Army

Washington D.C. – The Association of the U.S. Army’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Exposition was a resounding success, with record numbers from international allies and partners.
Throughout the conference, the message was clear — the U.S. Army is committed to innovating and winning at the pace of change.

This year’s theme, “Agile, Adaptive, Lethal — Winning at the Pace of Change,” resonated with attendees as the convention showcased the latest technologies, modernization efforts, and direction for advanced development. Innovation is at the core of our agile partnerships with industry and our allies.

Mr. Patrick Mason, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation, joined his peers from across industry, government, and acquisition to discuss how we are streamlining processes to transform capability deliver. He highlighted the importance and impact of agile partnerships to our collective strength, and emphasized how co-production, co-development, and co-assembly are at the center of Army transformation.

“When they [the U.S. Army and international partners] come to these types of events, they get to see the tremendous technology capability of manufacturing that not only is in the United States, but globally as well,” Mason said. “This really facilitates great discussion between nations on how we work together on our collective defense industrial bases to meet the security needs that we see globally.”

The Security Cooperation panel underscored the importance of agile partnerships as critical components of collective security and advancing innovative technology. Discussion amongst the panelists highlighted how vital these partnerships are for the health of the U.S. defense industrial base.

“Demand is at an all-time high for partnership with the United States – demand for our goods and services, defense articles or training,” said Mike Miller, Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). “Execution against that demand has also been at unprecedented levels.”

AUSA showcased a wide range of innovation across the convention center’s exhibit halls. This year’s event was particularly notable for the prominence of unmanned and counter- unmanned systems, with demonstrations spanning ground, air, and cross-domain applications.

“When you walk around AUSA and you look at all of the displays and you talk to all of the people that are here, the first thing that stands out is the absolute American innovation that is occurring right now,” Dak Hardwick, Vice President of International Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association, acknowledged. “The world is operating at an incredible speed, and what we see with the innovative products that you see on the floor here is the opportunity for the American aerospace and defense industry to be part of the innovation sector for the future.”

Brigadier General Allen Pepper, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), highlighted the crucial “need to deliver the capability at the time of need, and that’s something we are absolutely hearing clearly and getting after together.”

The panelists connected on a common theme — shared responsibility and accelerated delivery of critical capabilities, quickly and effectively — improving the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process and reforming acquisition to allow manufacturers to deliver capabilities faster. Mr. Mason noted that he had been working to look at how the Army handles acquisition and how “acquisition and FMS and security assistance are absolutely linked and tied together.” They acknowledged just how quickly the threat and technology are evolving, and how vital partnering with allies is to develop, field, and sustain modern equipment to maintain a competitive edge.

“While we have some wonderful ideas here in the United States and we’re strengthening our defense industrial base, let’s face it, our allies and partners have some good ideas as well,” said LTG (Ret.) Charles Hooper, who was the former director of DSCA. “By partnering with them to facilitate co-production and co-development, we get to take advantage of them. We get to increase our value, value proposition, and we get to take advantage of the synergy that comes from a collective effort to address a challenging issue.”

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DEC) leads the U.S. Army Security Assistance Enterprise (ASAE), serving as the Army’s partner- focused leader for strategic security cooperation. DASA DEC’s mission is to manage the Army’s Security Assistance and Armaments Cooperation programs, which are designed to engage allies and partners across the full spectrum of Army acquisition to achieve readiness, modernization and interoperability goals.

KALAELOA, HAWAII – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Roy J. Macaraeg, the Senior Military Advisor for the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Army, Military Personnel and Quality of Life, Assistant Secretary of Army, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (ASA M&RA), commemorates military service during his retirement ceremony at Kalaeloa, Hawaii, Dec. 19, 2025.

“How does a kid from Kalihi, against all probability, become a two-star general in the United States Army,” Macaraeg asked during his remarks. “My journey is a testament that only in this country, the United States of America, is a story like mine even possible.”

Macaraeg’s military career, spanning more than 35 years, began in 1990, when he enlisted with the 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment (1-487th FA), 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (29th IBCT). In 2004, Macaraeg deployed with the 1-487th FA in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and became the 29th IBCT commander in 2017.

“Roy has been a great leader and friend, from his deployment to Kuwait in 2005 to 2006, where he commanded under tough conditions, to his time at the Pentagon shaping policies that helped strengthen not only the Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG), but the National Guard nationwide,” stated Retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi Jr.

Outside of the HIARNG, Macaraeg began his career at the National Guard Bureau as an Operations Research Analyst and went on to hold various positions serving the Army National Guard.

“Moreover, his commitment to supporting Soldiers shines through in the assistance and warm welcome he has extended to Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers wishing to serve a tour in the National Guard Bureau,” mentioned Kaoiwi.

Despite all of his accomplishments, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Stephen F. Logan, the State of Hawaii Adjutant General, emphasized that his greatest legacy is his investment in the people.

“For decades, Roy answered the call, not seeking recognition, but embracing responsibility,” emphasized Logan. “From his earliest assignments, to the senior leadership roles he would later assume, he demonstrated calm judgement in uncertainty, firmness in decision making, and genuine concern for the Soldiers entrusted to his command.”

Throughout his career, Macaraeg had the opportunity to work with and impact Soldiers from all over the HIARNG, the Pentagon and on numerous deployments.

“I have seen courage and dedication in its purest form in Soldiers who showed up every day, even when it was hard and no one was watching,” mentioned Macaraeg.

Many have spoken on Macaraeg’s ability to lead by example from the start of his career to the position he retired from.

“He developed leaders, strengthened readiness and ensured that the Army National Guard remained a force that is trained, equipped and ready, always prepared to respond at home and abroad,” stated Logan. “Roy, you leave behind not just a distinguished record, but a stronger institution and inspired leaders ready to carry the mission forward.”

At the end of it all, Macaraeg dedicated his accomplishments and leadership to the Soldiers and their families.

“I was trusted with our Soldiers’ lives, their families and their futures,” Macaraeg mentioned. “That was a sacred responsibility I never took lightly.”

As the ceremony concluded, Macaraeg left the HIARNG with full faith in its leaders.

“I leave knowing the National Guard and the Army are in extraordinary hands,” declared Macaraeg. “The next generation of leaders is ready, not because they are perfect, but because they are principled in their character, resilient in spirit and unwavering in their devotion to our great nation.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — From the quiet moments when Soldiers line the streets to honor a fallen service member to the steady presence of uniformed Guardsmen supporting city agencies, the District of Columbia currently has approximately 2,400 Soldiers and Airmen from across the country who continue to play a pivotal role in the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission.

Their daily actions across the city reflect the core principles of the National Security Strategy, which emphasize national resilience, trusted institutions and strong interagency partnerships as essential components of security.

Much of that work happens shoulder-to-shoulder with the Metropolitan Police Department and other agencies. Whether standing patrols in high-traffic areas or maintaining situational awareness in tactical operations centers, service members demonstrate the NSS principle of integrated deterrence—security achieved through relationships, shared awareness and unified effort.

“What our Soldiers are doing here is more than security,” said U.S. Army Col. Larry Doane, JTF–DC commander. “They’re building relationships—across agencies, across neighborhoods, across the whole city. That’s exactly what resilience looks like in practice.”

Community engagement is another dimension of the mission’s NSS-driven impact. During preparations for the annual D.C. Toy Ruck, National Guard members worked closely with the MPD and city partners to ensure the safety of more than 700 expected participants. The collaboration underscored how civic events can strengthen trust, enhance community cohesion and reinforce public confidence in institutions—an outcome central to the NSS focus on strengthening America’s social fabric.

The mission’s most solemn moments also resonate deeply with the NSS commitment to reinforcing democratic institutions and honoring national service. On Nov. 27, 2025, hundreds of National Guard members and first responders lined the streets of Washington during an honor escort for U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia National Guard.

“The procession, while difficult for all of us, captured the enduring purpose of the force,” Doane said. “That procession reminded all of us why we serve. It strengthened our bond with the community and with one another. That unity—the trust built between citizens and those who protect them—is the foundation of national security.”

Senior leaders have maintained a strong presence across mission sites to reinforce morale and recognize service members’ contributions. Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, interim commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, visited Soldiers and Airmen in the field, at family program events and during operational updates.

“These engagements reflect how the mission strengthens both readiness and relationships,” Blanchard said. “The National Security Strategy calls for resilient communities and adaptive forces. When our Soldiers support local agencies, when they connect with families, when they help stabilize neighborhoods—that’s resilience in action.”

Support for the force also extends to spiritual and emotional readiness, which the NSS identifies as essential to sustaining an effective national defense. Chaplains from the D.C. National Guard and the U.S. Secret Service recently conducted a daylong assessment of spiritual-support needs at the D.C. Armory and Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling.

“Collaboration elevates our ability to care for the people who safeguard the nation,” said U.S. Army Maj. Edward D. Lartey, JTF–DC command chaplain. “Spiritual readiness is national readiness, and it ensures our service members are grounded, focused and emotionally equipped to carry out their mission with integrity—no matter the circumstances.”

Across the mission footprint, Guardsmen continue to gain real-world experience that strengthens the force. From engineer battalions conducting 24-hour operations and Soldiers standing guard at critical facilities to Airmen supporting transportation missions through local installations, every element of the mission reflects what the NSS describes as a modern, integrated force prepared for complex challenges. Even seemingly small moments—leaders conducting battlefield circulation, public affairs specialists documenting operations, or noncommissioned officers mentoring junior troops—reinforce the readiness and cohesion the NSS identifies as foundational to national stability.

As the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission continues, leaders say its success lies in the shared commitment of service members and community partners alike.

“The mission stands as a model for coordinated security,” Doane said. “The National Security Strategy reminds us that security is shared. No single agency can do it alone. The success of this mission belongs to every Soldier, every Airman, every partner agency and every community member who works with us to protect the capital.”

Blanchard agreed, noting that the mission’s impact is both local and national.

“We are Capital Guardians,” he said. “Supporting this city is both our responsibility and our honor. Every action we take contributes to a safer District and a stronger nation. Our commitment to the people of Washington and to our partners will remain steadfast.”

LATHAM, New York –Members of the New York National Guard who served on State Active Duty in New York City following the destruction of the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, can now register for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs World Trade Center Benefits Program with information provided online.

This state-funded pension benefit is designed to compensate Guard members who developed a 9/11 related illness since the attacks that day on Sept. 11, 2001.

The extension of a pension benefit to 9/11 responders suffering from qualified health conditions was approved by the legislature and added to New York State Military Law in 2023.

Survivors of Guard personnel who die as a result of a 9/11-related condition may also be be eligible for benefits.

These benefits also apply to members of the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard –the state’s two state defense forces– who responded to the attacks.

Submitting the Application for World Trade Center Notice preserves the individual’s right to file a claim in the future and waives no legal rights

Registering preserves your right to file a claim in the future and waives no legal rights. A service member does not have to be sick to apply.

The deadline for filing this application is Sept. 11, 2026.

Instructions and documents required to file for this benefit, or to submit the application of notice, can be found online at https://dmna.ny.gov/911/.

More than 12,000 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia, and the New York Guard were part of the state response to the attacks between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 11, 2002.

Service members who were on State Active Duty and involved in rescue, recovery or cleanup operations at the World Trade Center site, or in what is termed the New York City Exposure Zone, between those two dates, are eligible to apply to the program.

Current and former members of the National Guard, Naval Militia and New York Guard, who responded to the 9/11 attacks, who are ill, are potentially eligible for benefits.

The maximum benefit is three-quarters of the annual State Active Duty pay the individual is authorized to receive by law.

The 2023 law provides a presumption that, if an individual becomes permanently disabled due to certain conditions and unable to perform their job, they can claim the condition was the result of participation in the events of September 11 and after, unless it can be proven the condition was the result of other factors.

Qualifying conditions for this presumption include:

Upper respiratory tract (rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, vocal cord disease, upper airway hyper-reactivity and tracheobronchitis, or a combination of such conditions).

Lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, reactive airway dysfunction syndrome and various forms of pneumonitis – hypersensitivity, granulomatous, or eosinophilic).

Gastroesophageal tract (esophagitis and reflux disease).

Psychological (post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or any combination of these conditions).

Skin (conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis or burns, infectious, irritant, allergic, idiopathic or non-specific in nature, caused by exposure or aggravated by exposure); and

New onset diseases (resulting from exposure as such diseases may occur in the future including cancer, asbestos-related diseases, heavy metal poisoning, musculoskeletal disease and chronic psychological diseases).