Deployed U.S. Troops Reflect on Memorial Day While Serving Abroad | RED Friday May 23, 2025
As the nation prepares for Memorial Day weekend, Americans at home are firing up grills, making plans with loved ones, and placing flags on graves in solemn remembrance. But for thousands of U.S. service members deployed around the globe, Memorial Day carries a weight far deeper than a holiday—it is a moment of reflection, duty, and unwavering remembrance.
This RED Friday, Connecticut Veterans Bulletin honors those in uniform who will spend Memorial Day far from home, from the rugged terrain of Kosovo and the isolated mountain villages of Morocco to the strategic waters of the Sulu Sea.
Standing Watch in Kosovo
As Army National Guard Soldiers prepare for deployment to Kosovo, they are training tirelessly for peacekeeping missions under Operation Joint Guardian. These Soldiers, part of the NATO-led KFOR mission, represent more than operational readiness—they embody a promise to preserve peace in a fragile region. For them, Memorial Day is not a distant observance. It is lived out in every step of their mission—serving side-by-side with allies while honoring the memory of the fallen who once stood where they now stand.
Healing in Morocco
In the rural mountain town of Anzi, Morocco, members of the Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Medical Group are offering more than dental care as part of African Lion 2025—they are offering compassion and humanity. As they pull long shifts caring for patients in makeshift field clinics, the Airmen of the 151st carry the stories of those lost in combat with them. Their healing hands are a living tribute to the ideals of service that define Memorial Day.
Safeguarding Waters in the Sulu Sea
In the Sulu Sea, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton recently completed cooperative maritime exercises with the Philippine Coast Guard. The crew trains for every contingency—search and seizure, division tactics, maritime domain awareness—yet this weekend, each task is performed with solemn appreciation for those who gave their lives defending freedom on the sea. Memorial Day, for these Coast Guardsmen, is honored by continuing the work of safeguarding liberty through international cooperation.
Memorial Day Through the Eyes of the Deployed
For the men and women serving abroad, Memorial Day is not only a time to remember—it is a recommitment to the cause for which their brothers and sisters died. It is the sound of taps in a far-off camp, the quiet salute at dawn, the unfurled flag waving in the dust of foreign soil.
On this RED Friday, we wear red not only to remember everyone deployed but to remind ourselves why they serve: for those who never returned and for the values we continue to uphold in their memory.
To our deployed troops this Memorial Day weekend—your sacrifice, presence, and courage do not go unnoticed. You honor the fallen with every step you take in uniform.
Army National Guard’s Task Force Tiger Undergoes Intensive Training Ahead of Kosovo Peacekeeping Deployment
20 May 2025
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — Over 500 Army National Guard soldiers, collectively known as Task Force Tiger, are undergoing intensive training at Fort Cavazos in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Kosovo. This deployment supports the NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command-East (KFOR RC-E), a peacekeeping mission aimed at maintaining a safe and secure environment in the region.
Diverse Composition of Task Force Tiger
Task Force Tiger is primarily composed of soldiers from the Louisiana Army National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). However, it also includes units from several other states, reflecting a broad national commitment:
- 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion (Michigan)
- 101st Public Affairs Detachment (Delaware)
- 328th Military Police Platoon (New Jersey)
- 223rd Finance Detachment (California)
- Additional personnel from Kentucky and California Army National Guards
This nationwide composition ensures Task Force Tiger brings a wide range of skills and expertise to its mission in Kosovo.
Rigorous Training Regimen
The soldiers are participating in a series of culminating training events specifically designed to mirror the real-world conditions they will face during their deployment. These exercises, developed and overseen by First Army, are intended to test the readiness and interoperability of the units.
One scenario involved a simulated vehicle rollover with multiple casualties, requiring the integration of aviation, military police, and public affairs elements to conduct a coordinated medical evacuation. This kind of training prepares soldiers for rapid response under pressure.
“The units have been training very hard across the board in every training event,” said Col. Jonathan Lloyd, commander of the 256th IBCT. “All of that is making the force better prepared to do their jobs, and as a result, they will be better prepared to react to anything that happens down range.”
Mission Objectives in Kosovo
KFOR was established in June 1999 to maintain peace and security in Kosovo following conflict in the region. With troops from 27 NATO and partner nations, KFOR works to support freedom of movement and ensure the safety of all ethnic communities.
Task Force Tiger will conduct patrols, engage with local communities, and partner with regional authorities to fulfill KFOR’s objectives during its mission.
Strategic Importance
The deployment of Task Force Tiger highlights the ongoing role of the U.S. military in supporting global peace and stability. It also reflects the importance of the Balkans to broader international security efforts.
As Task Force Tiger concludes its final preparations, the soldiers demonstrate the readiness, professionalism, and commitment to duty that define the Army National Guard. Their presence in Kosovo will contribute meaningfully to peacekeeping and regional cooperation.
Utah Air National Guard Delivers Essential Dental Care During African Lion 2025
ANZI, Morocco — May 20, 2025
The Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Medical Group is providing vital dental care to Moroccan civilians as part of the African Lion 2025 exercise. Operating from a mobile field clinic in the rural community of Anzi, the team is delivering comprehensive dental services, including extractions, cleanings, and oral health education.
This mission is part of the Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) component of African Lion 2025, the largest annual joint military exercise on the African continent. African Lion 2025 spans four countries—Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia—and includes participation from over 10,000 personnel representing more than 50 nations, including seven NATO allies.
Major Kyle Sansom, a general dentist with the 151st Medical Group, is leading the Utah Air National Guard’s dental team on its first African Lion mission. The field setup includes portable chairs, sterilization units, suction systems, and high- and low-speed dental tools, allowing the team to provide professional-level care in austere, remote conditions.
“This is my first African Lion trip,” said Maj. Sansom. “Everything has exceeded my expectations—from the food to the environment, to the people, to the other military members. It’s been a really good experience.”
The dental mission not only improves immediate access to health care for underserved populations in Morocco, but it also helps prepare U.S. and allied military forces for future joint humanitarian and contingency operations. These real-world engagements strengthen international partnerships and help build long-term trust with local communities.
The Utah Air National Guard’s work in Anzi stands as a testament to the U.S. military’s dual commitment to operational readiness and global humanitarian outreach. The integration of medical care into multinational exercises like African Lion enhances strategic cooperation while making a direct, positive impact on civilian lives.
U.S. and Philippine Coast Guards Enhance Maritime Security Through Joint Exercises in Sulu Sea
SULU SEA — May 20, 2025
The United States and Philippine Coast Guards successfully conducted a joint maritime exercise in the Sulu Sea as part of the sixth iteration of their Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA). These operations strengthened bilateral defense ties and focused on enhancing interoperability in key mission areas including maritime domain awareness, coordinated maneuvering, and law enforcement at sea.
The exercise featured the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752) operating alongside the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403). Together, the teams practiced division tactics, vessel escort procedures, and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations.
The training aimed to boost capabilities in identifying and responding to maritime threats while reinforcing operational coordination between both nations’ maritime forces.
Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, emphasized the strategic importance of the operation. “Maritime Cooperative Activities help us continue to build strong military-to-military ties with our Philippine allies. Each iteration advances our shared goals to maintain regional stability and maritime security,” he said.
Following the Sulu Sea drills, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton is scheduled to participate in a trilateral maritime exercise with the Philippines and Japan, expanding multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
This successful engagement affirms the U.S. and Philippine Coast Guards’ shared commitment to protecting international waters, fostering security partnerships, and enhancing regional readiness through joint maritime efforts.
