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From left: Japan Air Self Defense Force Capt. Nakanishi, U.S. Air Force Lt. Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force FLTLT Ryan pose for a photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II on the flight-line for exercise Cope North 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2025. CN25 is a multinational, U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, field training exercise focused on conducting Combat Air Force training to increase interoperability. This exercise enhances U.S. relationships and interoperability with our regional Allies and partners by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques and procedures to better integrate multilateral defense capabilities and compatibility in support of regional security. ( U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt)

Cope North 25 Strengthens Trilateral Airpower and Interoperability

By Senior Master Sergeant Kyle King | March 7, 2025

For the first time, F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Japan, the United States, and Australia conducted trilateral training operations, enhancing joint capabilities and interoperability. Representing the United States’...

Staff Sgt. Noah Lukan, a Cyber Communications specialist assigned to the 148th Communications Squadron, 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, participated in a cold-water immersion as part of the Air National Guard's cold weather operations course at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn., Feb. 7, 2025. Students participated in a six-day, five-night Field Training Exercise where they traveled on foot in subzero temperatures, using land navigational skills, to build camps featuring either a 10-man Arctic tent or thermal shelters made from materials found in nature. Students were comprised of mostly Security Forces specialists, but also included a Maintenance Group Commander, Physician Assistant, Cyber Communications Specialist, and a Public Affairs Specialist. The course taught service members to conduct mission-essential tasking in extreme cold environments.

Air National Guard Conducts Arctic Training in Minnesota

By Audra Flanagan | Feb. 11, 2025

70 Air National Guard airmen gathered at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn., from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8, 2025, to train and conduct mission-essential tasks in extremely cold temperatures, during the Air National Guard’s Cold...

Capt. Matthew Purdy (right), who is currently serving as project engineer on the Canandaigua VA Medical Center project, participates in a site tour of the project Dec. 18, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Campbell, USACE Buffalo Public Affairs)

Army officer gaining engineering experience at Canandaigua VA Medical Center project

By Mr. Michael Maddox | Feb. 4, 2025

Capt. Matthew Purdy has had an interest in engineering and how things work since he was a preschooler. That lifelong interest has led him to his current role as a project engineer on the Canandaigua VA Medical Center project...

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, Vermont Adjutant General, Vermont National Guard, poses for photo with Vermont secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Lindsay Kurrle (left) and Dr. Bettyjo Bouchey, UVM Chief Officer for Professional and Continuing Education at the Army Aviation Support Facility, South Burlington, Vt., Jan 14, 2025. The Vermont National Guard signed a partnership agreement with the University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education (UVM PACE) to bolster career development for service members. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Denis Nunez)

Vermont National Guard and University of Vermont sign partnership agreement to enhance career development for service members

By Mr. Marcus Tracy | Jan. 14, 2025

The Vermont National Guard signed a partnership agreement with the University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education (UVM PACE) to bolster career development for service members at the Army Aviation Support Facility...

Airmen assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing take off in an aircraft that will bring them to their deployed location, from the Burlington International Airport in South Burlington, Vermont, on Jan. 8, 2025. More than 200 Airmen, along with equipment and F-35A Lighting II aircraft from the Vermont Air National Guard recently deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a planned rotation to enhance regional security and strengthen interoperability with joint and allied forces. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Patrick Crosley)

Vermont Air National Guard Deploys to Japan

By Lt Col Meghan Smith | Jan. 13, 2025

More than 200 Airmen, along with equipment and F-35A Lighting II aircraft from the Vermont Air National Guard recently deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a planned rotation to enhance regional security and...