Red Friday: Honoring Deployed U.S. Troops and the Ongoing Legacy of Service

As Red Friday arrives, the tradition of wearing red to remember and honor deployed U.S. troops continues across the nation. Red Friday stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices our service members make while far from home, whether they are conducting high-stakes missions in Iraq, patrolling strategic waterways on Navy ships, or engaging in rigorous training exercises with allied forces. Today, as every Friday, we stand in solidarity with these brave men and women, showing our unwavering support.

Recent stories of U.S. troops in action reflect the importance of their deployments. In Iraq, two U.S. service members were injured in a joint raid with Iraqi forces that resulted in the elimination of Jassim al-Mazroui Abu Abdul Qader, ISIS’s so-called “Wali of Iraq,” along with eight senior ISIS leaders. This mission highlights the ongoing fight against terrorism and the dedication of U.S. forces working with local allies to protect global security. As we wear red today, we remember the courage and resilience of these service members who continue to dismantle dangerous networks.

The Navy’s submarine forces are also vital to our nation’s defense, often carrying out secretive missions that remain unseen. The USS Washington, a fast-attack submarine, was recently awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation for its exceptional intelligence-gathering operations in the European theater. During its six-month deployment, the Washington’s crew carried out high-risk missions critical to national security. These sailors, operating in some of the most challenging environments, including the Arctic, remain at the forefront of keeping our nation safe. On this Red Friday, we honor these silent warriors whose contributions, though often unrecognized, are indispensable.

Joint training exercises, like the recent Kamandag exercise in the Philippines, also underscore the constant vigilance of our forces. U.S. Marines from the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, recently joined their Filipino counterparts in a live-fire drill, preparing for potential amphibious assaults. These exercises are essential to maintaining readiness and strengthening alliances in the face of regional threats. With F-35B fighters providing air support, the drills demonstrate the rigorous preparation of our troops, who are always ready to face new challenges. As we don our red shirts today, we acknowledge the importance of their readiness and their relentless commitment to protecting freedom.

Even as new ships join the Navy fleet, the tradition of service remains strong. The USS Beloit, a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, will soon be commissioned in Milwaukee, honoring the contributions of Beloit, Wisconsin, to the U.S. Navy. The ship will soon depart for its new homeport at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, ready to serve wherever duty calls. The commissioning of ships like the USS Beloit ensures that the legacy of service continues, with new generations of sailors stepping forward to defend our nation’s interests at sea.

Red Friday is more than a day to wear red—it is a call to action for all of us to remember the ongoing sacrifices of our troops. Whether they are deployed in conflict zones, engaged in intelligence operations, or training for future missions, they serve with dedication and honor. Their service allows us to live in freedom.

Today, as we wear red, let’s take a moment to reflect on the courage and commitment of our service members. Let’s send messages of support, donate to organizations that aid them, and honor their sacrifices in any way we can. Red Friday is our symbol of solidarity, reminding those deployed that they are never forgotten and that their service is deeply appreciated by all of us.

U.S. Marines and Filipino Counterparts Execute Live-Fire Drill in Palawan

On October 22, 2024, U.S. and Filipino marines conducted a high-intensity, live-fire exercise to simulate defense against an amphibious landing along the western coast of Palawan, Philippines. This drill, part of the annual Kamandag exercise, took place in Aborlan, a coastal municipality facing the South China Sea, just 125 miles from the site of an August clash between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards near Sabina Shoal.

During the exercise, 150 marines from the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, based at Camp Pendleton, California, teamed up with 150 marines from the Palawan-based 3rd Marine Brigade. They rehearsed their joint defense by firing missiles, mortars, and machine guns at target boats stationed over two miles offshore. The event was further intensified with air support from two F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, which dropped laser-guided bombs, and helicopters that joined from Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s westernmost city.

This year’s Kamandag exercise, running from October 15 through October 27, involved over 1,000 members of the Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The live-fire drill is part of a larger U.S.-Philippine collaboration aimed at strengthening regional defense capabilities. Ahead of the drill, marines from both nations had set up an expeditionary advanced base at Antonio Bautista Air Base to prepare for the exercise, according to 1st Battalion commander Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman. The goal was to sharpen tactics designed to combat adversaries in a maritime environment like Palawan’s, a significant shift from training in the Californian desert.

The event’s fire support officer, 1st Lt. Graham Clark, meticulously coordinated the deployment of munitions, aircraft, and personnel to ensure safe and effective operations during the live-fire exercise. Reflecting on the challenge of preparing for this drill, Clark noted the complexities of training in such a vastly different environment, emphasizing that this simulation is crucial for developing combat readiness in the Western Pacific region.

The Kamandag exercise not only strengthens the alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines but also provides both nations with valuable experience in defending against hostile amphibious assaults.

USS Washington Awarded Presidential Unit Citation for Outstanding Intelligence Operations

On October 22, 2024, the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack submarine USS Washington, known as the “Blackfish,” was honored with the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation for its exceptional performance during a recent deployment to the European theater. The Virginia-class submarine earned this recognition for its critical role in securing vital intelligence during operations within the U.S. Sixth Fleet’s area of responsibility, the Navy revealed in a statement.

The Presidential Unit Citation is one of the highest honors a U.S. military unit can receive, awarded for extraordinary heroism and distinguished performance in action against enemy forces. The Navy’s submarine service has a rich history of clandestine missions that have only been declassified in recent decades, and the USS Washington continues this legacy with its most recent achievements.

According to the Navy, the Washington successfully completed three highly demanding missions crucial to national security, gathering sensitive intelligence that remains classified due to the nature of the operations. No further details have been disclosed, with Navy officials citing the sensitive nature of the deployment.

The USS Washington departed its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, in May 2023 and returned in mid-December of the same year. During its six-month deployment, the submarine operated within the Sixth Fleet’s jurisdiction, which oversees waters in the European theater, including those surrounding Russia. The crew made notable port visits to Faslane, Scotland, and Grotsund, Norway, both key locations for NATO operations.

In addition to the Presidential Unit Citation, the crew of the Washington was awarded the newly introduced Arctic Service Medal, recognizing their remarkable efforts during operations in the Arctic region. The submarine’s extended presence in the Sixth Fleet’s operational area earned it the distinction of having spent more days on station than any other East Coast deployment on record. The Navy praised the crew’s exceptional planning, discipline, and resource management, which allowed the Washington to remain mission-ready for extended periods without immediate support.

Vice Adm. Rob Gaucher, commander of the Navy’s submarine forces, described the Presidential Unit Citation as a profound honor, highlighting the crew’s remarkable commitment to national security. “Their work in challenging, high-risk environments demonstrates the critical role our submarines play in maintaining maritime security and global stability,” Gaucher said.

The USS Washington joins a distinguished list of submarines recognized for their covert intelligence missions. Before the Washington, the Seawolf-class submarine USS Jimmy Carter was awarded the same honor in 2013 for a highly classified mission known as “Mission 7.” The Carter’s work continued a tradition of excellence initiated by its predecessor, the USS Parche, widely considered the most decorated vessel in U.S. naval history.

The USS Washington’s achievements were formally recognized during a change of command ceremony on July 19, 2024, at Naval Station Norfolk, where outgoing commander Capt. Timothy Poe presented the citation to the crew. The Washington’s deployment and success in gathering intelligence further solidify the vital role of the Navy’s silent service in safeguarding national interests and contributing to global security.

USS Beloit to Join U.S. Navy Fleet in November Commissioning Ceremony

The U.S. Navy’s newest combat ship, the USS Beloit (LCS 29), will officially join the fleet in a commissioning ceremony set for Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Milwaukee. This Freedom-variant littoral combat ship will be the first Navy vessel to bear the name of Beloit, Wisconsin, paying tribute to the city’s long-standing contributions to the Navy, particularly through the Fairbanks Morse plant, which has supplied engines for numerous Navy ships and submarines.

The commissioning ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., with a livestream available to the public starting at 9:45 a.m. Retired Army Maj. Gen. Marcia M. Anderson, the ship’s sponsor, will issue the traditional command to “Man our ship and bring her to life!”—a significant Navy custom marking the official entry of the USS Beloit into active service. Following the command, the commissioning pennant will be hoisted, symbolizing the ship’s readiness and inclusion in the U.S. Navy fleet.

After the ceremony, the USS Beloit will depart Milwaukee and make its way to its assigned homeport at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida.