Honoring Our Deployed Heroes: RED FRIDAY, June 7, 2024
On this RED FRIDAY, June 7, 2024, we come together to honor and show our profound appreciation for all U.S. military personnel currently deployed around the globe. Today, we wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed and to express our gratitude for the sacrifices they make every day to protect our freedom and ensure national security.
What is RED FRIDAY?
RED FRIDAY stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. It is a movement that encourages people to wear red on Fridays to show support for the men and women who are serving in the military, especially those deployed away from home. The red symbolizes the blood shed by our brave service members and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices they and their families make for our country.
By wearing red, we acknowledge their commitment, express our solidarity, and remind ourselves and others of the importance of supporting our troops. It’s a simple yet powerful way to demonstrate our respect and appreciation for those who put their lives on the line to safeguard our freedoms.
Summaries of Recent Military Activities
- Routine ICBM Test Launch: On June 4, the U.S. Air Force conducted a successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM. This routine test ensures the safety, security, and reliability of America’s nuclear deterrent, showcasing the readiness and capability of our military.
- 102nd ISR Group Mission Resumption: On June 1, the 102nd Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group resumed its intelligence mission after a period of suspension due to a security breach. This reinstatement underscores the resilience and dedication of our military personnel.
- Valiant Shield 24: From June 7-18, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command joint forces and allied partners will participate in Exercise Valiant Shield 2024. This multinational exercise aims to enhance interoperability and readiness, demonstrating our commitment to global security and cooperation.
The Importance of RED FRIDAY
RED FRIDAY is more than just a day to wear a specific color; it’s a movement that brings communities together to support those who defend our nation. Here’s why it’s important:
- Visibility and Awareness: Wearing red increases visibility and awareness of the ongoing sacrifices made by our deployed service members. It sparks conversations and keeps the focus on the challenges they face.
- Community Support: It fosters a sense of community and solidarity. When people see others wearing red, it reinforces the collective support for our troops and their families.
- Moral Boost: For deployed service members, knowing that people back home are thinking of them and appreciating their efforts can be a significant morale booster. It reminds them that their sacrifices are recognized and valued.
- Family and Friends: It also supports the families and friends of those deployed, showing them that their loved ones’ service is appreciated and that they are not alone.
How to Participate
Participating in RED FRIDAY is simple:
- Wear Red: On Fridays, wear something red—a shirt, hat, ribbon, or any other item.
- Share: Use social media to share why you’re wearing red and encourage others to do the same. Use hashtags like #REDFRIDAY, #RememberEveryoneDeployed, and #SupportOurTroops.
- Engage: Take a moment to learn about the experiences and challenges faced by deployed service members and their families. Share this knowledge with others.
By participating in RED FRIDAY, we honor the brave men and women who serve our country and ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten. Let us come together this RED FRIDAY to Remember Everyone Deployed and show our unwavering support for our troops.
Massachusetts Air National Guard to Resume Intelligence Mission After Security Breach
Friday, May 31, 2024
The Air Force announced on Friday that a Massachusetts Air National Guard unit will resume its intelligence mission, which was suspended following a major security breach last year. The 102nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (ISR Group) will recommence its operations on June 1, providing critical analysis to combatant commands worldwide. This decision comes after approval from the head of Air Combat Command, the authority overseeing intelligence units, as confirmed by Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek.
The suspension of the group’s mission occurred after Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira leaked highly classified military documents. These documents, which included sensitive information about the war in Ukraine and other national security secrets, were shared on the social media platform Discord over several months. The breach, considered one of the largest in recent history, prompted a significant investigation and reallocation of the group’s duties to other Air Force organizations.
Teixeira, who worked as an information technology specialist with the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in March to collecting and distributing classified information. His actions led to a substantial federal investigation, and he is scheduled to be sentenced in September in Boston’s federal court. Teixeira has agreed to a prison sentence that could last nearly 17 years. Additionally, he faces charges within the military justice system.
An Air Force investigation, the results of which were released in December, revealed that Teixeira’s superiors had repeatedly instructed him to cease his unauthorized intelligence activities. However, they failed to appropriately report suspicious behavior. This lapse in oversight led to disciplinary actions against fifteen individuals connected to the leak, including the removal of some from their command positions.
The reinstatement of the 102nd ISR Group’s mission follows a thorough recertification process led by Air Combat Command. This process involved the implementation of a new organizational structure designed to enhance the oversight of the group’s operations. According to Stefanek, “The inspection teams, with participation from members of the headquarters staff, evaluated the remaining open deficiencies and sampled security procedures and culture across the wing.”
The renewed mission of the 102nd ISR Group is a crucial step in restoring confidence and functionality within the Air Force’s intelligence community. This unit will once again play a vital role in providing comprehensive intelligence analysis essential for combatant commands across the globe.
Conclusion
The return of the 102nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group to its full operational capacity marks a significant recovery from the setback caused by one of the most substantial security breaches in recent history. With enhanced oversight and reinforced security measures, the Air Force aims to prevent future incidents and ensure the integrity of its intelligence operations. The upcoming sentencing of Jack Teixeira and the disciplinary actions taken underscore the serious consequences of breaching national security protocols.
### Allies Come Together in the Indo-Pacific: Valiant Shield 24
#### 05 June 2024
PEARL HARBOR – U.S. Indo-Pacific Command joint forces, along with allied and partner forces, are scheduled to participate in exercise Valiant Shield (VS) 2024 from June 7-18. This comprehensive exercise will take place on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and in the seas surrounding the Mariana Island Range Complex.
VS24 is a biennial and, for the first time, a multinational joint field training exercise (FTX) that emphasizes integration between U.S. and allied forces across multiple domains. The exercise aims to enhance real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces by detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging adversary units across various environments including sea, air, space, land, and cyberspace. With the participation of U.S. Space Command, VS24 expands multi-domain collaboration essential for large-scale operations.
“Valiant Shield provides us a unique opportunity to operate and engage with our allies and partners and to demonstrate our shared commitment to global security and stability,” said Adm. Stephen T. Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “It takes all of us to maintain a safe, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific, as we flex our joint and combined capabilities to advance multi-domain operations.”
The exercise is designed to prepare the Joint and Combined Force to rapidly respond to crises and contingencies, covering a spectrum of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to armed conflict. This integrated training enhances the ability of U.S., allied, and partner forces to project regional and global power, refining the necessary skills to defend shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
VS24 allows forces across the Indo-Pacific to integrate the capabilities of the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and partner nations. This integration enables training in precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects, showcasing the strength and versatility of the Joint and Combined Force. The involvement of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Transportation Command further expands cross-Combatant Command collaboration, a critical component of any large-scale exercise or operation.
“Exercises like VS24 are crucial for developing interoperability and real-world proficiency among our forces and those of our allies,” said Adm. Koehler. “They enable us to synchronize our efforts and capabilities, ensuring we are ready to meet any challenge that arises.”
Valiant Shield 2024 marks the 10th iteration of this exercise, which began in 2006. It continues to play a vital role in enhancing the preparedness and cohesion of the Joint and Combined Force in the Indo-Pacific.
For media imagery and stories regarding Valiant Shield, please visit [here](https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ValiantShield).
### Conclusion
Valiant Shield 24 epitomizes the spirit of international cooperation and military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. Through this exercise, U.S. and allied forces reaffirm their commitment to maintaining regional stability and security, demonstrating their capability to respond to any potential threats or crises with precision and unity.
U.S. Air Force Conducts Routine ICBM Test Launch to Ensure Nuclear Deterrence
Demonstrating Safety, Security, and Reliability of America’s Nuclear Capabilities
In a display of ongoing commitment to national and international security, the U.S. Air Force has successfully conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as part of routine and periodic activities. This test is designed to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable, and effective against 21st-century threats. This latest test marks one of over 300 such launches in history, unrelated to any current world events.
“Our Strikers and our nuclear mission are the bedrock of our nation’s defense and international security,” said Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). “As part of that mission, our ICBM force provides 24/7 strategic deterrence and stands ready to respond at a moment’s notice as the most responsive leg of the nuclear triad. Our test launches demonstrate and confirm our readiness to deliver a safe, secure, effective, and credible global combat capability.”
The ICBM’s re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles, landing at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on the U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The site’s sensors, which include high-fidelity metric and signature radars, optical sensors, and telemetry, play a critical role in supporting the research, development, test, and evaluation of America’s defense and space programs. During these tests, the RTS team collects radar, optical, and telemetry data during the terminal phase of flight to evaluate system performance.
“RTS brings a range of sensors with decades of experience in collecting and analyzing truth data to support range customers,” said RTS director Col. Juan R. Santiago.
Col. Chris Cruise, commander of the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, emphasized the importance of these tests. “The U.S. nuclear enterprise is the cornerstone of security for our allies and partners around the globe,” he stated. “Today’s test launch is just one example of how our nation’s ICBMs, and the professional Airmen who maintain and operate them, demonstrate the readiness and reliability of the weapon system. It showcases our commitment to deterrence as we stand on continuous alert, 24/7/365.”
This test launch culminates months of preparation involving multiple government partners. Airmen from all three missile wings were selected for the task force to support the test launch, with maintenance support provided by the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. These missile bases within AFGSC have crew members standing alert 24 hours a day, year-round, overseeing the nation’s ICBM alert forces.
The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command, utilizes data collected from test launches for ongoing force development evaluation. The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States’ ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent, a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.
AFGSC, headquartered at Barksdale AFB in the Shreveport-Bossier City community, oversees the nation’s three intercontinental ballistic missile wings and the Air Force’s entire bomber force, including B-52, B-1, and B-2 wings, the Long-Range Strike Bomber program, and Air Force Nuclear Command, Control and Communications systems. The command provides operational and maintenance support to organizations within the nuclear enterprise. Approximately 33,700 professionals are assigned to two Numbered Air Forces, nine wings, two geographically separated squadrons, and one detachment in the continental U.S. and deployed globally. AFGSC marks its 15th anniversary in 2024.
Looking ahead, the LG-35A Sentinel is set to replace the Minuteman III ICBM with an initial capability expected by 2029. Until full capability is achieved in the mid-2030s, the Air Force remains committed to ensuring the Minuteman III continues to serve as a viable deterrent.
For more information on AFGSC and its missions, please visit here.
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