Curious about what’s happening in the Army right now? This quick roundup covers five of the most interesting stories from the past week.
U.S. & Panama Pilot Jungle Training Course
U.S. Marines and Panamanian security forces teamed up in mid‑August for a week‑long pilot jungle survival course at Panama’s Aeronaval Base Cristóbal Colón. The joint program, developed with the Army’s Jungle Operations Training Center, taught survival skills, herbal medicine, tactical combat care and patrol tactics in dense jungle terrain. Medical teams supported with HH‑60 Black Hawk helicopters for medical evacuation training. The exercise strengthened bilateral security cooperation and interoperability. (Read more…)
Military Spouse Paid Fellowship Program Expands
Great news for military families: the Defense Department’s Military Spouse Career Accelerator is becoming permanent on Jan. 1, 2026. Applications pause on Sept. 1, 2025 while the pilot transitions to the new program. When applications reopen, stipends for participating spouses will increase by 50%. The 12‑week fellowships connect spouses with employers; so far, 86% of participants have received job offers, with over 4,600 applications and 1,200 placements. More than 500 employers are involved. (Read more…)
First‑Ever Drone‑on‑Drone Strike
Army paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade made history in August by destroying a flying aircraft using a first‑person‑view (FPV) drone carrying an explosive charge. The strike took place during an Unmanned Aerial Systems summit at Fort Rucker, Alabama, after weeks of rehearsals and technical tinkering. Leaders say low‑cost FPV drones could help small units counter enemy drones and protect their formations. (Read more…)
Stinger Live Fire Debuts in Indonesia
During the multinational Super Garuda Shield 25 exercise in Indonesia, soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division fired FIM‑92 Stinger missiles for the first time in Indonesia. The shoulder‑launched missile takes down low‑flying aircraft and drones, and about 100 service members from the U.S., Indonesia, Australia and Canada supported the event. For many soldiers, it was their first chance to fire a Stinger, boosting confidence and demonstrating air‑defense readiness. (Read more…)
Georgia Guard Leads the Way in Electromagnetic Warfare
The Georgia Army National Guard’s new 111th Electromagnetic Warfare Company is quickly becoming an Army leader in the electromagnetic spectrum. In August, the unit conducted Operation Golden Corridor, its first field exercise, to sharpen skills like spectrum mapping, radio‑frequency detection and alternative radar awareness. Leaders say the training benefits aviation units as well, proving that electromagnetic warfare and cyber operations will be integral to future combat. (Read more…)
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