Feb. 25, 2025
SOCIAL MEDIA ROUNDUP
This month’s Excellent Airman is Staff Sgt. Osman Kargbo, Commander’s Support Staff with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS).
Alabama National Guard | Facebook, Instagram, X
Patrol, Shoot, Freeze, Repeat
Alabama National Guard | Facebook, Instagram, X
Tech. Sgt. Steven Mercado received another stripe over February drill weekend.
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th Air Refueling Wing | Facebook
ROMANIA NEWS
Dutch MQ-9 Reaper deployment in Romania extends to 2026
Air Force Technology | February 24, 2025
The Netherlands has announced the extension of its MQ-9 Reaper drone mission from Romania until 31 March 2026, reinforcing its surveillance and defence operations on Nato’s eastern border.
The current deployment includes two unarmed MQ-9 Reapers used for intelligence gathering.
The extended mission of the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft and Air Force personnel will support Air Shielding operations in Romania, aimed at monitoring the border of the Nato treaty area.
DEFENSE WIDE NEWS
Trump's mishandling of Ukraine hurts our allies – and empowers our enemies | Opinion
USA Today | February 25, 2025
Last week, the Trump administration dove headfirst into the foreign policy arena, negotiating with both Russia and Ukraine separately on the framework for ending the war in Ukraine, as well as for America’s interest in the war-torn nation. After President Donald Trump made a series of outrageous comments, our allies in the rest of Europe have expressed concern about our reliability in the event of further conflict. Just as he did in his first term, Trump has valid concerns about America’s international agreements but lacks the nuance necessary to negotiate change properly.
Pete Hegseth Gets Snippy with Reporter Asking About ‘Underqualified’ Military Chief
The Daily Beast | February 25, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth brutally shut down a reporter’s question about an “underqualified” replacement for the ousted chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CQ Brown. Hegseth was enjoying some small talk with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid Bin Salman and his delegation Monday afternoon in the Pentagon, when things started to sour. Hegseth fielded questions from assembled reporters and one grilled him on retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dan “Razin” Caine replacing CQ Brown in the critical role.
Hegseth says he fired the top military lawyers because they weren't well suited for the jobs
Associated Press | February 24, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that he was replacing the top lawyers for the military services because he didn’t think they were “well-suited” to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, Hegseth refused to answer a question about why the Trump administration has selected a retired general to be the next Joint Chiefs chairman, when he doesn’t meet the legal qualifications for the job.
Hegseth Plans to Shrink Civilian Workforce; Air Force Hasn’t Fired Anyone Yet
Air & Space Forces Magazine | February 24, 2025
The Office of the Secretary of Defense has ambitious goals to reduce the department’s civilian workforce by 5 to 8 percent, but it’s not clear how many of those will be Department of the Air Force employees. On Feb. 20, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released a video statement saying the Pentagon was reevaluating its probationary workforce in line with President Donald Trump’s directives and planned to cut the entire civilian workforce by 5 to 8 percent.
Pete Hegseth Says Quiet Part Out Loud on Why He Fired DoD Lawyers
The New Republic | February 24, 2025
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth admitted Sunday that he’d fired top military lawyers so that Donald Trump’s administration can get away with whatever it wants. During an appearance on Fox News, host Shannon Bream asked Hegseth to respond to a post on X from Georgetown Law Professor Rosa Brooks criticizing his decision to fire three judge advocates general, or JAGs, Friday.
OPINION: America must win the race to the Arctic, and Alaska is the key
The Washington Times | February 24, 2025
America is in an age of existential competition. The stakes are high, the competition is stiff and two of our biggest challengers are teaming up to beat us. China and Russia appear to cooperate in their efforts in the global race to the Arctic, and we should be as well. It is no secret that China and Russia want to expand their influence and undermine the free world.
NATIONAL GUARD NEWS
VIDEO: National Guard, Southern Miss sign agreement for archive documenting Guard’s history
WDAM | February 25, 2025
Live recording as National Guard, Southern Miss sign agreement for archive documenting Guard’s history.
West Virginia National Guard helps flood debris removal
WYMT-TV | February 24, 2025
After heavy rains swept through the southern part of our region, many people are still working to clean up the mountains of debris that have piled up. At 8 a.m. Monday morning, 21 National Guard members laced up their boots and were deployed to Logan County to help with flood debris removal for at least 160 families and business.
More than 6,500 National Guard personnel on duty as wildcat NY prison strike continues
Syracuse.com | February 24, 2025
More than 6,500 National Guard personnel were on duty Monday to help run the New York state prison system as an illegal strike by corrections officers entered its second week. About 5,100 members were deployed to some of the state’s 42 prisons, according to Matt Janiszewski, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul.
35-year veteran of SC National Guard picked to lead state’s military
News Break | February 18, 2025
A longtime member of the state’s National Guard is the governor’s choice to lead the state’s military force. Brig. Gen. Robin Stilwell will be the second adjutant general chosen by the governor instead of by popular election after a 2014 change approved by voters. The first was Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, who will remain adjutant general until his replacement is confirmed by the state Senate.
Justice Thomas lambasts writ denial of paralyzed Air National Guard member’s tort claims
Courthouse News Service | February 24, 2025
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to revisit a ruling dictating when service members can file federal tort claims against the government. Ryan Carter, an inactive Air National Guard staff sergeant and a civilian employee of the federal government, was left paralyzed after providers at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center struck his spine during surgery to correct a degenerative disc condition in his cervical spine.
ARMY NEWS
Two Jersey Shore veterans get medals they earned the hard way in Vietnam over 50 years ago
Asbury Park Press | February 25, 2025
U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., presented Celentano and Vaccaro with their long-awaited medals during separate ceremonies — one in Middletown, the other in Toms River.
US Army awards multi-year deal for HTPB supply
Defence Blog | February 25, 2025
The U.S. Army has awarded an $8,572,608 firm-fixed-price contract to Ezekiel Bahar of West Hills, California, for the supply of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) liquid. The contract, announced Monday by the Department of Defense, was awarded through a competitive bidding process conducted online, with four bids received. HTPB is a crucial component in the production of solid rocket propellants, adhesives, and polymer materials, commonly used in defense and aerospace applications. The awarded contract ensures a steady supply of this material for military and industrial use.
Internet Invested as Soldier Inviting Sabrina Carpenter to Ball Goes Viral
Newsweek | February 24, 2025
A soldier's TikTok inviting Sabrina Carpenter to his military ball has taken internet viewers by storm. The video, posted by @noski412 has gone viral after he formally invited Carpenter to the event, ending his invitation with a famous "please, please, please." Since the video was posted, it has received over 4.1 million views and over 464,000 likes.
Yes, the U.S. Army Chorus sang ‘Les Mis’ at the White House Governors’ Ball
The Philadelphia Inquirer | February 24, 2025
As footage from an annual White House dinner for the nation’s governors over the weekend spread across social media, musical theater and pop culture enthusiasts are asking: Was the song choice an intentional troll? The U.S. Army Chorus performed a rendition of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” Saturday evening in a ballroom surrounded by elected officials, including President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. To the uninitiated, it’s a catchy tune from the popular musical, Les Misérables. The song — which touches on themes of overcoming adversity — is rooted in protest.
AIR FORCE NEWS
Drone races at U.S. Air Force museum include path through aircraft
Dayton Daily News | February 25, 2025
Guests at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force this weekend will get the chance to see the high-tech sport of drone racing live. The museum’s sixth annual Micro Drone Race will take place Feb.28 through March 2.
Air Force Awards $1.5B Environmental A&E Contracts to 27 Companies
GovCon Wire | February 25, 2025
The U.S. Air Force has named Leidos, Jacobs Government Services and 25 other companies as awardees of indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts valued at $1.5 billion. The Department of Defense said Monday that the multiple-award contract comes with a five-year ordering period with an option of another five years. If the option period is exercised, work on the contract will end until March 5, 2035.
Senior Master Sergeant Promotion Rate Goes Up for Fourth Year in a Row
Air & Space Forces Magazine | February 24, 2025
The Air Force will promote 11.64 percent of eligible master sergeants to senior master sergeant this year, continuing a steady upward trajectory. The Air Force Personnel Center announced Feb. 24 that 1,635 Airmen are moving up to E-8 out of 14,041 eligible. The full list of those selected will be posted on the center’s website Feb. 27 at 8 a.m. Central time.
Wright-Patterson Air Force base celebrates top performers with 'Orville' awards
Spectrum News 1 Ohio | February 24, 2025
Top performers at Wright Patterson Airforce Base recently had their 2024 achievement recognized at a Hollywood-inspired ceremony. Each group within the wing represented a different movie genre and the event featured red-carpet interviews. The top performers received an "Orville" award, a tribute to the aviation pioneer Orville Wright and the base's heritage.
Space Force to play ‘central role’ in Iron Dome U.S. missile defense initiative
Space News | February 24, 2025
The U.S. Space Force has assembled a team of technical experts to support the Trump administration’s Iron Dome missile-defense initiative. This “integrated planning team” brings wide-ranging expertise that will be critical in laying out the missile-shield architecture to defend the U.S. homeland from missile threats, the Space Force’s chief of space operations Gen. Chance Saltzman told reporters Feb. 24.
News Compilation by Staff Sgt. Adena Belle McCluskey