RED Friday: Honoring the Brave—U.S. Troops Standing Watch Around the World While Families Stand Strong at Home

Every Friday across the country, Americans wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed. But for the families of U.S. service members deployed right now—whether navigating tense waters near the United Kingdom, carrying out precision strikes in the Middle East, or standing guard in joint training exercises across Europe—RED Friday is not just a symbol. It’s personal.

This week, U.S. troops are actively engaged on several critical fronts, each mission a testament to their sacrifice and resolve. Thousands of miles from home, they serve with the full knowledge that their families carry a quiet burden of their own—waiting, hoping, and supporting from afar.

USS Bulkeley in Scotland: Defending Atlantic Waters

On April 30, the USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, arrived at His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland. The ship’s crew joins a multinational presence securing the North Atlantic—a region of renewed strategic importance. Their work helps safeguard NATO waters and ensures freedom of navigation alongside Royal Navy counterparts. Each sailor aboard the Bulkeley leaves behind a family committed to a different kind of duty—managing daily life, often alone, until the mission is complete.

Operation Rough Rider: Aircrews and Ground Support Strike in Yemen

In the Middle East, U.S. forces remain in harm’s way as Operation Rough Rider continues its mission to disrupt Houthi militant operations in Yemen. As of April 27, over 800 airstrikes have been carried out, targeting leadership nodes and weapons systems used in attacks on international shipping. These missions—flown by American pilots, directed by intelligence analysts, and supported by logistics crews around the clock—represent some of the most demanding and dangerous assignments in today’s global fight against terrorism. For each flight launched, there’s a parent, spouse, or child back home counting the days until the next call comes through.

Task Force Tamiok: Pacific Presence and Partnership

On April 29, Task Force Tamiok concluded its mission in Papua New Guinea with a formal closing ceremony recognizing the combined efforts of U.S. and PNG forces. This rotational deployment brought American Soldiers and Marines together with local forces to train, support civil infrastructure, and demonstrate America’s enduring commitment to Pacific allies. Troops on this deployment worked under grueling conditions, often in remote jungle terrain, far from the comforts of home—but always under the watchful thoughts of their loved ones.

Families: The Homefront Heroes

While these stories capture just a fraction of U.S. military missions abroad, the families left stateside deserve equal honor. They endure birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays without their loved ones. They watch the news with worry, raise children alone, and hold on tightly to every FaceTime call and handwritten letter. Their quiet courage is woven into every mission’s success.

This RED Friday, the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin community salutes them all.

To the crews aboard the USS Bulkeley navigating Scotland’s cold waters, to the pilots and ground crews risking their lives in the Middle East, to the service members training under the sun in the Pacific, and to every family holding down the fort back home—thank you. You are not forgotten. You are deeply appreciated.

Until they all come home—we wear red.

Tamiok Strike 2025 Concludes with Record Participation, Strengthening U.S.–Papua New Guinea Military Ties

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — The fifth iteration of Exercise Tamiok Strike concluded on April 29, 2025, with a closing ceremony at the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) headquarters in Murray Barracks, Port Moresby. This annual bilateral training exercise between the PNGDF and the U.S. Army has evolved into a significant symbol of growing military cooperation and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

A Milestone in Bilateral Defense Cooperation

This year’s exercise marked a major milestone with the PNGDF fielding six company-level units—an increase from one or two units in past years. Brigadier General Opa Lari, PNGDF Deputy Chief of Defence Force, described the increased participation as a sign of progress in the exercise’s development and a reflection of the deepening relationship between the PNGDF and U.S. military forces.

Major General Lance A. Okamura, Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific – Homeland Affairs, echoed the sentiment, stating that Exercise Tamiok Strike has matured into a strong example of multilateral cooperation and preparedness, essential to ensuring a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region.

Comprehensive Training Enhances Readiness

The two-week exercise included an extensive variety of training activities. Soldiers from both countries engaged in staff planning exercises, medical training, infantry tactics, and engineering missions. Notably, they worked together on infrastructure development, including the construction of a new bunkhouse to support future PNGDF operations.

These joint efforts improved partner interoperability and helped build capacity to respond not only to military threats but also humanitarian and disaster relief needs throughout the region.

U.S. Army participants included personnel from the 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion – Enhanced, and the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Major Jessica Coffey, officer in charge of the U.S. Army forces, praised the success of the training and the strengthened relationships with both the PNGDF and the Australian Defence Force.

Strategic Significance in the Indo-Pacific

Since its launch in 2021, Tamiok Strike has become a cornerstone of U.S.–Papua New Guinea military engagement. What began as a modest bilateral training event has developed into a comprehensive exercise aligning with broader strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific.

The growth of the exercise reflects the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening defense capabilities and fostering long-term regional security. It also demonstrates the PNGDF’s expanding capabilities and the United States’ role in supporting partner forces in the Pacific.

The successful conclusion of Tamiok Strike 2025 reaffirms the importance of continued collaboration between the United States and Papua New Guinea. As both countries look toward future engagements, the exercise stands as a testament to unity, readiness, and shared commitment in an increasingly dynamic strategic environment.