On July 20, 2025, the Air Force reported that Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, died at F.E. Warren AFB when an M18 spontaneously discharged while he was on duty with the 90th Security Forces Squadron. Days later, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) paused M18 use command-wide, ordered 100% inspections, and shifted to rifles while
Written by Brock Cornell Gold Star Wife and VBC Member Becky Nyren shared this extraordinary essay written by high school senior Brock Cornell. Brock had played in the annual Gold Star football games, where players wear the names of the fallen on their uniforms. Here is Becky's description: Brock Cornell, a Senior standout at
Lt. Gen. David Petraeus walks through a Bagdad market as part of his. “hearts and mind” outreach in March 2007 (US Army) by Todd DePastino On January 10, 2007, President George W. Bush spoke to the nation from the White House to announce a plan to deploy an additional 20,000 US troops
Roy Lewis (left) on patrol in Baghdad 2007 (Roy Lewis) by MSG Roy Lewis (USA, ret.) VBC member and Army veteran Roy Lewis recently joined us on our Monday night virtual “Open Conversation” and shared bits and pieces of his 36-year Army career. While deployed to Iraq as part of The Surge
The Department of Defense recently published its annual "Demographics Profile of the Military Community," offering a comprehensive overview of the men and women serving in the active duty, National Guard, and Reserve forces, as well as insights into their families. The latest profile was created from data collected in 2023. Some key findings include:
Armor Battalion soldiers engaged in firefight (LTC McBrearty) Retired Army LTC John J. McBrearty deployed to Iraq in 2004 with the California National Guard as part of the 185th Armor Battalion. Serving as Deputy Base Commander of Combat Support Center Scania, a major stop-over point for convoys traveling from Kuwait to the
