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FORT HAMILTON, N.Y. — Fort Hamilton leadership recognized civilian employees for outstanding service, professional achievement and years of federal service during the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton quarterly awards ceremony at the Fort Hamilton Club.

Col. Raul Medrano, garrison commander, joined Trevor M. Loew, deputy to the garrison commander, and Acting Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Smith in presenting awards to employees whose contributions strengthened mission readiness, operational effectiveness and community partnerships across the installation.

The ceremony began with recognition of Rose Perez, who received a 20-year federal service certificate and pin in honor of her dedicated service to the federal government.

The Command team then presented awards to the work force recognizing exceptional performance during the third quarter of calendar year 2026.

Carlos Crespo received a Certificate of Appreciation for his initiative, persistence and technical coordination as installation security specialist. Leaders credited his efforts with reducing operational delays and supporting continued mission readiness.

Yumi Corn received a Certificate of Appreciation for her work as a budget analyst for the Non-appropriated Fund Support Services Team. Her financial expertise and efficient budget practices contributed to the successful completion of the fiscal year 2027 budget and overall program optimization.

Miranda McGann-Valenti received a Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement for exceptional support, customer service and professionalism while serving as a legal assistant in the Installation Legal Office.

Amit Baboolal received a Department of the Army Certificate of Achievement for outstanding dedication, initiative and professionalism as an information technology specialist for the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Non-appropriated Fund Support and Services Division.

Mohamed Zubar, Anabel Arbeeny, Desiree Betts, Domenica Hosein, Tara Guido and Robert Weinzettle received Department of the Army Certificates of Achievement for their support of the City University of New York internship program.

Leaders recognized the group for its commitment to mentorship and professional development, noting that its guidance directly contributed to the program’s success.

Anabel Arbeeny also received the Civilian Service Achievement Medal for exceptional professionalism and performance while serving as an administrative support assistant with the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

The Command team credited her dependable support, positive attitude and willingness to assist others with strengthening operations, enhancing productivity and contributing to mission readiness.

Tara Guido received the Civilian Service Commendation Medal for exceptional leadership and technical expertise as chief engineer for the Directorate of Public Works.

Her management of emergency substation repairs helped prevent utility failures and ensured uninterrupted power to critical garrison missions.

The garrison also recognized Donovan Harris with a Certificate of Achievement for exceptional service and performance during the 2026 Sail 250 events and highlighted his commitment to mission success and support of event operations.

The ceremony concluded with a hail-and-farewell segment in which directorates welcomed new members to the Fort Hamilton team and recognized departing employees for their service and contributions to the garrison mission.

Medrano delivered closing remarks and thanked employees for their dedication and continued support of the installation and its community.

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U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Joe Cahill, commander, Naval Surface Forces and commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Austal USA’s West Coast waterfront repair and services facility in National City, Calif., Oct. 13, 2026.

While onsite, he engaged with specialists and technicians performing ship maintenance and thanked them for their continued efforts toward building combat readiness on the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24). Oakland is in the newly certified Dry Dock Independence for repairs. He also met with leadership to receive an update on the activities at the facility and discuss the value the dry dock brings to the defense maritime industry in the region.

“Our decisive combat power begins right here in the Foundry, with the Sailors and maritime and industrial workforce who are performing this vital repair effort to build the combat readiness of our warships,” said Cahill. “The dry dock capabilities of our partners here in San Diego enables us to build and sustain our combat readiness in the Foundry.”

Oakland is the first U.S. Navy warship to undergo maintenance and repairs in this dry dock.

Built in the Foundry, tempered in the Fleet and forged to Fight, the Surface Force integrates personnel, materiel and training to generate fully manned, combat-ready warships and cohesive teams for the Fleet who are ready on arrival to fight, win and sustain combat power.

PORT HUENEME, Calif. — Aaron Auger, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global science advisor to Navy Expeditionary Forces (CNEF), visited Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) in Port Hueneme, California, Aug. 19, 2026, to gain a firsthand look at the command’s expeditionary engineering capabilities, technical expertise, and innovation ecosystem.

The visit, led by Mark B. Thompson, NAVFAC EXWC’s Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) Tech Transfer Program Manager, included a series of briefs highlighting NAVFAC EXWC’s diverse mission areas and the depth of expertise across its Oceans, Expeditionary, and Shore departments. Auger toured several laboratories and engaged with subject matter experts supporting a wide range of expeditionary warfighting capabilities.

During the laboratory tours, Auger met with Dr. Injun Song, a professional civil engineer with NAVFAC EXWC, who described the physical properties of an experimental concrete sample and its response to excessive heat and thrust. Auger also connected with Bill Varnava, a professional engineer and the Water Technology Product Lead with NAVFAC EXWC, at the Seawater Desalination Test Facility.

Varnava demonstrated an innovative, small-scale hydropower system being developed in conjunction with shore and private industry to increase energy resiliency, and detailed the laboratory’s 40-year history of developing water filtration technologies, ranging from the Individual Water Purification System (IWPS) to the Columbia-class submarine desalination system. Auger examined metal part samples from a hybrid additive manufacturing system within the Advanced Manufacturing Intermodal Containerized System for the Naval Construction Force (AMICS-NCF).

A key highlight of the visit was exposure to FATHOMWERX, NAVFAC EXWC’s collaborative innovation and prototyping environment located at a secure 60,000-square-foot facility at the Port of Hueneme. Operating as a public-private consortium and a designated NavalX Tech Bridge, FATHOMWERX connects naval laboratories, industry, and mission partners to accelerate problem-solving and technology development.

The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the operational relevance of NAVFAC EXWC’s capabilities in support of CNEF and the Fleet. The firsthand engagement gives the ONR science advisor a stronger understanding of how NAVFAC EXWC delivers innovative, mission-focused solutions for expeditionary warfighters, helping to inform future collaboration across the naval research and warfare center enterprise.

Headquartered at Naval Base Ventura County, NAVFAC EXWC is a command comprised of federal civilians, contractors, and military personnel delivering research, development, test, and evaluation, as well as in-service engineering solutions across expeditionary, ocean, and shore technical domains.

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. – The 355th Wing brought civic leaders from southern Arizona to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Oct. 6-8, 2026, for a civic leader tour.

Civic leaders are key members in their community. The Air Force partners with civic leaders to create one-on-one opportunities to educate them about the missions of the U.S. Air Force. Civic leaders can then advocate on behalf of the service in their work, faith, family, and social circles.

The tour offered participants a behind-the-scenes look at the people, programs and capabilities that shape the service, while strengthening relationships between the military installation and the surrounding civilian community.

Throughout the visit, civic leaders witnessed Air Force Basic Military Training graduation events and toured several key facilities around the installation, including the 344th Training Squadron, the Inter-American Air Forces Academy and the Special Warfare Training Wing. During the visit they also met with San Antonio-based civic and business leaders at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

At Basic Military Training, civic leaders observed how the Air Force transforms civilians into airminded Airmen, instilling an understanding of the Air Force mission and their individual roles in defending, operating, generating and sustaining airpower.

After an in-depth review of BMT, civic leaders gained insight on the initial skills training for rescue Airmen by visiting the Special Warfare Training Wing. Rescue Airmen include pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, individuals who rescue, recover and return American or allied service members isolated, stranded or captured behind enemy lines.

The SWTW provided a closer look at the rigorous pipeline required to develop rescue professionals. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is home to the Air Force’s largest concentration of rescue Airmen, making the training pipeline an important part of understanding the people and preparation behind DM’s “Rescue and Attack” mission.

Fernando Flores, the Chamber of Southern Arizona Military Affairs Committee member, reflected on the intensity of the special warfare training.

“I was truly blown away by the Special Warfare Training Wing and the rigorous training that pararescue candidates must endure,” Flores said. “You hear about the intensity of their training, but witnessing it firsthand gives you an entirely different level of appreciation for the physical, mental and emotional demands placed on these individuals.”

The tour also highlighted the Air Force’s international partnerships through the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, which develops military capabilities and strengthens relationships with partner nations. Lt. Col. Lyndsey Smith, 837th Training Squadron commander, described the academy’s mission as advancing national security by building lasting partnerships and developing leaders, equipping them to dominate the future battlespace together.

“I was incredibly impressed by the scale, discipline, and coordination required to graduate more than 700 Airmen from Basic Military Training each week,” Flores said. “I was equally amazed by the work of the Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) and its partnerships with more than 30 nations to develop capabilities, strengthen international relationships and advance shared security interests.”

Beyond the training facilities, civic leaders met with Tim Farrell, the vice president of Military Affairs, Aerospace, and Cyber Security for the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting they discussed relationships between civic and military leaders to strengthen their respective communities. Farrell emphasized how community partnerships can support military missions, fortify local economies, and create reciprocal advocacy opportunities between military installations and their community partners.

Looking back on the tour, Flores emphasized that the experience deepened his appreciation not only for those who execute the mission, but also for the people and systems that make it possible.

“My biggest takeaway from the civic leader trip was an overwhelming sense of gratitude and respect for the men and women who voluntarily serve in our nation’s Air Force,” said Flores. “It takes exceptional leadership, disciplined operations, strategic planning, and countless dedicated professionals working behind the scenes to ensure every part of the mission operates effectively. Ultimately, the strength of our Air Force rests on the dedication of its people at every level.”

Through opportunities like the civic leader tour, the 355th Wing strengthens relationships with southern Arizona community leaders by providing firsthand insights into the people, training and partnerships that support the Air Force mission. By fostering these connections, DM helps build an informed and engaged community that understands the Rescue and Attack mission and the value of working alongside the Airmen who execute it.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms celebrated the U.S. Navy’s 251st birthday with a special meal at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms on Oct. 14, bringing Sailors together to honor more than two centuries of naval service, tradition and heritage.

The hospital’s Adobe Café served a special menu featuring ribeye steaks, shrimp, lobster and a variety of sides and desserts, prepared by the hospital’s culinary specialists to commemorate the occasion.

NMRTC Twentynine Palms commanding officer Capt. Janiese Cleckley, acting executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Magare and Command Master Chief Richard Moreno joined the festivities, donning cook smocks and helping serve meals to service members and staff.

The celebration also drew Marines, Soldiers and civilian personnel from across Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, who joined Sailors for the Navy’s birthday festivities.

Behind the meal was a team of culinary specialists whose preparations began well before the first plate was served.

Culinary Specialist 1st Class Matthew Hembree, a Savannah, Georgia, native and leading petty officer for the combined food service and nutrition management department at Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, explained that preparing a Navy Birthday meal requires considerably more coordination than the galley’s routine operations.

“Planning a Navy Birthday meal takes a tremendous amount of coordination, preparation, and teamwork,” Hembree said. “From developing the menu and ordering provisions to organizing personnel and ensuring everything is executed properly, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes.”

While the department’s daily mission centers on providing quality meals and nutritional support to hospital patients and staff, special occasions like the Navy Birthday allow culinary specialists to showcase their skills and creativity.

“Our goal is to make the experience about more than just the food,” Hembree said. “We want everyone who walks through the Adobe Café to feel like they’re part of something special.”

The team placed additional emphasis on menu selections, presentation and the overall dining experience, transforming an ordinary day at the galley into an opportunity for Sailors and staff to celebrate together.

For Hembree, the occasion also highlights the important role culinary specialists play in maintaining morale, fostering camaraderie and preserving Navy traditions.

“As culinary specialists, food has always played an important role in bringing Sailors together, building morale and creating a sense of community,” Hembree said. “Being able to carry on that tradition is something we take pride in.”

The U.S. Navy traces its founding to Oct. 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized the purchase of two armed vessels during the American Revolution. Today, Navy commands around the world commemorate the service’s birthday by honoring its history and the generations of Sailors who have served.

For Hembree, the celebration was also an opportunity to recognize the work of his fellow culinary specialists, whose responsibilities extend beyond preparing meals to supporting the hospital’s daily operations and developing the next generation of Navy food service professionals.

“It’s also an opportunity for our culinary specialists to demonstrate their talents and take ownership of something they can be proud of,” Hembree said. “At the end of the day, seeing our Sailors, staff and patrons enjoying themselves makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Twentynine Palms operates Defense Health Agency military treatment facility Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, which delivers safe, high-quality healthcare to service members and their families. The command supports the health and readiness of warfighters at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, the Marine Corps’ largest live-fire training installation, while readying Navy Medicine personnel to provide expeditionary medical support around the world.