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Eyes on the future: Gen. Mike Guetlein visits space rapid capabilities office
June 12, 2025
Gen. Mike Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, visited Kirtland Air Force Base this week, signaling the base’s growing importance in space innovation, research and national defense.
His visit serves as a powerful acknowledgment of Kirtland AFB’s role not only in defending space but also in engaging the local community in national defense efforts.
Kirtland AFB houses several major space-related units, including the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, the Space and Missile Systems Center, and elements of the Air Force Research Laboratory.
The visit comes as space becomes increasingly competitive and central to global security competition. "Space is no longer a neutral domain.
It has become an increasingly contested environment where our adversaries are actively targeting the systems we rely on," Guetlein stated.
"Our national security is deeply tied to space-based capabilities, and we must stay ahead through innovation, adaptability and maintaining a decisive edge."
"Kirtland Air Force Base is a pivotal center for space innovation," Guetlein said.
"Organizations like the Space Rapid Capabilities Office are delivering mission-ready systems at operational speed, and AFRL’s work in space and directed energy is helping shape the future of national defense in the space domain."
As New Mexico continues to serve as a hub for innovation, Guetlein has also championed the need for a more adaptive and inventive mindset across the Space Force — one that embraces quick thinking and technical flexibility to address evolving threats.
Kirtland’s strategic role was also highlighted during the Air Fiesta, which featured a dedicated Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics hangar showcasing over 40 booths of hands-on exhibits.
The event aimed to inspire the next generation of innovators by connecting local youth with space and defense professionals.
Kirtland AFB remains a pillar of the nation's space capabilities — advancing science, defending the domain, and fostering the innovation needed to maintain U.S. leadership in orbit and beyond.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4215269/eyes-on-the-future-gen-mike-guetlein-visits-space-rapid-capabilities-office/
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4215605/space-force-guardian-escorts-wwii-airman-uncle-home-after-80-years/
Space Force Guardian Escorts WWII Airman Uncle Home After 80 Years
June 12, 2025
Just days after Memorial Day, as the nation honors those who gave their lives in service, 2nd Lt. Katherine Hendl carried out a deeply personal mission: escorting the remains of her great-great-uncle, Staff Sergeant Loring E. Lord, a U.S. Army Air Forces gunner killed in action during World War II, home to Massachusetts—nearly 80 years after he was declared missing in action.
Hendl, a newly commissioned officer assigned to Space Training and Readiness Command, is currently attending Officer Training School through the 319th Combat Training Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base.
OTC is the first phase of STARCOM’s pipeline for training new Space Force officers. The course builds foundational skills in space, cyber, and intel operations.
But this month, she took on a different kind of responsibility—one that ties her family’s past to her own future of military service.
“This isn’t something I ever imagined doing right out of training,” she said. “But being able to bring him home makes my service feel deeply personal.”
As STARCOM continues to shape the next generation of Space Force warfighters, Hendl’s participation in this tribute reflects the command’s broader commitment to cultivating Guardians who embody the values of service, sacrifice, and legacy.
Lord, a Boston native, enlisted in 1942 after leaving a civilian job at Pratt & Whitney. He trained as a mechanic gunner and deployed to Europe with the 642nd Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force.
According to records maintained by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Lord flew more than 30 combat missions prior to March 21, 1945, when his aircraft was shot down during a bombing run over Germany.
The mission was part of a broader Allied effort to disrupt German communication lines ahead of the planned Rhine River crossing, according to DPAA historical analysis.
Witness accounts documented in the Missing Air Crew Report describe intense, accurate flak over the target area. Lord’s A-26B Invader was hit directly and seen falling away from formation. No parachutes were observed.
He was listed as missing in action. His two fellow crew members’ remains were recovered and identified in 1947, but Lord’s remains were not. In 1949, the U.S. Army officially declared him non-recoverable.
For his family, the loss left decades of unanswered questions.
“There was just no way to know what had happened,” said Amy Hendl, Katherine’s mother. “Back then, families waited weeks or months for any news—if they got it at all.
My mother remembers her aunt going from hospital to hospital in Washington, D.C., hoping to find him. They didn’t know if he was missing, captured, or wounded. It was that desperate to find answers.”
Lord was 28 years old when he was killed in action. He was engaged to be married, and throughout the war, he wrote regularly to his fiancée and family.
Many of those letters have been preserved, offering a deeply personal glimpse into his life and final months. Today, 2nd Lt. Hendl’s grandmother—now 89 years old—is the last living relative who knew him.
Amy said the uncertainty became part of their family’s identity. “I grew up hearing about Uncle Loring. His picture was always on the shelf at my grandmother's and great aunt's home.
The pain of not knowing, of having no closure, was something they both carried all their lives. Now, 80 years later, we finally have an answer. And we finally get to bring him home.”
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In 2014, a German researcher contacted the DPAA with new information about a likely crash site near Gross Reken. Using wartime aerial imagery and local witness accounts, DPAA teams conducted excavations in 2018 and 2019.
Among the findings were structural aircraft components, personal effects, and a machine gun confirmed to match Lord’s aircraft. DNA analysis and forensic examination ultimately identified the remains as his. The identification was formally announced in 2024.
In April, Amy and her husband traveled to Germany to attend a ceremony hosted by the towns of Gross Reken and Coesfeld—communities that witnessed the downing of two U.S. aircraft during the same 1945 mission.
Six airmen were killed in total. The local communities unveiled a memorial plaque and held a joint remembrance for the American crews.
“It was incredibly moving,” Amy said. “We were the only family there representing Lord’s crew. The townspeople treated it with such respect. It brought peace to something our family lived with for a long time.”
Lord is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. A rosette has been placed beside his name to signify that he has been accounted for.
“For so long, he was just listed as missing,” Amy added. “Now we know. Now we can bring him home.”
Lord’s remains were returned to Boston, Massachusetts on May 29 and his final interment with full military honors was held on June 7. Hendl accompanied him to his final resting place.
“Escorting him home was a humbling and inspiring experience,” Hendl said. “The amount of care everyone put into making sure this hero was welcomed home with the highest honors was incredible. We had the support of police, firefighters, and citizens along the entire journey.
Flying with him to Boston, riding in the hearse to the funeral home, then finally driving in the procession to the cemetery – it made me reflect on the true meaning of his sacrifice and added even more weight to my own service.”
Hendl commissioned into the U.S. Space Force in 2024 after graduating from Boston University with a degree in chemistry.
She was selected through the Air Force ROTC program and is particularly interested in serving in acquisitions or space operations roles.
Though early in her career, she said the experience of ROTC and her academic background gave her confidence to pursue the Space Force path.
“He was part of the Army Air Forces. That became the Air Force, and now we have the Space Force,” she said. “It’s changed, but it’s all one legacy.”
Hendl begins her career at STARCOM as part of the Space Force’s newest generation of officers, entering service with a clear sense of where she comes from.
Her uncle’s story—carried forward through her family for generations—is finally closed. As she steps forward on her own path, she does so not only as a Guardian in training, but as a member of a family that has always answered the call to serve.
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Russia creating dedicated drone force – Putin
12 Jun, 2025 21:25
Russia is in the process of establishing drone forces as a separate branch of the military, President Vladimir Putin has said, revealing that up to half of all battlefield kills in the Ukraine conflict come from UAVs.
The president made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with top military and civilian officials dedicated to Russia’s armament plan for the next decade.
Unmanned systems have been playing a crucial role on the battlefield, and the scope of their use is only growing, Putin stated.
“They are capable of destroying armored vehicles, entrenchments, communication systems, transport, and enemy manpower.
Our drone operators are currently responsible for a significant portion – up to 50% – of the destroyed and damaged enemy equipment and facilities,” the president said.
Apart from the direct combat use, drones are widely employed for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, mining and demining, the president noted.
Russia is currently in the process of forming a dedicated drone force, Putin said, adding that its development and deployment must be as “swift and top-notch” as possible.
“I believe we have accumulated good experience in order to create this branch of the military.
We are talking about training personnel, production, and deliveries of modern devices capable of enhancing the combat capabilities of our troops,” the president said.
The establishment of the new branch of service – the Unmanned Systems Troops – was first announced last December as part of the effort to boost the use of unmanned technology on the battlefield.
At the time, Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said the branch would be formed in the third quarter of this year.
https://www.rt.com/russia/619051-putin-drone-force-update/
Over 80k aerial targets shot down during conflict with Ukraine – Putin
12 Jun, 2025 20:17
Russian forces have shot down more than 80,000 aerial targets in the conflict with Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has revealed, adding that the country is seeking to create a universal anti-aircraft system capable of intercepting any incoming projectiles.
Putin made the remarks on Thursday while meeting with senior civilian and military officials to discuss Russia’s armament plans for the period of 2027 to 2036.
The conflict with Ukraine has been marked by the rapid development of air weaponry, the evolution of its role, and the tactics of its use, Putin noted.
“The new state armament program should ensure the creation of a universal air defense system that is capable of operating in any conditions and effectively destroying aerial strike weapons regardless of their type,” the president stated.
The figure of 80,000 includes around 7,500 sophisticated munitions, such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and projectiles fired by multiple rocket launchers, Putin noted, adding that nearly all the weapons that were destroyed were supplied to Kiev by the West.
However, drones constitute the vast majority of aerial targets intercepted in the conflict. According to the latest figures by the Russian Defense Ministry, more than 63,000 Ukrainian UAVs of all types have been destroyed.
“The fight against various types of unmanned aerial vehicles required new approaches and non-standard solutions. This field remains particularly relevant,” Putin said.
https://www.rt.com/russia/619045-ukraine-aerial-targets-putin/
Drone troopers are established as separate branch of Russia's armed forces
13 June 2025 - 17:48
The announcement was made in this week's meeting on the country's new ten-year armament programme.
"In this connection, I would like to point out that we are now creating unmanned systems troops as a separate branch of the armed forces, and it is necessary to ensure their deployment and development as quickly and efficiently as possible," the dictator told his top military brass.
"It seems to me that we have accumulated good experience in order to create this kind of troops," he argued and added that "it is a question of training personnel, manufacturing, and supplying modern apparatus capable of enhancing the combat capabilities of our troops."
Drones have since Russia launched its barbaric full-scale war against Ukraine increasingly become an integrated part of Russian military units.
That includes also the forces based in the Russian far north.
When Northern Fleet Head Commander Konstantin Kabantsev in April this year paid a visit to Franz Josef Land, he was showed how local forces operate drones and anti-drone weapons.
The Northern Fleet has already established a Centre for training of drone operators. In the centre, soldiers with experience from drone warfare in Ukraine train conscript and other troops.
Initially, the attack drone operators get theoretical and technical training. Subsequently, they train with social computer simulators.
After having passed their exams, the servicemen are given practical training in special shooting ranges, the Northern Fleet informs.
The Northern Fleet is also in the process of developing marine drones. When Andrei Kartapolov, leader of the State Duma Defence Committee, this week visited Arkhangelsk, he reportedly discussed sea drone logistics with regional governor Aleksandr Tsybulsky.
Kartapolov also paid a visit to Sevmash and Zvezdochka, the two major naval shipyards in the region. During the visit, he might have been introduced to the development of sea drones.
Among the photos distributed by the Zvezdochka yard is one where a company representative shows the controversial politician a small-scale propeller that could potentially be made for sea drones.
https://www.thebarentsobserver.com/security/drone-troopers-are-established-as-separate-branch-of-russias-armed-forces/431517
Arab states assist Israel in shooting down waves of ‘Iranian drones’
JUN 13, 2025
At least 100 drones have been fired towards Israel since the start of the Israeli attack against Iran early on 13 June, many of which have been intercepted with the help of Arab states including Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Iran has not yet confirmed that it launched any drone attacks against Israel.
The Israeli army said early afternoon on Friday that it had “control over the situation,” and that Israel “continues to operate to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran towards the State of Israel.”
A source cited by Iran’s Fars news agency said the Islamic Republic “has not carried out any drone attacks so far” and the “real revenge will take place in the near future and will only be announced through official channels.”
Unconfirmed reports on Telegram said the drones may have been launched from Iraq
Earlier on 13 June, video footage on social media showed sirens blaring in the Jordanian capital Amman, due to drones en route to Israel.
The Jordanian Armed Forces announced on Friday that its Royal Air Force and air defense systems intercepted several drones that entered Jordanian airspace earlier in the day.
“We are operating at a high level of readiness to protect the skies of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,” the military said in a statement.
Israeli officials cited by Channel 12 and the Times of Israel said Israeli warplanes shot down drones over Saudi and Syrian airspace.
According to an Al-Akhbar correspondent, Iranian drones flew towards Israel over the southern Lebanese border on Friday afternoon, prompting interception attempts by the Iron Dome system.
Sirens reportedly sounded in Kiryat Shmona and other northern Israeli settlements.
The Iraqi government has issued a complaint at the UN Security Council over Israel's use of its airspace to shoot down drones.
“Iraq affirms that these practices represent a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty and a transgression of the provisions of international law and the United Nations Charter,” Iraqi state media said, adding that “Iraq demands that the Security Council assume its legal and moral responsibilities and use its powers to deter the Zionist entity and prevent it from repeating such violations.”
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned what it said was an “indiscriminate” Iranian drone attack.
No casualties have been reported from the drone attack as of yet.
Meanwhile, Tel Aviv continues to escalate its airstrikes across Iran, bombing the capital and several provinces.
At least 78 people have been killed and over 300 wounded in Tehran alone, according to Fars news agency.
https://thecradle.co/articles/arab-states-assist-israel-in-shooting-down-waves-of-iranian-drones
https://twitter.com/TheCradleMedia/status/1933507081325207807
SpaceX Launches
Starlink Mission
June 12, 2025
On Thursday, June 12 at 6:54 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 26 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
This was the 15th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, and now eight Starlink missions.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-15-6
Starlink Mission
June 13, 2025
On Friday, June 13 at 11:29 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
This was the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, SES O3b mPOWER-B, USSF-124, Bluebird 1-5, and now 17 Starlink missions.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-12-26
Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video
June 13, 2025 4:58 PM
A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine's Air Force reported on June 13.
The Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the strike but thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack.
"We thank our partners for their highly accurate and effective 'arguments'," the service wrote.
The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, remains a front-line platform in Ukraine's air force and has been adapted to carry Western-supplied precision-guided weapons.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains one of the war's most contested areas. While the city of Zaporizhzhia is under Ukrainian control, southern parts of the region remain occupied by Russian forces.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations across several key areas, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of a broader summer push.
Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian supply lines and disrupt offensive preparations.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-mig-29-strikes-russian-drone-hub-ammo-depot-in-zaporizhzhia-direction/
Mossad Orchestrated Long-Term Covert Drone Operations Inside Iran, Israeli Media Reveals
June 13, 2025
Hebrew media outlets reported Friday that an Israeli security source disclosed Mossad had long ago established a base for launching explosive drones inside Iranian territory, which was used in Friday’s pre-dawn attack, with assistance from Mossad agents.
Israeli military censorship allowed the release of select details on Mossad’s operations within Iran.
According to the source familiar with the joint operation involving the Israeli military, Mossad, and Israeli defense industries, the campaign was based on years of meticulous planning, intelligence gathering, and deployment of covert capabilities deep inside Iran.
The source revealed that Mossad agents had set up a base for explosive drones near the capital, Tehran, well before the attack. The drones were activated during the strike and launched at Iranian surface-to-surface missile platforms located at Esfaghabad base—considered one of the key sites posing a direct threat to Israel.
Mossad’s Deep Cover Ops: Covert Drone and Missile Assaults Inside Iran
According to what Israel permitted to publish, commando units have also been operating inside Iran for some time.
The Israeli Walla news site cited security officials describing the covert campaign as requiring bold and complex planning, alongside creative thinking and strategic maneuvers.
They stated that all operations relied on detailed intelligence gathering, advanced technology, and the deployment of wide-ranging commando forces conducting missions in Tehran and across Iran with complete secrecy—undetected by Iranian intelligence and security services.
As part of these operations, Mossad agents made significant efforts to smuggle and distribute special weapons across Iran and launch them with precision during the attack.
According to Israeli officials, three different complex intelligence-operational systems were activated:
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In central Iran: Mossad commando units deployed precision-guided weapons in open areas near Iranian surface-to-air missile defense sites. When the Israeli strike began, the systems were triggered, and high-precision missiles were launched simultaneously at targets.
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In a second front: Aimed at disabling Iranian air defense systems threatening Israeli fighter jets, Mossad operatives secretly installed advanced attack systems on vehicles. Once the surprise assault commenced, the weapons were fired and Iranian defenses were completely destroyed.
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The third system: Mossad had previously smuggled and established a base for explosive drones deep inside Iran via its agents. During the Israeli operation, these drones were launched at Iranian surface-to-surface missile platforms at a base near Tehran.
https://www.watanserb.com/en/2025/06/13/mossad-orchestrated-long-term-covert-drone-operations-inside-iran-israeli-media-reveals/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14808747/mossad-israel-idf-attack-iran-nuclear.html
Drone resembling Ukrainian model washes up on beach in Türkiye
June 12, 2025
An unidentified kamikaze drone was found on a beach in Türkiye. It reportedly resembles a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle, according to the Turkish outlet Milliyet.
The drone was found on Uzunkum Beach in the city of Şile on Wednesday, June 11, at around 12:30 PM.
According to the report, beachgoers noticed an object resembling a kamikaze drone on the shoreline. The Coast Guard command arrived at the scene shortly after citizens reported the discovery.
"It was noted that the object, whose origin remains unknown, resembles Ukrainian-made kamikaze drones, and the device on its underside appears to be an explosive," the Turkish outlet reported.
The drone was handed over to Turkish Navy explosive ordnance disposal experts for examination.
Photo: drone resembling Ukrainian model found on Turkish beach (milliyet.com.tr)
Ukraine’s neighboring countries have also felt the effects of Russian aggression. During drone attacks, Russian UAVs have occasionally crossed into Romanian and Moldovan airspace.
For example, on December 25, Russia launched more than 70 missiles and over 100 drones at Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that one of the Russian missiles crossed into Moldova’s airspace during the assault.
In Romania, drone debris has been discovered multiple times. As a result, the country has decided to intercept and shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles that illegally enter its airspace.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/drone-resembling-ukrainian-model-washes-up-on-beach-in-t%C3%BCrkiye/ar-AA1GCIro
https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/display-news/Article/4216004/modern-trenches-modern-threats-combat-engineering-in-the-drone-age/
Modern Trenches, Modern Threats: Combat Engineering in the Drone Age
13 June 2025
From Chief Mass Communication Specialist Justin Stumberg
SKRUNDA, Latvia – As part of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2025, U.S. Navy Seabees, U.S. Marines from 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), and Latvian Army engineers are constructing a fortified trench network designed for survivability in a drone-contested battlespace.
The project serves both as a realistic rehearsal and a proof of concept for how modern combat engineers support maneuverability, concealment, and endurance in multi-domain operations.
In the wooded fields of western Latvia, lines of freshly turned earth snake across the terrain—dug not by history, but by engineers preparing for the future fight.
A century after trench warfare defined conflict in Europe, the tactic is making a modern return, this time shaped by airborne threats that are autonomous, persistent, and digital.
As part of exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2025, U.S. Navy Seabees, U.S. Marines from 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), and Latvian Army engineers are constructing a fortified trench network designed for survivability in a drone-contested battlespace.
The project serves both as a realistic rehearsal and a proof of concept for how modern combat engineers support maneuverability, concealment, and endurance in multi-domain operations.
“We are creating positions designed for modern combat environments,” said Lt. j.g. Wiatt Lewis, officer in charge of Naval Construction Battalion (NCB) 14.
“These field fortifications are built to reduce detection, limit exposure to unmanned systems, and enhance force protection across the battlespace.”
Lewis emphasized that as the operational environment evolves, so must the approach to allied engineering and maneuver.
“Every trench, every covered position demonstrates a shared commitment to mobility, concealment, and resilience,” said Lewis.
A Classic Concept Meets a Modern Fight
Though trench warfare may evoke images of muddy stalemates and early 20th-century weaponry, recent conflicts have proven that the tactic is far from obsolete.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has demonstrated how entrenched positions, overhead cover, and field fortifications can provide critical protection against modern threats including drones and precision fires.
What was once viewed as a relic of past wars has reemerged as a vital component of survivability in high-intensity, large-scale ground combat.
Today’s engineers are applying that hard-earned relevance to modern doctrine. Using precision equipment, updated tactics, and threat-informed design, U.S. Navy Seabees, Marine Corps combat engineers, and allied forces are modernizing trenches for use in multi-domain environments.
Seabees provide the horizontal construction expertise—operating bulldozers, graders, and compactors to carve structured fighting positions into dense Baltic soil.
Meanwhile, Marines from 8th ESB bring combat engineering insight, ensuring the trench layout supports tactical movement, defensibility, and low visibility against drone reconnaissance and attack.
“We have trained for this kind of work in the United States, but doing it here alongside the Seabees and our Latvian partners adds a different level of complexity,” explained SSgt. Austin Leigh, combat engineer and platoon sergeant with 8th ESB.
“We are always thinking about our visibility from above, the effects of thermal detection, and how to keep the position secure from multiple angles.”
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Partnered, Resourceful, Ready
One of the most distinctive aspects of this multinational effort is the Latvian Army’s use of a field-deployable sawmill, providing raw timber milled on site.
The lumber is then used to reinforce trench walls, build overhead cover and concealment, and create tactical infrastructure, eliminating the need for long-lead construction materials that are not always readily available.
“Having a sawmill out here and cutting our own lumber changes the game,” said Chief Construction Mechanic William Fox, NCB 14 senior enlisted leader.
“We are not waiting on flatbeds or shipping containers. We’re using what is already around us to get the job done.
Fox explained that producing timber on site has helped his team stay on schedule and adapt in real time.
“Every board we cut with our own hands is one less we have to wait for,” he said. “It keeps the crew moving, keeps the project rolling, and honestly, it just feels good to build something right here with what we have.”
This effort also highlights the value of integrated training in a joint and allied environment. Seabees, Marines, and Latvian engineers have worked shoulder to shoulder, blending skills, sharing tools, and building trust through every shovel of earth and cut of timber.
“This has been some of the most valuable training I have had in my 12 years in the Navy,” said Builder 1st Class Nathan Burke, project supervisor with NCB 14.
“It has been a true privilege to work alongside both ESB Marines and the Latvian forces. I only hope we will be able to expand upon what we have started here.”
Burke noted that the project not only benefited the mission—it also sharpened the warfighting instincts of the next generation.
“This trench project has provided a tremendous opportunity for our junior Bees and Marines to encounter and overcome some unique challenges,” he said. “It is these types of problem-solving skills that will be crucial when we are operating in a true wartime scenario.”
He added that the work accomplished in Skrunda is only the beginning of what is possible when allied engineers train together with a shared purpose.
“I am humbled by and incredibly proud of what our [team] has accomplished here these past weeks,” said Burke.
“I feel as though we have just scraped the crust on what we could do here to develop and sharpen our skills, should we find ourselves fighting alongside our partners in the region.”
Preparing for the Next Fight
As training wraps in Skrunda, the trenches carved into the Latvian soil remain behind, standing as evidence of what can be accomplished when engineers from different nations work side by side.
Built with shovels, saws, and shared experience, the project adds lasting value to the local training area and the forces who may use it in the future.
BALTOPS 2025 serves as a proving ground for ships, aircraft, and the people who build, dig, and design the infrastructure that supports them.
In an era shaped by technology and unpredictability, the most effective tools are often the ones forged by hand, in the field, together.
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JUMP 20 drone participates in U.S. Navy exercise
June 13, 2025
ARLINGTON, Virginia. AeroVironment’s JUMP 20 medium uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) provided maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services for the U.S. Navy’s 4th Fleet during Operation Southern Spear, the company announced in a statement.
Deployed under a company-owned, company-operated model, the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS was used across the Caribbean and southern Atlantic region to monitor and track potential illicit activities, the statement reads.
The operation marked the platform’s first long-duration maritime deployment, conducted under the Monitoring, Analysis, Reconnaissance, Logistics, Intelligence, and Network Services (MARLINS) Task Order as a subcontractor to SMX.
According to the company, JUMP 20 offers autonomous launch and recovery on moving ships without additional equipment and can operate in sea state level 5 conditions and winds above 20 knots.
The aircraft is designed for rapid deployment and modular mission support.
Operation Southern Spear aimed to support the Navy’s Hybrid Fleet Campaign by integrating robotic and autonomous systems into manned-unmanned teaming efforts.
AeroVironment states that JUMP 20 had previously accumulated over 130,000 flight hours in land-based combat operations.
https://militaryembedded.com/unmanned/isr/jump-20-drone-participates-in-us-navy-exercise
Dollywood marks 40 years with drone spectacular by Dronisos
13 Jun 2025
Dronisos, a leader in drone entertainment, has created a new nighttime spectacle for Dollywood in celebration of the Tennessee theme park’s fortieth anniversary.
Billed as the park’s “most epic yet,” the show forms part of Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration taking place from June 14 to August 3, 2025.
Blending storytelling with cutting-edge technology, the production will feature an all-new narrative and the park’s largest drone fleet ever.
In a park first, the skies above Dollywood will also be filled with pyro-drones – drones equipped with pyrotechnic effects – adding a fiery flourish to the nightly experience.
The new show is the latest development in a longstanding partnership between Dronisos and Dollywood.
Since being named the park’s official drone technology supplier in 2022, Dronisos has led every aspect of its drone productions – from creative development and technical planning to on-site operations.
The company even maintains a dedicated team at Dollywood to ensure nightly performances are seamless and meet the highest safety standards.
“This summer, get ready for a spectacular fortieth anniversary drone show, featuring even more drones and, for the very first time at Dollywood, pyro-drones lighting up the sky,” said Cyndi McCormack, VP of guest experience at Dollywood.
The announcement follows another major milestone for Dronisos, which recently showcased its capabilities on the global stage by opening the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, with Europe’s largest ever drone display, featuring 2,025 drones.
The conference, which is currently ongoing, promotes urgent action to conserve our oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Dronisos’ spectacular aerial display, described as a “luminous ballet,” was presented by Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, and deputy president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
https://www.planetattractions.com/news/Dollywood-marks-40-years-with-drone-spectacular-by-Dronisos/4151
https://www.thetravel.com/yellowstone-national-park-drone-user-harassing-osprey-nest-penalty/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq1vhBH0eoI
https://www.instagram.com/yellowstonenps/
Yellowstone National Park Gets Standing Ovation For Steep Penalty Over Drone User Illegally Harassing An Osprey Nest
June 13, 2025
Time and again, we have witnessed instances of guests overstepping their boundaries at Yellowstone National Park.
Just a couple of days ago, a visitor learned the hard way that she shouldn't get too close to a bison, leading to yet another bison-related incident in 2025.
Bans at Yellowstone have persisted. We saw a three-year ban on an impaired driver last month.
This month, in June, a visitor is making the headlines for a completely different offense, disturbing the peace with a drone.
We'll take a closer look at the details of the incident and the park visitor who played the role of a hero during the encounter.
Yellowstone National Park was able to catch the offender, and it is hoped that the proper penalty will be issued.
Linda Veress, an NPS spokeswoman confirmed the violation.
“We can confirm that an individual was cited in Lamar Valley the evening of June 5 for flying a drone in the vicinity of an osprey nest. We do not have a name and hometown to share,” she tells Cowboy State Daily.
Park visitor Vince Botkin is the hero of this story, not only reporting the issue but also confronting the drone user. Botkin didn't let his guard down and was very aware of the drone rule, while the offender wasn't, but that didn't stop him from continuing.
The rule has been in place for quite some time now, with no tolerance for drones unless a commercial permit is obtained.
Why The National Park Service Banned Drones Back In 2014
The ban goes all the way back to 2014.
The ruling states:
"Policy Memorandum 14-05, released by the National Park Service (NPS) director in June 2014, directed each superintendent to use the authority under 36 CFR 1.5 to prohibit the launching, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft, subject to the certain conditions and exceptions set forth in the memo.
This is still in force with a few exceptions."
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The reasoning behind the drone ban is simple. They can harm the safety of staff, visitors and wildlife, according to the National Park Service.
Users of drones run the risk of disorderly conduct or creating a hazardous, physically offensive condition.
Drone Offenses Across National Parks:
"If the uncrewed aircraft pursues or harasses wildlife or creates an intentional disturbance of wildlife nesting, breeding, or other activities, the user could be cited for a violation of 36 C.F.R. § 2.2."
"If the user of the uncrewed aircraft knowingly or recklessly creates a risk of public alarm or nuisance by causing noise that was unreasonable under the circumstances or by creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition, the user could be cited for disorderly conduct under 36 C.F.R. § 2.34."
"36 C.F.R. § 2.12(a)(3) prohibits, in non-developed areas, operating a device powered by a portable motor or engine, except pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit."
Guests are always asked to check with park superintendents before using a drone. In some cases, special permits can be obtained, but they must be registered before usage.
Once again, violating the ban results in a six-month penalty, along with a $5,000 fine.
Yellowstone National Park Also Has Strict Filming And Photography Rules
Film, photography and sound recording are permitted. The EXPLORE Act, signed back in January 2025, granted access. Although the new ruling has been issued, there are provisions and policies that must still be followed.
The National Park Service wrote, "The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act or EXPLORE Act was signed into law in January 2025.
The EXPLORE Act streamlines the film, still photography, and audio recording permitting process while ensuring that environmental and cultural impacts are minimized.
National Park Service leadership is working to ensure that filming and still photography permitting policy is in accordance with the provisions of the EXPLORE Act.
Yellowstone National Park is currently awaiting official guidance and policy for implementing all provisions of the Act. During the interim, film and still photography permits are being issued.
For questions, please contact the Yellowstone Film Office at yell_film_permits@nps.gov or (307) 344-2110."
Permits will still be required for those filming, recording, or taking photos in large groups, with equipment, or under special conditions that may disrupt the park experience for others. Additional application fees of $350 may also apply.
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https://www.chronline.com/stories/contraband-entering-federal-prison-in-oregon-through-drone-and-duffel-bag-drops-feds-say,382566
Contraband entering federal prison in Oregon through drone and duffel bag drops, feds say
Friday, June 13, 2025 7:38 am
From sophisticated drone drops to simple duffel bag tosses over an exterior fence, smugglers have been getting drugs, alcohol, food and other contraband into the minimum-security camp at Oregon’s federal prison complex, an FBI agent disclosed in a court document unsealed Thursday.
The rare public details of the range of smuggling strategies emerged in the case of a former prisoner on federal supervision who was arrested during a dragnet last month at the prison complex in Sheridan.
Administrators had noticed an increase in drug overdoses and weapons inside the prison and were growing increasingly concerned, FBI agent John Mandrafina wrote in the affidavit.
They also noticed prisoners going outside during “morning counts” at the camp and then distributing the goods, the affidavit said.
After tracking the activity for about six weeks, they launched a trap and caught a man accused of using the more tried-and-true method of so-called “throw overs,” – tossing bags over a prison fence.
Early on May 18, prison staff, working with Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, set up surveillance teams in spots around the prison property between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Soon, investigators spotted a figure dressed all in black with a black-hooded sweatshirt approaching the prison fence line about 4:10 a.m., according to Mandrafina.
The man appeared to have entered the grounds through the adjacent city water treatment plant’s property, then belly-crawled toward the fence line, the affidavit said.
Prison surveillance cameras captured him throwing seven bags over the fence and then returning the way he came, the affidavit said.
A sheriff’s deputy used a drone to follow the suspect as he walked back through the water treatment plant and to a silver Mazda 3 parked on rural Southwest Loganberry Lane, Mandrafina wrote.
The suspect drove west toward Oregon 18, where deputies stopped the car. Horacio Lopez, dressed in soaking black clothes, was behind the wheel and then arrested, according to the affidavit.
Lopez, 40, was still on federal supervision stemming from a 2020 methamphetamine possession and distribution conviction.
He had been sentenced in mid-December 2020 to five years and three months and served his time at the prison in Sheridan, according to court records.
He was released to a halfway house on Nov. 1, 2023 and placed on home confinement the next month. He also completed required substance abuse treatment in February 2024, according to the records.
Lopez appeared Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman in Portland, accused of violating his supervised release, smuggling contraband into prison and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
He was ordered held until an arraignment on July 11. Assistant Federal Public Defender Michelle Sweet did not contest his detention at this stage in his case.
Lopez also was charged in state court with seven counts of supplying contraband and one count of methamphetamine possession, but that case likely will be dropped now that he faces federal prosecution.
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The morning of the bag drop, four prisoners were caught trying to retrieve them, the affidavit said.
The bags contained about an ounce of suspected methamphetamine wrapped in cellophane; 197 sealed packets of Buprenorphine, which is used to treat fentanyl and other opioid addictions; the overdose-reversing drug naloxone; and three bottles of unidentified white pills.
The affidavit didn’t offer more information on the extent of the smuggling and overdose problems at Sheridan, and Federal Bureau of Prisons officials didn’t return messages for comment.
Lt. David Pedraza, a special investigative supervisor at Sheridan, had notified Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office in May that the Sheridan prison was “having issues” with contraband entering the facility, Mandrafina’s affidavit said.
Pedraza told the sheriff’s office that the contraband was being smuggled in through various methods, including “drone drops” and duffel bags tossed over a secure exterior fence outside the minimum security camp, the federal agent wrote.
For at least six weeks leading up to Lopez’s arrest, prison officials suspected contraband was being dropped onto the property in pre-dawn hours, usually on Sundays, but had no suspect or vehicle information nor knew how anyone responsible was gaining access to the area, according to Pedraza, the affidavit said.
Contraband is more likely to enter federal prison camps because of their minimum security, compared to the more locked-down prisons.
An unannounced inspection of the federal prison in Sheridan in late 2023 found that contraband was a “persistent and significant challenge,” particularly in the prison camp where people can move around more freely during the day.
Prisoners abuse illicit drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 or spice, and some drugs also enter through the mail, according to a report released last year by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General.
Drone drops are a phenomenon at other federal prisons. Earlier this month, a man in West Virginia pleaded guilty to conspiring to use a drone to deliver two camouflaged bags containing cellphones, chargers, marijuana and tobacco at the prison there.
The National Institute of Justice two years ago warned that drone drops and duffel bag drops over prison fences could increase if prison mail became digitized.
“The penal system has not yet developed operations standards to guide drone detection and abatement,” the institute’s 2023 report said.
“The most promising strategy against illicit drone activity is a multilayered approach that merges sensor capabilities to overcome the performance gaps of an individual technology.
This is especially important given the high variability in drone designs and functionality,” the report said.
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Matt Laslo / AskaPol
"How is that not illegal?” — in wake of WSJ reporting, Rep. Burlison wants to investigate Air Force
Jun 12, 2025
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) — Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets
Ask a Pol asks:
What do you make of that Wall Street Journal piece?
Key Burlison:
“Well, you remember, like, that was my original worldview,” Rep. Eric Burlison exclusively tells Ask a Pol. “What he's saying is probably the case. I think it's the most likely scenario.”
Interesting. But that kind of seems at odds with your conversation with folks in the FBI’s UFO unit. Or do you think they’re all just siloed?
“Yeah, so I would say, I do think that the people that provided information for that article did not have a full picture of everything that's going on,” Burlison says.
“They do not. There's no way they could. But at the end of the day, I think they don't have the full picture.”
Burlison planning to investigate Air Force
“I'm going to be looking into seeing, like, were there any laws violated in some of this deception?” Burlison says.
“The story of the individual who went to a bar and handed [fake] photos — or whatever it was — how is that not illegal?”
Caught our ear:
“When I talked to [UFO whistleblower David] Grusch, he said, ‘that's ridiculous,’” Burlison tells us. “He would have heard of that. He's never heard of that.”
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/how-is-wsj-report-not-illegal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4cZlq2bU6k
In wake of WSJ report, Sen. Rounds says UAPDA would give whistleblowers "a place where they could go"
Jun 13, 2025
Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) — Armed Services & Intelligence Committees*
*one of only a handful — eight in this new 119th Congress, by our late night count — of US senators on both powerful committees
Ask a Pol asks:
Did you catch that Wall Street Journal Roswell piece?
Key Rounds:
“Which one?” Rounds asks Ask a Pol.
This past weekend — they had a big deep dive on, kinda, Roswell, but about UAPs, UFOs.
“No,” Rounds says.
Is it UAPDA season on Capitol Hill?
So now we’re getting into NDAA — National Defense Authorization Act — season, are we going to see your and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s UAPDA — Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Disclosure Act — again this year?
“I'm open to it. Look, I just think we'd be better off if we made sure that individuals that may have information regarding, you know, their own knowledge of things that were simply unexplainable,” Rounds says.
“If they felt that there was a place where they could go to make the reports, but also for individuals who may have — because of their official capacity — information that could help us explain some of these phenomenon, that they knew that there was a place where they were expected to make that report to a central filing location.”
Even if this Wall Street Journal article is verified, if anything, UAPDA would help set the record straight?
“I think so,” Rounds says.
Caught our ear:
“Using cover stories — and I think even Project Blue Book indicated that some of those reports out there may have very well been to cover the work that we were doing on stealth [tech] and some other projects as well,” Rounds tells Ask a Pol.
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/rounds-wants-uapda-for-whistleblowers
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/thats-bullsht
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDz0nQL9S3A
Marvel Officially Names Its Most Powerful Alien Hero (And the Next Runner-Up)
June 13, 2025
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Death of the Silver Surfer #1!
Marvel Comics just confirmed that the Silver Surfer is the most powerful alien to ever visit the planet Earth, with the Hulk’s son Skaar being a close second place in the rankings.
The Marvel Universe is home to many massively powerful extraterrestrial characters, so it is noteworthy that the publisher would officially declare Skaar and Silver Surfer in the top two spots.
Death of the Silver Surfer #1, written by Grek Pak, with art by Sumit Kumar, takes an interesting tact toward kicking off what it has teased as “the Silver Surfer’s final voyage,” by telling a story that focuses mainly on the perspective of Major Kelly Koh, a member of the "Bureau of Alien Neutralization."
The issue features Koh failing in her mission to bring the Silver Surfer down, before being assigned to try and take out Skaar next, raising quite a few questions about the trajectory of the story moving forward.
Marvel Confirms Silver Surfer Is Earth's Most Powerful Alien Visitor; Hulk's Son Skaar Is No. 2
Death of the Silver Surfer #1 is a dense issue, delivering multiple high-level action sequences, while carefully setting up multiple conflicts for the story to address in subsequent issues, while also giving readers a clear sense of the thematic questions the series is interested in exploring.
The central character of the issue, Major Kelly Koh, works for the "Bureau of Alien Neutralization," or B.A.N., which has apparently just been privatized, and is now being run by, in Koh's own words, "a maniac."
Yet she shows no hesitation about going after Earth's most powerful alien visitors on their behalf.
Silver Surfer is arguably Marvel's most famous alien character, with origins dating back nearly sixty years, and has always been depicted as incredibly powerful, given the cosmic nature of the Surfer's abilities.
Skaar himself has almost a twenty-year history, and given that he is the Hulk's son, it makes sense that even as a half-alien character, he would rank close behind Silver Surfer in the B.A.N.'s estimation of the greatest alien threats to Earth, whether their rankings are born out of good intentions, or otherwise.
Marvel's New Silver Surfer Series Takes Big, Exciting Swings Right Off The Bat
Marvel is currently in the process of drastically reshaping its cosmic landscape, and one question fans have about Death of the Silver Surfer is whether it is part of that ongoing project.
In the newly-released Imperial #1, it was revealed that Hulk's other son, and Skaar's twin brother, was murdered, and readers have already begun to speculate about whether that will come up in Death of the Silver Surfer #2 when Major Koh takes on Skaar, or whether this series will be more self-contained in nature.
Death of the Silver Surfer #1 offers a satisfying answer to the question of who Marvel Comics' most powerful alien characters currently on planet Earth are…as well as introducing a human character hellbent on taking them down.
In any case, the debut issue of the limited series proved to be exciting and ambitious in many ways; for lovers of Marvel lore, and people who are passionate about power rankings for characters, Death of the Silver Surfer #1 offers a satisfying answer to the question of who Marvel Comics' most powerful alien characters ever to visit planet Earth are, confirming Silver Surfer and Skaar as #1 and #2, respectively, as well as introducing a human character hellbent on taking them down, while leaving the question of why to be explored as the story progresses.
Death of the Silver Surfer #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.
https://screenrant.com/marvel-most-powerful-alien-silver-surfer-factoid/
The Buga Sphere and the Beings of Guasimal, the mysteries of the Cauca Valley, Colombia
Jun 12, 2025
In this episode of Interstellar, journalist and researcher Jaime Maussan discusses the incredible sightings of alleged two-meter-tall beings in Guasimal, Colombia, presenting evidence and testimonies of these beings' presence on Earth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vh8h45gDNg