Payne, 718th CES noncommissioned officer in charge of unaccompanied housing

Staff Sgt. Nikki Sanders, 18th Dental Squadron dental readiness manager

Staff Sgt. Courtney Smith, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician

Staff Sgt. Victor Gould, 18th Wing safety craftsman

Senior Airman Derek Stewart, 525th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron F-22 decentralized materiel support journeyman

Senior Airman Eduardo Torres, 18th Security Forces Squadron law enforcement patrolman

Airman 1st Class Alayya Algere, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment apprentice

In addition, McCool also toured the facilities of Kadena. Airman dorm leaders discussed with McCool the conditions of the buildings and funding.

“It was an amazing feeling to be recognized for the work that my team and I do every day,” said Payne. “It’s crucial for leadership to understand the living conditions of service members and I am confident that we were able to highlight that.”

Overall, the visit addressed some of the hurdles Airmen are facing with facilities and equipment, and gave Airmen an opportunity to discuss welfare and readiness.

[This article was first published in Army Sustainment Professional Bulletin, which was then called Army Logistician, volume 2, number 4 (July–August 1970), pages 8–11.

The text is reproduced as faithfully as possible to enable searchability. To view any images and charts in the article, refer to the issue itself, available on DVIDS and the bulletin’s archives at asu.army.mil/alog/.]

THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) is about to receive some 2,500 pages of documentation, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of America’s worldwide logistics support of U.S. ground, naval, and air forces.

Authorized by the President and reporting jointly to the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Joint Logistics Review Board (JLRB) has been accumulating massive amounts of information on how the United States has supplied its own troops, the troops of friendly forces, and the military forces of the Republic of Vietnam with materiel necessary to pursue the fight against the Communist Vietnamese successfully.

Board Established

The Secretary of Defense recommended to President Richard Nixon the establishment of a logistics study group of this kind. The recommendation gained Presidential approval and the JLRB was formally established 1 March 1969. The Board was tasked to study the worldwide logistics support provided from 1 January 1965 to the present—the period commonly called the “Vietnam era.” The primary concern of the Board was to identify strengths and weaknesses of the various logistics systems and procedures of the armed services. It was to document the logistics “lessons learned” from the Vietnam experience and analyze those that might have significant effect on future military operations.

The JLRB is composed of a panel of military logisticians, men who—to a great extent—have firsthand knowledge of logistics support activities in Southeast Asia. Applying this cumulative knowledge to the analysis and interpretation of the data accumulated results in realistic, practical recommendations anticipated for improving the overall logistics system.

To understand what the Board is and what it is doing, its role might be further clarified by stating what it is not. The JLRB has no punitive mission or motivations. It is not attempting to resurrect logistics errors, misjudgments, or mistakes. It is not interested in pointing a finger at any individual failures that might have occurred. Instead, it is interested in discovering the weaknesses inherent in the systems used to supply and maintain operations in Southeast Asia. By the same token, the JLRB is dedicated to the task of discovering better and more economical ways to supply and maintain operations of this kind, not only in Southeast Asia but wherever American troops might be deployed. Board recommendations will have no impact on current logistics plans, policies, operations, or procedures until such time as the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have studied and approved them.

Responsive Logistics

While it is readily acknowledged that the logistics efforts in Southeast Asia have been both massive and costly, it is equally true that the logistics efforts have been consistently responsive in that the American and friendly forces fighting there have been the best supplied and maintained fighting men in history. Underlying this record capacity to provide what is needed, where it is needed, when it is needed are innovative logistics strengths. The Board wants to identify and determine how to perpetuate these strengths while eliminating the inherent weaknesses encountered.

It can be safely said that once the 6,000 or more pages of raw data have been assayed, the Board’s recommendations will carry as their main thrust how this nation’s logistics capability can be applied more effectively and more economically in future contingency operations.

In the 15-month period that the Board has been accumulating, analyzing, and evaluating data, four specific areas of study have already resulted in recommendations to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. The first JLRB recommendation was forwarded on 28 October 1969. The most recent came on 16 February 1970. These four along with the remaining recommendations will form one of the three volumes currently planned for the Board’s total study and recommendations.

The October recommendation of the JLRB dealt with the redeployment of logistics personnel from Vietnam as part of the President’s overall troop withdrawal and Vietnamization program. The Board recommended a slow, careful, orderly phasedown of logistics personnel. It urged the retention of sufficient logistics forces and related capabilities to insure the recovery and maintenance of assets now employed in Vietnam. Citing the extreme waste which occurred following earlier wars—particularly World War II—because of the haste in which forces were withdrawn from combat areas, the Board called for a policy that would allow assets to be recovered in suitable condition for continued use or for retention in war reserve stocks.

In November 1969, the Board reported favorably on a study of port operations made by the Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service. The Board was impressed with the potential hard-dollar savings and increased operating efficiency of terminals and ocean shipping that may be realized through use of predesignated ports. In addition, the Board noted in its memorandum that oversea commands could enjoy better service through receipt of consolidated shipments and that the overall order and shipping time could be reduced with significant savings in the cost of the pipeline.

In December 1969, it forwarded a memorandum stating intention to report favorably on U.S. Air Force efforts to improve its mobility and ability to respond promptly to contingency requirements in a bare base environment. This memorandum resulted from the Board’s viewing an Air Force demonstration of prefabricated, packaged, recoverable structures that allowed operations to commence rapidly from a previously “bare” area.

The most recent interim recommendation was submitted by the JLRB on 16 February 1970. At the invitation of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installation and Logistics), the Board reviewed and commented on the General Accounting Office’s (GAO) investigation of the inspection, distribution, and transportation of petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) in Southeast Asia.

The GAO recommended establishing a Defense-wide centralization of responsibility for POL operations. The JLRB disagreed with that portion of the GAO report. Having reviewed in depth all aspects of the effectiveness and economy of defense POL operations during the Vietnam era, the Board concluded that requirements determination and the ownership and management of reserve and operating stocks should properly remain vested in the military departments. The Board concurred, however, with GAO recommendations for clarifying division of responsibilities, strengthening authority to discharge responsibility, developing compatible procedures to interface between the uniformed services and the Defense Supply Agency, and establishing a field assistance capability under the Defense Fuel Supply Center (DFSC) to provide continuing appraisal of effectiveness and economy of DOD POL operations.

Report Contents

Subjects treated in the already-published recommendations of the JLRB form a part of what is anticipated to be appendixes to the main report—monographs on selected functional and commodity areas of the Southeast Asia logistics effort. The major contents of the JLRB report are expected to consist of—

• Scenario of the Vietnam conflict.

• Logistics posture at the start of the buildup.

• Responsibilities and logistics systems of the services.

• Effectiveness and responsiveness of support.

• Impact on readiness worldwide.

• Strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned.

• Recommendations.

In its published form, the Board’s findings are currently expected to fill some 2,500 pages, organized into three separate volumes and several monographs. While the task of consolidating so broad and complex a study into three volumes staggers the imagination, that task is dwarfed by the earlier task of accumulating and processing of data during the earlier months of evaluation and analysis.

Helping the 8 Board members collect, analyze, and evaluate that mountain of information are 102 review staff and 170 administrative personnel.

The 102-member review staff, composed of 91 officers and 11 civilians, represents the following services: Army-30; Navy-27; Marine Corps-19; Air Force-21; and DSA-5. Administrative personnel, composed of 4 officers, 19 enlisted personnel, and 47 civilians includes: Army-24; Navy-18; Marine Corps-2; Air Force-20; and DSA-6.

In-depth Research

One of the first actions of the Board was to elicit field responses by sending letters directly to approximately 200 recipients. It also spent 268 hours in 112 briefings presented by commodity managers, auditors, and contractors, members of the General Accounting Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the individual services.

When the data was refined, six major issues emerged requiring resolution. Briefly stated, these issues are:

• Realistic planning for logistics support of contingencies.

• Responsive requirements determination, program authorization, and funding control processes.

• Reduction of in-theater logistics operations.

• Adaptable management systems and controls for transition from peace to war.

• Rational concepts of interservice support, common supply, and services.

• Force structure and training to insure logistics readiness of both combat and support personnel.

In June and July, when the Board has completed its assigned task and the final pages have run through the press, there may be an expression of disappointment among some within the logistics community if they expected recommendations for sweeping changes, radical new procedures, and extensive reorganizations. The JLRB had no such mission—per se.

In some future emergency, in some unexpected location, Americans may gratefully acknowledge that, because of the timely and monumental effort of these men and women, this Nation is able to mount and sustain a logistics operation which spells the difference between defeat and victory.

America’s First Corps serves as the U.S. Army’s primary executor of Operation Pathways working with Allies and partners across a vast Indo-Pacific driving readiness in this complex region.

As a campaigning initiative, Operation Pathways reflects the U.S. Army’s broader objective of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Each year, Pathways can result anywhere from 30-40 major exercises spanning across more than 10 countries working in various training locations, environments and time zones.

Due to the demands and requirements to accomplish mission success, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord-based command calls upon the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard respectively to support such a vital mission with national security implications.

Most recently, this level of integration was on full display during Yama Sakura 87, the trilateral scenario-driven command post exercise held each year in Japan.

U.S. Army Reserve units across the world were brought together to support, sustain and protect elements across Japan during the concurrent Yama Sakura 87 and Warfighter 25-02 exercise, elevating the combined joint effort with their partners in First Corps and across Allied forces in the Australian Army and Japan Ground Self Defense-Force.

First Corps understands the importance and value the Army’s Reserve and National Guard components offer to increase capacity and capabilities to Pathways exercises like Yama Sakura, and they depend on the unique skill sets these formations and Soldiers bring to the table.

“We have five mission support commands just supporting America’s First Corps for this mission,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Carol Balderas, the Army Reserve Affairs Senior Enlisted Advisor at First Corps. “Of that, there are upwards of 324, plus or minus, that are participating in this Operation Pathways exercise.”

Sgt. Maj. Balderas continued, stating this number represents U.S. Army Reservists assigned from the 200th MP Command, Army Reserve Civil Affairs personnel, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, as well as several Main Command Post-Operational Detachments brought to improve logistics, operations and communication with interpreters working with Japanese counterparts.

“Being able to integrate the COMPO 3, the Army Reserve Soldiers, into Pathways allows the Soldiers to apply those critical thinking skills firsthand with their Active Component counterparts and they learn from them,” stated Balderas.

One of these Soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Naohau Tsuboi, who serves as an interpreter assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command Japan Detachment, was a vital part of mission success helping coordinate efforts between key players and functions in the exercise by translating briefs, meetings and documents.

“I was born and raised in Japan, so I understand the Japanese culture,” said Tsuboi. “But I spent a long time in the states of course, and now I’m an American citizen so I understand the American culture as well.”

Tsuboi reflected how his experiences across both walks of life improved coordination and planning functions in the face of language barriers, and helped facilitate cultural exchanges between each nation’s forces.

“I’m always excited to talk about the mutual cooperation, the mutual understanding,” said Tsuboi. “Especially, I’m excited that I can help them [U.S. and Japanese] service members understand each other – that’s the biggest part I enjoy.”

It is not just the U.S. Army components that employed these reserve forces to support Yama Sakura. Military reservists from the U.S. Navy were brought out to help coordinate efforts to make the training as realistic as possible.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Andrew Thornburg, a reserve anti-submarine officer with 7th Fleet, acted as a liaison officer during the exercises, working with components across the Japan Ministry of Defense, Australian Defence Force, and U.S. personnel, to contextualize the realities of coordination in large-scale operations in the Indo-Pacific during the exercise.

“We brought people with expertise in sustainment, we brought people with expertise in surface operations,” Thornburg said. “Several of us are submarine experts and know maritime planning. Of course, we have the air component as well, so we brought some pilots out. They were extremely helpful.”

For several of these reservists, Yama Sakura 87 and Warfighter 25-02 provided the first opportunity for them to serve beyond the United States’ border bringing a unique experience to their Army experience and personal fulfillment.

For U.S. Army Spc. Alvin Corado, a military policeman assigned to U.S. Army Reserve’s 396th Military Police Detachment, this was a unique opportunity to support efforts at Camp Asaka, Japan.

“This is my first time being out [of] the country,” Corado said. “Working with different countries and how they establish their work has been an amazing experience.”

Corado’s patrol partner, Spc. Cole Schuymanski, share similar sentiments when speaking about his experiences during the exercise.

“The best part is just getting to work with our Japanese and Australian Allies,” reflected Schuymanski. “Getting to work with our policing, getting to work with our dialog, seeing the differences on their methods.”