Every Friday, we wear red to send a simple, yet unshakable message to those serving far from home: you are not forgotten. RED Friday—Remember Everyone Deployed—is more than a tradition; it is a nationwide pledge of respect, gratitude, and solidarity.
This week, the stories of service span the globe and remind us why this observance matters.
In Armenia, U.S. service members joined their Armenian counterparts for the annual Eagle Partner 2025 exercise. These joint operations strengthen alliances, sharpen readiness, and prepare forces for rapid response. For the families back home, deployments like these mean weeks or months apart, trusting that the training underway overseas safeguards their loved ones and strengthens global stability.
High above the northern Philippine Sea, the launch of an F‑35B from Japan’s JS Kaga, alongside the British carrier HMS Prince of Wales, showcased advanced international naval cooperation. While the world witnesses precision and power, families know the personal side: the long hours, the missions away from home, and the quiet pride in their service member contributing to something far greater than themselves.
And in Bahrain, the arrival of the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group highlights the ongoing commitment of U.S. forces in critical regions. For sailors aboard, this is another chapter in a long mission; for those waiting at home, it is a reminder that freedom and security are upheld by dedication, vigilance, and sacrifice.
These deployments, exercises, and operations are more than headlines—they are lived experiences. Every mission reflects countless acts of courage and dedication, both abroad and at home.
So this Friday, as we wear red, let us remember not only the faces in uniform but also the families, friends, and communities who stand ready in support. RED Friday honors the full story—the mission, the service, and the hearts waiting for a safe return.
USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Anchors in Bahrain, Reinforcing Gulf Security
USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Anchors in Bahrain, Reinforcing Gulf Security
Manama, Bahrain — On 11 August 2025, the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11, entered Khalifa bin Salman Port in Bahrain on a scheduled port visit within U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility. Escorting the carrier were Carrier Air Wing 17 and guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley (DDG-101) and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123)—marking the first U.S. carrier visit to Bahrain since 2020.
Rear Adm. Fred Goldhammer, commander of the strike group, emphasized the strategic importance of the visit:
“Nimitz’s port visit underscores Bahrain’s vital role as an important hub for U.S. Navy operations in the region… we remain grateful for Bahrain’s steadfast support and hospitality.”
Over its nearly five decades of service, the USS Nimitz has embodied forward U.S. naval presence. Now slated for deactivation by 2027, the visit underscores the carrier’s ongoing mission relevance amid evolving tensions in the Gulf.
Strategically located chokepoints—like the Strait of Hormuz—lie within this region, making Bahrain’s logistical support indispensable for maintaining readiness and freedom of navigation. The port visit also builds upon a 70-year U.S.–Bahrain defense partnership underpinned by agreements such as the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement.
Historic F-35B Cross-Decking Marks Milestone in Allied Naval Interoperability
Historic F-35B Cross-Decking Marks Milestone in Allied Naval Interoperability
On 12 August 2025, a Royal Navy F-35B Lightning stealth fighter made history—taking off from and landing on Japan’s JS Kaga in the northern Philippine Sea, alongside fellow operations aboard the HMS Prince of Wales. This marks the first-ever British F-35B operation from a Japanese carrier, in a high-stakes trilateral naval exercise involving the UK, Japan, and the United States.
A Three-Nation Naval Powerhouse
This milestone unfolded during Operation Highmast, a nine-day multinational training operation uniting four aircraft carrier task groups:
HMS Prince of Wales (UK)
JS Kaga (Japan)
USS George Washington (USA)
USS America (USMC amphibious carrier)
These vessels, supported by ships from Australia, Spain, Norway, and others, formed one of the most powerful naval formations currently operating—delivering a unified signal of strength and commitment to regional security.
Training for Tomorrow’s Threats
Pilots conducted advanced operations, including tactical intercepts, maritime strike drills, dogfights, and flypasts overhead HMS Prince of Wales. Allied aircraft—F-35Bs and F-35Cs from the U.S., UK, and Japan—demonstrated seamless integration during these live-action evolutions.
As Commander James Blackmore, UK Carrier Strike Group leader, put it:
“Operating together during the many evolutions… demonstrates the enhanced interoperability and the commitment of our partners and allies to the Indo-Pacific region.”
Eagle Partner 2025: U.S. and Armenian Forces Deepen Peacekeeping Readiness in Yerevan
Eagle Partner 2025: U.S. and Armenian Forces Deepen Peacekeeping Readiness in Yerevan
Yerevan, Armenia — On 12 August 2025, Armenia and the United States officially kicked off Eagle Partner 2025, their annual joint peacekeeping exercise, which will run through 20 August. Now in its third consecutive year, this significant training effort underscores the two nations’ growing defense partnership and commitment to international stability.
A Ceremony of Partnership
The opening ceremony, marked by ceremonial march-pasts and national anthems of both countries, was attended by high-level officials—including Armenia’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, and U.S. Ambassador Kristina Kvien. Participants include troops from Armenia’s Peacekeeping Brigade, elements of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard.
Training Focus: Practical Skills, Real-World Readiness
Eagle Partner 2025 places a sharp focus on enhancing readiness for peacekeeping missions, with key training components including:
Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) procedures, vital for rapid casualty response
Tactical and command communications, improving coordination across units
Interoperability practices between U.S. and Armenian peacekeepers
Building on a Strong Foundation
Past editions of Eagle Partner have already yielded tangible gains. In 2023, U.S. service members from the Kansas National Guard and the 101st Airborne Division trained alongside Armenian troops in riot control, casualty evacuation simulations, and squad live-fire drills. In 2024, interpreters—including U.S. personnel of Armenian descent from various branches—played a vital role in bridging communication gaps and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Strategic Context & Regional Significance
Eagle Partner occurs amid a broader shift in Armenia’s defense posture. Having begun reducing reliance on Russia and suspending participation in the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, Armenia seeks new partners. Russian officials have publicly expressed concern over Armenia’s growing military alignment with the U.S.
