Public Health

Fort Hamilton’s senior leaders recommitted to the Army’s Service Culture Campaign during a ceremony Oct. 15 at the installation’s Community Club.

Col. Melissa Cantwell, Fort Hamilton garrison commander, led her command team in renewing their pledge by signing new culture campaign posters, which stress enhancing customer service and employee development. Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Hill and Raymond Santiago, deputy to the garrison commander, joined Cantwell along with directors and special staff. The garrison’s customer pledge focuses on seven key commitments:

– Delivering quality products and services

– Building relationships with communities and customers

– Treating customers with kindness and respect

– Maintaining professional conduct

– Welcoming customer feedback

– Providing well-maintained facilities

– Taking responsibility for actions

The leadership team also outlined their pledge to garrison employees, emphasizing:

– Comprehensive onboarding for new team members

– Clear performance standards

– Individual development plans with regular supervisor review

– Professional development opportunities

– Recognition programs for excellence

– Active engagement from leadership

– Team-focused organizational culture

– Mutual accountability

The renewed commitment aligns with U.S. Army Installation Management Command’s broader service excellence initiative launched in 2017.

Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees participated in a Touch-A-Truck event at Hardesty Public Library in Tulsa, Oct. 12.

Keystone Lake Park Rangers and the Infrastructure Section’s Bridge Inspection Team showed off a fan boat and bridge inspection vehicle while talking to kids about USACE’s Bridge Safety program and Water Safety mission.

The Halloween themed activity allowed the Infrastructure Section show off Tulsa District’s snooper truck and allowed park rangers to show off the project’s fan boat to highlight the district’s Civil Works and Water Safety missions.

“Our bridge truck goes to primarily the bridges for inspections. The boom lets it go underneath the bridge to look for fractures and find issues so we can make repairs,” said Jamie Dodgeon, engineering technician, Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Tulsa District is the only district in the Southwestern Division with a snooper truck, and supports other districts throughout the nation performing bridge inspections.

“The snooper truck goes out. Probably 30 or 40 times a year,” said Dodgion. “We’ve travelled all over the country assisting Southwestern Division districts and other districts and divisions. We’ve even travelled to Illinois up around Chicago and Mississippi. There’s quite a bit of travelling in this truck.”

Keystone Lake Park Rangers brought their fan boat, which provided a mechanism to engage with visitors who might normally be reluctant about approaching the water safety booth.

“We wanted to bring the fan boat out. It’s one of those big conversation starters. So, we’re able to talk about why we use it,” said Lauren Enloe, Park Ranger, Tulsa District.

Rangers use fan boats to access shallow areas on lakes and rivers that flow into reservoirs, and downstream of dams when needed.

“It’s a good conversation starter with the kids and the family. So that way we can go right into what the base of our need here is today – to talk about water safety and keeping kids safe while they’re in and around the water.”

The 124th Fighter Wing arrived at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in preparation for exercise Green Flag West, sometimes referred to as Green Flag Nellis, October 24, 2024.

GFW ensures the 124FW is operationally ready to provide joint ground support to its NATO partners globally. During this exercise the wing will directly support the U.S. Army’s National Training Center efforts in Fort Irwin, California.

“The 124FW is participating in GFW as a major part of our combat training,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Benfield, the exercise OIC of the 124th Maintenance Group. “We will be integrating with an Army Brigade Combat Team conducting large-scale, force-on-force ground operations to provide joint fire, close-air-support, and combat search and rescue operations.”

Preparing for combat during a time of a great power competition requires training with not only NATO partners, but also with other services.

GFW is facilitated by Air Combat Command through the 549th Combat Training Squadron and promotes a total force approach to pre-deployment certification training. In addition to its support of the NTC, the 124FW will be working closely with the U.S. Navy off the coast of California.

In addition to working hand-in-hand with ground forces, the wing will be supporting airborne operations in maritime surface warfare training, said Benfield.

Benfield went on to say, “The men and women of 124MXG will be hard at work throughout the exercise to generate aircraft and load munitions to support our deployment spin up training objectives.”

Not only will maintenance be preparing for the near-peer fight during GFW, but so will pilots from the 190th Fighter Squadron. Together they are always ready, always there.

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Swiss and Swedish generals representing the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission visited the 18th Wing to increase public knowledge of the NNSC and learn about the support Okinawa bases provide to the Korean theatre, Oct. 18, 2024.

During the visit, 18th Wing leadership conducted a tour of Kadena Air Base with the NNSC delegation members. The tour consisted of a noncombatant evacuation operations and mission brief, visiting the air traffic control tower, an F-22A Raptor and a P-8A Poseidon at the Navy hangar.

The distinguished visitors were Swiss Army Maj. Gen. Ivo Burgener, head of the Swiss delegation to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and Swedish Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Lena Persson Herlitz, head of the Swedish delegation to the NNSC.

NNSC delegation members and 18th Wing leadership discussed noncombatant evacuation operations to enhance safety and security for all residing in and around the Korean Peninsula while maintaining awareness of their respective missions.

“Our task here today is actually to make sure that we fully understand the regional situation, because our mission is to supervise the armistice agreement in Korea,“ said Herlitz.

The NNSC was established by the Armistice Agreement that ended the War in Korea in 1953. Today it is composed of a Swiss and Swedish delegation, each consisting of five Officers and a Major General. While residing in South Korea the mission of the NNSC is to carry out inspections and investigations to ensure implementation of the Armistice.

Service members in Okinawa play a large role in maintaining stability in the Korean Peninsula through strategic exercises under present conditions and in support of combat missions in phases of heightened tensions.

“The security situation today is no longer a regional threat, it’s more of a global threat,” said Herlitz. “We want to make sure that we fully understand the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The U.S. Air Force regularly engages with allies and partners to enhance interoperability, understanding of the unique security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, and coordinate common use of airspace.

“The 18th Wing fits into the United Nations Command-Rear’s mission primarily through logistical support, as well as providing support to joint assets that operate out of Kadena Air Base that provide joint maritime awareness 24/7, 365 [days a year].” said U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Lundeby, 18th Wing deputy commander.

Col. Lundeby thanked the NNSC delegates for taking the time to visit Kadena Air Base, and learn more about the 18th Wing’s mission.

Scranton, Pa. – U.S. Army 1st Lt. Priyanka Srivastava assumed command of Headquarters Support Company, 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from Cpt. Dennis Zaitsev during a change of command ceremony at the Scranton Armed Forces Reserve Center Oct. 20, 2024.

With the traditional passing of the company colors, the unit’s legacy was symbolically passed as a building block for future performance and achievements. For the past two and a half years, Zaitsev held the responsibilities of ensuring the accomplishment of the unit’s mission, as well as the welfare of its Soldiers. Those responsibilities now rest with Srivastava.

“It has been an honor and privilege to be your Commander,” Zaitsev said to the formation. “I thank each and every one of you here today for helping me grow both personally and professionally.”

Zaitsev went on to highlight some of the unit’s accomplishments during his time as commander, which included a mobilization of 160 Soldiers to the southwest border to serve as the command element for more than 2,000 Soldiers supporting Homeland Security.

Srivastava then addressed the formation for the first time as its new commander.

“Thank you for all of your guidance and wisdom thus far,” Srivastava said to Zaistsev. “To the Soldiers standing here before me today, know that I will try my hardest to be the company commander that you all deserve.”

Srivastava thanked Col. Brad Pierson, 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, for entrusting her with command of the company.

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – The Joint Navigation Warfare Center, headquartered at Kirtland Air Force Base, held a ceremony for its 20th anniversary, Oct. 23. The ceremony recognized JNWC’s contribution to the joint fight and its ability to assess global space operations in order to deliver combat relevant space effects by ensuring military assets that use GPS can withstand any adversary attacks like jamming and spoofing to the system for the United States and its allies.

“America’s potential adversaries, terrorist organizations, even drug smugglers crossing our boarders leverage tools that can deny you access to the GPS signal. Finding yourself in this situation will result in the GPS in your car not working. The ATM won’t spit out dollar bills. Your cellphone becomes useless,” said Robert Hoffman, JNWC Director. “This is also true for the tools our warfighters use – fighter aircraft, submarines, command posts, even tanks on the battlefield. All warfighting systems today use the GPS signal.”

For the past 20 years, JNWC has taken lead on identifying and patching any vulnerabilities in equipment that uses GPS. It provides a combination of space, cyberspace and electronic warfare employment for U.S. Space Command through the U.S. Space Forces – Space by assessing offensive and defensive navigation warfare operational capabilities in contested environments. This helps ensure the U.S. military is able to withstand attacks and continue operations.

“GPS continues to be a foundation for America’s military and its society, with thousands of military systems depending on navigation satellites to move and communicate,” said Lt. Gen Douglas Schiess, S4S commander and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander. “Strategic competition between great powers has significantly shifted in recent years. Space is no longer operating in a benign environment. Our adversaries are moving quickly and are vying for dominance.”

“When Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, we saw an unprecedented scale of navigation warfare. The invasion is the largest NAVWAR confrontation ever seen to date, which is forcing us to rethink GPS systems and how we are going to adapt to those pacing threats.”

From Albuquerque, JNWC not only provides the main threat assessments for the U.S. military, it also provides situational awareness for commercial usage of GPS to help the civil sector protect itself against any adversary meddling.

Modern life is built on GPS. From banking to driving to weather, farming, and logistics, GPS touches every American, and JNWC is here to make sure those services continue.

ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Two U.S. Army Soldiers, 1st Lt. Moira Mailed and Staff Sgt. Justin Morales, made history and paved the way for future Soldiers by becoming the first U.S. Army graduates of the newly established Jungle Agile Combat Employment Course on October 17, 2024.

“The Cadre focused on teaching us jungle survival strategies, so it was up to the students to bring in any prior knowledge when it came to employing tactics in the course,” said 1st Lt. Moira Mailed, battalion engineer officer assigned to Task Force Talon.

The 10-day course is operated by Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group and from the 736th Security Forces Squadron. “Guam is a place where multiple branches of the military overlap and getting to work with people from our sister services was my favorite part,” said Mailed.

As the only jungle course offered by the Unites States Air Force, it encompasses training elements from the United States Marine Corps’ Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa and the United States Army’s Jungle School in Hawaii. The course consists of tasks including, but not limited to, the collection and purification of water, building shelters, land navigation, combat water survival abilities, determining edibility of potential food sources, and other necessary skills needed to survive in a jungle environment.

“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to participate, evaluate, and provide feedback on the Air Force’s new Jungle Agile Combat Employment course. The experience of training with Airmen and Marines was extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally, as they brought their experience from diverse backgrounds and training histories to the class,” said Staff Sgt. Justin Morales, battalion medical NCO assigned to Task Force Talon.

The Task Force Talon Soldiers along with Marines from Camp Blaz were both invited to send personnel to participate in the new course by the 36th Wing Commander, Brigadier General Thomas Palenske. The Wing commander’s goal for the course is to prepare personnel to be able to operate in austere and difficult terrain in the Pacific theater of operations.

Both 1st Lt. Mailed and Staff Sgt. Morales recommend any Soldier who comes across the chance to attend this course to take the opportunity. “I look forward to seeing this course become further refined, as the cadre were knowledgeable and well trained in their fields. I believe this course has excellent potential and relevancy in our area of operations and will become a valuable training opportunity for those able to participate,” said Morales. (U.S. Army story by 1st Lt. Macie Plagens)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S. D. BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – III Marine Expeditionary Force Marines and Sailors will participate in exercise Keen Sword 25, a joint-bilateral biennial exercise, alongside the Japan Self-Defense Force from October 23 through November 1, 2024, throughout Japan.

Keen Sword 25 is a field training exercise designed to enhance U.S.-Japan readiness and interoperability while strengthening the bilateral relationship and showcasing U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region.

The exercise demonstrates and advances U.S.-Japan interoperability, validates force posture, and reinforces solidarity of the U.S.-Japan alliance by exercising the most modern equipment and procedures under realistic conditions. Approximately 900 Marines and Sailors from across III MEF will participate.

“III MEF is committed to conducting realistic exercises with our allies and partners, and we will continue to deploy and train alongside partner forces in exercises like Keen Sword,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner, the III MEF commanding general. “The U.S.-Japan Alliance has served as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and across the world for over seven decades and has never been stronger.

III MEF contributions to this iteration of Keen Sword will include a bilateral amphibious assault with the JSDF Amphibious Raid Deployment Brigade, humanitarian aid and disaster relief training, a forward arming and refueling point, live-fire training, and additional bilateral events and subject matter expert exchanges.

Live-fire exercises, like Keen Sword, are one of the most valuable ways for our forces to train in their craft and validate the ability to defend U.S. allies and partners as a vital part of our mission. Conducting training in different locations across the region allows the U.S. military to continue to learn and improve their proficiency to support a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

All participating units, to include participants from the Australian Defence Force and Canadian Armed Forces, will train in a comprehensive scenario designed to exercise the critical capabilities required to support the defense of Japan and to respond to a crisis or contingency in the Indo-Pacific region.

The KS25 scenario has no connection to existing regional events, nor is it directed at any single nation. Originating in 1986, this training between the United States and Japan has been a routine, recurring event to bolster the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

The U.S.-Japan alliance remains a cornerstone of regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Keen Sword provides realistic, relevant training that increases the U.S. and Japan’s abilities to plan, communicate, and conduct complex multi-domain operations.

Questions regarding JSDF training and personnel should be referred to Japan Joint Staff Office.

Questions regarding Keen Sword 25 should be directed to the Combined Joint Information Bureau at [email protected].

Questions regarding III MEF participation should be directed to [email protected].

米海兵隊、キーン・ソード25に参加

海兵隊基地キャンプバトラー（沖縄県） – 第三海兵遠征軍の海兵隊員・海軍兵は、2024年10月23日から11月1日まで、日本各地で自衛隊とともに2年に1度の日米共同総合演習「キーン・ソード25」に参加します。

キーン・ソード25は、日米の即応性と相互運用性を高めるとともに、二国間関係を強化し、地域の同盟国やパートナーの安全保障上の利益を支援する米国の決意を示すことを目的とした実地訓練です。

この訓練は、現実的な条件下で最新の装備と手順を行使することにより、日米の相互運用性を実証し、前進させ、戦力態勢を検証し、日米同盟の連帯を強化するものです。第三海兵遠征軍全体から約900人の海兵隊員と海軍兵が参加します。

「第三海兵遠征軍は同盟国やパートナーと共に現実的な演習を実施することにコミットしており、キーン・ソードのような演習で同志国と共に派遣・訓練を続けていきます」と第三海兵遠征軍司令官ロジャー・B・ターナー中将は述べました。「日米同盟は70年以上にわたり、インド太平洋地域と世界全体の平和、安全、繁栄の礎石として機能しており、かつてないほど強固なものとなっています。」

今回のキーン・ソードにおける第三海兵遠征軍の役割には、自衛隊水陸機動団との二国間水陸両用攻撃、人道支援・災害救援訓練、前方武装・給油地点、実弾射撃訓練、その他の二国間行事や専門家交流などが含まれます。

キーン・ソードのような実動演習は、米軍がその技術を訓練し、米国の同盟国やパートナーを防衛する能力を検証する最も貴重な方法の一つであり、私たちの任務の重要な一部です。地域のさまざまな場所で訓練を実施することで、米軍は自由で開かれたインド太平洋を支援するために学び続け、熟練度を向上させることが出来ます。

オーストラリア軍とカナダ軍からの参加部隊を含むすべての参加部隊は、日本の防衛を支援し、インド太平洋地域における危機や有事に対応するために必要な重要能力を訓練するために設計された包括的なシナリオで訓練を行います。

キーン・ソード25のシナリオは、既存の地域的な出来事との関連性はなく、また特定の国に向けられたものでもではありません。1986年に始まったこの日米間の訓練は、日米同盟を強化するために繰り返し行われてきました。

日米同盟は、インド太平洋地域における地域の平和と安全の礎であり続けています。キーン・ソードは、複雑な複合領域作戦を計画、伝達、実施する日米の能力を高める、現実的で適切な訓練を提供します。

自衛隊の訓練や隊員に関する質問は、統合幕僚監部にお問い合わせ下さい。

キーン・ソード25に関する質問は、共同総合情報局、下記の連絡先までお問い合わせください。

[email protected]

第三海兵遠征軍の演習参加に関する質問は下記の連絡先までお問い合わせください。

[email protected]

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues, two 188th Wing Airmen discuss the cybersecurity career field in the Air National Guard.

“Massive advancements in AI are being incorporated into almost every facet of IT,” said Master Sgt. Bryan Depper, whose role in the 153rd Intelligence Squadron is to maintain the integrity and security of the 188th Wing’s cyber infrastructure. “For cyber security, every new capability that emerges in the IT field, a new vulnerability is born, and bad actors are always looking for ways to exploit new capabilities.”

With the increase in access and technology advances widening the threat landscape, the cyber security career field isn’t a one-size-fits all. Another common misconception is that all cybersecurity roles are the same.

“Each IT field has a different skill set and mastery,” clarified Depper. Just as medical specialties vary, so do the areas within IT, each requiring specific expertise.”

Master Sgt. Jerry Johnson, is an information systems security officer (ISSO) for the 188th Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Group.

“A solid program is built on many factors, and within those areas, all are working as a team to ensure success,” said Johnson. “It is not just installing a device or program and you are secure.”

Part of working together as a team is to follow established intelligence community, Department of Defense, and Air Force cybersecurity policies and procedures while also ensuring all systems adhere to the physical security measures outlined in Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and maintain other measures to prevent insider threats, such as unauthorized usage of removable media or data spillages.

While the core responsibilities in cybersecurity are similar across sectors, the Air National Guard faces unique challenges, particularly in recruitment and retention.

“The civilian sector often pays substantially more, which can impact our ability to retain talent,” said Depper.

Despite this, the sense of duty and the opportunity to serve a larger mission provide significant fulfillment. Cyber professionals in the ANG support global missions, whether aiding in conflict zones or responding to environmental crises.

Johnson noted the difference in implementation. “ANG cybersecurity is defined and implemented as a large organization, whereas the civilian sector is built and implemented with fewer restrictions and at times greater cost.”

Johnson and Depper encourage high school and college students to investigate the cyber security career field and check out the options.

“The field is so broad, and in such high demand globally, you could really pick any area and be successful,” advised Depper. “Network management and information assurance are particularly promising sectors, often offering remote work opportunities and competitive salaries.”

Johnson also recommended looking into certifications.

“Programming languages, including coding fundamentals and Information Technology network fundamentals, are basic areas of understanding as is the Risk Management Framework process,” said Johnson. “However, certifications are just as important as degrees. Cisco and CompTIA, for example, provide certifications within IT.”

A native son of Cary, Illinois. and a resident of Champaign was promoted to colonel on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Illinois Army National Guard’s Urbana Armory.

Col. Bart J. Daly serves within the Illinois National Guard’s Joint Staff as the Director of Military Support and has been selected as the Illinois National Guard’s Human Resource Officer at the beginning of next year.

“A true test of a leader is whether people follow you,” Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army of the Illinois National Guard and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard said during Daly’s promotion ceremony. “You, my friend, are a true leader. People follow you.”

Daly said his leadership style was “baked” into him by his father, Bart W. Daly, a Vietnam Veteran who loves woodworking. “When we were working, my father would say ‘Let the tool do the work.’” He applies that concept to Soldiers. “You buy the tool, you maintain the tool, you sharp the tool, but, ultimately, it is about letting it do its job.”

Daly was commissioned into the active-duty Army in 2004 as an Infantry Officer through Illinois State University’s Army ROTC program. After Infantry Officer training at what is now Fort Moore in Georgia, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, where he served as a platoon leader, company executive officer, and mortar platoon leader. From 2007 to 2009 he served with the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division on a Military Transition Team. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 to 2009.

Following that deployment, he transitioned into the Illinois Army National Guard. Following service in the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, he commanded B Co., 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment based in Elgin from 2011 to 2013. Following company command, he served in various staff positions within the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In 2019, he deployed for a year to Afghanistan as the executive officer of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment. Following the deployment, he served as the brigade executive officer from 2020 to 2021.

In June 2021, he took command of the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment based in Chicago. Following command, he served again as the executive officer of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team before beginning his current assignment as the Illinois National Guard’s Director of Military Support in April 2024.

His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, nine Army Commendation Medals and the Expert Infantryman Badge. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army’s Ranger Course, Basic Airborne Course, Jumpmaster Course, Pathfinder Course, and Infantry Mortar Leader Course.

He is the proud father of 12-year-old daughter, Hanna, and 2-year-old son, Jai. He lives in Champaign with his spouse, Dr. Jennie Monaikul, an expert in toxicology who holds a doctorate in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.