The first C-130J Super Hercules mission in support of U.S. Air Forces Africa, or 17th Air Force, opened up doors to a future partnership of support between the 86th Airlift Wing and upcoming missions into Africa. The mission's aircraft commander, Maj. Robert May of the 37th Airlift Squadron, and his crew were tasked to fly into Mali Dec. 19 to bring home 17 troops who were assisting with training Malian forces. The significance of this mission is two-fold, Major May said. "First, we now recognize the capability of the J-model aircraft," he said.

For most of us, the end of one year and the beginning of another is a time to reflect on the past and make resolutions for the future.  This past year, my FOX News team and I were embedded with America’s finest: the men and women of our Armed Forces, during our 16th trip to report on the fight against radical Islamic terror. It has been my great blessing to have spent most of my life in the company of real American heroes, all our soldiers, sail

As New Yorkers and visitors gear up for New Year's Eve celebrations, the citizen-Soldiers of the New York National Guard remain on duty in support of homeland security missions across the state. At the direction of New York Gov.

After more than nine months of work and $12 million in funding, a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules became the first aircraft to utilize a new apron at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), Dec. 22, marking the beginning of operational missions on the apron known as 'Enduring Ramp'. "Initially, Camp Lemonnier was built as an expeditionary base with expeditionary hardware," said Lt. j.g. John Woods, the air operations officer at CLDJ.

The Navy took delivery of its newest attack submarine, PCU New Mexico (SSN 779), from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) Dec. 29, four months earlier than its contract delivery date. New Mexico is the sixth Virginia-class submarine and the third delivered by NGSB. "New Mexico performed superbly on sea trials," said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer for submarines. "Her early delivery keeps us firmly on pace for a 60-month construction span by the end of the Block II contract." Capt.

Members of Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines taught more than 40 officers from the Philippine National Police techniques for identifying homemade bombs in Zamboanga del Norte province Dec. 22-23. Law enforcement in Zamboanga regularly comes across suspected IEDs and often have to investigate individuals accused of making homemade bombs, making this training imperative to perform their duties. "The purpose of the class was to teach the bomb squads what to look for when searching a property of someone who is suspected of making explosives.

The New York Military Forces Honor Guard rendered military honors at the funerals of more than 10,400 former Army members, mostly from the World War II generation, in 2009. However, there are still Soldiers being buried out there who don't get the honors they are entitled to because they or their families don't realize what they are owed by their country, said Donald E. Roy, the director of Honor Guard. The Honor Guard is comprised of New York Army National Guard Soldiers who perform these duties in addition to their military and civilians jobs.

Sailors from Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Hawaii, NIOC San Diego, and NIOC Whidbey Island are playing a crucial role in the daily operations of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. The capacity to acquire, analyze, and apply pertinent information enables the ready group's Sailors and Marines to execute the maritime security mission and respond to disasters around the globe. "Our job is to make sure we don't get surprised," says Chief Cryptologic Technician Collection (SW/EXP) Naomi Richards, a leading member of the team.

Sgt. Major Alvin Chaplin likes to compare a chaplain assistant to an entire infantry company rolled into one Soldier. "In order to get the job done, he or she has to be able to do it all -- company clerk, supply person, motor sergeant and combatant. The chaplain assistant has to set the conditions for the chaplain to succeed and the commander to execute the unit's religious programs," said Chaplin, U.S. Army Forces Command's senior chaplain assistant, Chaplin made his observation on the occasion of the Army's celebrating the centennial of the Army chaplain assistants Dec. 28.