JUNE 5, 2026 - Arkansas National Guardsmen with the 239th Brigade Engineer Battalion took a break from digging trenches in the training area at Fort Chaffee to conduct a combat field test, June 3, 2026. The CFT was offered as a diagnostic fitness test over the first few days of annual training, and it was open to any Soldier regardless of their occupational specialty or … [Read more...]
Understanding TRICARE Deductibles
JUNE 5, 2026 - Have you ever heard the word "deductible" and wondered what it means? You aren’t alone. Healthcare cost terms can be tricky, but we’re here to make them easy to understand. "A deductible is a set amount of money you must pay out of pocket before TRICARE starts to pay for your care," said Debra Fisher, TRICARE health system specialist, TRICARE Health Plan, at … [Read more...]
Guard Begins ‘Drone Dominance’ Training
JUNE 5, 2026 – There’s a lot of buzz at Fort Indiantown Gap right now. Some of it is literally coming from the numerous unmanned aircraft systems – commonly known as drones – that are flying over the installation. A lot is figuratively surrounding a new drone training program that began this week. As part of the Department of War’s “Drone Dominance” program, the Fort … [Read more...]
Exercise Launches Multinational Air Combat Training
JUNE 5, 2026 - Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 26-2 commenced May 28, bringing together more than 2,100 service members from the U.S. and partner nations for realistic air combat training at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The exercise integrates joint and coalition forces into a realistic threat environment using the approximate 120,000 square … [Read more...]
Summer Spike in Military Retirements: Easing the Transition to Civilian Life
JUNE 5, 2026 - There are typically about 95,000 to 110,000 retirements from the military in a given year, as service members conclude careers that have often spanned more than two decades, crossing the 20-year service threshold required to access military retirement benefits. These retirements tend to steadily occur as the year rolls on; however, they often see a large surge … [Read more...]