Latest news with #GermanArmedForcesProficiencyBadge
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Military Matters: Airmen at Sheppard AFB try for a foreign badge
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — Not all fitness tests at Sheppard Air Force Base are the same. Through relationships with foreign airmen, some American airmen were afforded the opportunity to a new badge for their uniforms. The badge in question is the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. In its history, the badge has never been offered to American Airmen. Luckily for 12 airmen in the 82nd Security Forces Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Colonel Georg Wolters with the German Armed Forces Tactical Training Command thought offering the badge was a good way to give back to the team at Sheppard. 'Our idea was providing the soldiers on base with the opportunity to compete for this badge,' Wolters said. Like any physical fitness test, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge tests for aptitude in several areas the German military deems important in a soldier. 'It's the basic fitness; it's shooting ability and the basic capability of swimming with uniform,' Wolters said. For the American airmen who signed up to take the tests, it was a unique opportunity. While the tests helped to further relationships between German and American troops on base, Tech Sgt. William Daly said the tests were quite challenging to boot. 'I've had to push myself harder than I have in a long time,' Daly said. 'I knew coming into this I wasn't a very good swimmer, but my teammates got me through it. The camaraderie that we have with us; both our squadron and the German Air Force has been incredible. Kept me going the whole way.' Though only 12 airmen took the tests, they all knew they had an opportunity to make history. Staff Sgt. Micah Fordham is one of the airmen who braved the tests. 'You know, this could be a once in a career or once in a lifetime opportunity that you're going to have. And it's best to jump on it and do it with the best of your ability,' Fordham said. Over the three-day testing period, all 12 airmen who participated in the tests ended up passing with either a bronze, silver or gold level of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
U.S. Army pilot found dead on riverbank in Honduras; police investigating
A U.S. Army soldier was found dead on a riverbank several miles from an airbase in Honduras this weekend, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The body of 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano, 25, was found off base in Comayagua, a city in the west-central part of the country, the U.S. Army said. At 2:00 p.m. local time on May 3, a person reported finding a body on the banks of the Chiquito River, according to a newsletter from the Honduran National Police. Police immediately went to the scene, police said, and launched an investigation. During a search of the area, police found a damaged cell phone that allegedly belonged to Parisano, according to police. Comayagua is about five miles from Soto Cano Air Base, where Parisano was stationed. Parisano was there on leave, the U.S. Embassy said in a statement. The Honduran National Police said that the agency had already identified suspects in the case, and ruled out robbery as a potential motive. The investigation into Parisano's death is being led by the Honduran National Police, in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Honduras and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Department, the Army and Honduran National Police both said. 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano. / Credit: U.S. Army Parisano was a UH-60 Blackhawk Pilot with the 1st Battalion, 228 Aviation Regiment, the Army said. He graduated from West Point in 2023, then attended aviation training school at Alabama's Fort Novosel. He earned the rank of 1st Lt. on Nov. 27, 2024. Soto Cano Air Base was his first duty station. During his military career, Parisano was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge [gold], Air Assault Badge, and Army Aviation "wings," the Army said. "Our deepest sympathies are with the Parisano family and our Soto Cano family while we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Marciano Parisano," said U.S. Army Col. Daniel Alder, Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, in a statement. The rise of "Barstool Conservatism" Student loan borrower shares her story as collections resume for those in default What to expect on Day 1 of the papal conclave
