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Honoring Our Heroes: A Tribute to Military Appreciation Month
On this Red Friday, May 17, 2024, we come together to express our profound gratitude to the courageous men and women of the United States military. In the spirit of Military Appreciation Month, we pay homage to their unwavering commitment and sacrifice in service to our nation.
We reflect on the valor and dedication displayed by members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. From the front lines to peacekeeping missions around the globe, our military personnel exemplify courage, honor, and selflessness.
May holds special significance as Military Appreciation Month, offering us the opportunity to recognize the profound impact of our armed forces on our lives and freedoms. It’s a time to honor not only those who wear the uniform but also their families who provide unwavering support and endure the sacrifices of service.
As we celebrate Military Appreciation Month, let us take concrete actions to express our gratitude and support for our military community:
- Attend ceremonies and events honoring veterans and active-duty service members in your community.
- Volunteer with organizations that support military families, offering assistance and resources to those in need.
- Advocate for policies that enhance support services for veterans and their families, ensuring they receive the care and benefits they deserve.
- Wear red on Fridays as a symbol of solidarity and appreciation for our troops, joining the nationwide tradition of Red Fridays.
- Take a moment to thank a service member or veteran for their service and sacrifice, acknowledging the profound impact of their dedication.
Together, let us honor our heroes this Military Appreciation Month and every day, ensuring they know they are valued, respected, and appreciated for their extraordinary service to our nation.
30th CARAT Exercise Marks 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between Indonesia and the United States
On May 13, 2024, the 30th iteration of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise commenced, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the United States. CARAT Indonesia, a bilateral maritime exercise, commenced ashore in Bandar Lampung and in the Java Sea, scheduled from May 13 to May 20. The opening ceremony was led by U.S. Navy Capt. Tate Robinson, commodore of Amphibious Squadron Five, and TNI-AL Captain Ludfy, commander of the First Fleet Escort Squadron.
U.S. Navy Capt. Robinson emphasized CARAT’s role in enhancing regional maritime security by facilitating joint operations and naval competencies. With the U.S. Navy’s extensive presence in the Indo-Pacific for over 75 years and the 30-year milestone of the CARAT series, the exercise underscores the enduring commitment of the U.S. Navy to the region and its partners like Indonesia.
The exercise encompasses three major components, including a shore phase consisting of subject matter expert exchanges, jungle training, and community relations. Additionally, joint training between American and Indonesian medical forces will focus on public health promotion, education, and tactical combat casualty care. The sea phase will involve amphibious operations, known as a “full-mission profile,” aimed at enhancing operational readiness and interoperability among participating forces.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to strengthen capabilities alongside Indonesian partners. Training across various skill areas not only enhances the readiness of both forces but also fosters a stronger, integrated response to natural disasters or crises.
The USS Somerset and elements of the 15th MEU are currently engaged in routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, the 7th Fleet regularly collaborates with maritime nations to uphold regional stability and security.
Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Participate in Beyond Horizon 2024 Multinational Exercise
On May 14, 2024, National Guard Soldiers from the 117th Military Police Battalion and 269th Military Police Company joined forces with over 140 military police from five allied nations for the opening ceremony of the multinational training exercise Beyond Horizon 2024.
Over the course of nine days, approximately 20 Tennessee Guardsmen will collaborate with military police from Bulgaria, Canada, Greece, North Macedonia, and Romania to enhance combat skills and ensure compliance with NATO standards for interoperability. The training will encompass military operations on urban terrain, critical site security, detainee operations, medical evacuations, and improvised explosive device responses.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Dye, commander of the 117th Military Police Battalion, emphasized the significance of the exercise, stating, “For the first five days, each nation will have the opportunity to work together and train at the squad and platoon level.” Instructors from the 269th Military Police Company will lead various classes and training events during this initial phase.
Following the intensive training period, participating nations will engage in a joint, three-day culminating exercise. This exercise will simulate realistic scenarios such as protests, terrorist attacks, detainee escapes, and medical emergencies, providing an opportunity to test and refine response strategies.
The Tennessee National Guard’s partnership with the Bulgarian military spans over three decades, dating back to 1993 when Tennessee and Bulgaria became pioneering partners in the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Lieutenant Colonel Dye highlighted the value of such collaborations, stating, “These events are great opportunities to train with our international partners, with whom we often deploy and work overseas.”
The Beyond Horizon 2024 exercise underscores the importance of multinational cooperation in enhancing military readiness and fostering strong alliances among allied nations.
U.S. Army South Hosts Crisis Planning Conference for Exercise PANAMAX 2024
From April 22-26, U.S. Army South welcomed Joint Force planners and military representatives from five South American countries to San Antonio, Texas, for a crisis planning conference in preparation for Exercise PANAMAX 2024.
Exercise PANAMAX, sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, is a biannual multinational exercise aimed at enhancing cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations. It focuses on conducting complex, multi-domain operations to address security threats and ensure the free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal.
As the land component to U.S. Southern Command, Army South plays a pivotal role in the exercise, transitioning to Multinational Forces-South (MNFS) headquarters during PANAMAX. The conference allowed MNFS planners to exercise the Joint Planning Process and develop an operations order and wargame for the upcoming command post exercise in August.
Maj. Gen. William L. Thigpen, commander of Army South and MNFS, emphasized the significance of the exercise in fostering partnership and interoperability among participating nations. Representatives from Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, and Peru attended the conference, contributing to a diverse exchange of experiences and insights.
The crisis planning conference facilitated collaborative planning efforts, with Peruvian Navy Capt. Humberto Martinez leading the MNFS staff in identifying issues and developing courses of action. Lt. Col. Matthew Wilkinson highlighted the importance of incorporating multinational and joint forces into the exercise to enhance operational effectiveness.
Exercise PANAMAX, which began in 2003 with participants from Chile, Panama, and the United States, has evolved into the region’s largest coalition command post-exercise, reflecting the commitment of participating nations to regional security and stability.
