Latest news with #M88A2Hercules
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Michigan's flags are at half staff today. Here's why they've been lowered
U.S. flags are half staff today in Michigan to honor a U.S. Army staff sergeant from Battle Creek who was killed during a training accident in Lithuania, along with three other soldiers. '(Staff Sgt. Troy) Knutson-Collins represented the best of Michigan as he served our nation in uniform,' Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. 'A fierce friend and proud son, he leaves behind a legacy we should all strive to live up to. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow soldiers.' Knutson-Collins, Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois, and Edvin Franco, 25 of Glendale, California, all were posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam, also died in the training. Here's what to know. The soldiers' M88A2 Hercules was reported missing March 25 while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle in support of regularly scheduled training at Pabradė, Lithuania. Three soldiers and the vehicle were found in a peat bog by U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces on March 31. The Army said the fourth soldier was recovered later. Knutson-Collins joined the Army in 2018, the release said. Knutson-Collins was an artillery mechanic with more than seven years in the Army. He arrived at Fort Stewart, Georgia, in February 2018 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment. Knutson-Collins graduated from the Army Basic Leader Course, the Advanced Leaders Course, the Tracked Vehicle Recovery Operations course, and the Combat Lifesaver course, according to the Army. He deployed to Korea in 2020. Knutson-Collins' awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Master Technician Badge. A full obituary is available online. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff, the governor said in a news release. Flags should be returned to full staff on Saturday, May 3, 2025. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day. Flagpoles on the ground or buildings are called staffs. Flags lowered on shore are called half-staff, according to Half-mast refers to flags lowered on a ship, while flagpoles are called staffs. Certain holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website are: Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. Patriot Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Firefighters Memorial Day. Detroit Free Press, Battle Creek Enquirer contributed. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Flags at half-staff honor Battle Creek soldier Troy S. Knutson-Collins
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Army Staff Sgt. Jose Dueñez Jr. funeral: Community mourns fallen U.S. soldier
The Brief The Joliet community honored Army Staff Sgt. Jose Dueñez Jr. with a funeral service Friday morning at Word of Life Church in Crest Hill. Dueñez, 25, died during a mission in Lithuania last month alongside three fellow soldiers when their vehicle was found submerged in a marsh. A procession earlier this week brought his body home, where family, friends, and residents gathered to pay their respects. CREST HILL, Ill. - People gathered Friday morning to say a final goodbye to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Dueñez Jr., a local soldier who died during a mission in Lithuania last month. The backstory Dueñez, 25, was one of four American soldiers killed on March 25 while conducting a recovery operation involving an M88A2 Hercules armored vehicle. The vehicle was later found submerged in a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania. Dueñez was assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. The funeral service took place at 11 a.m. at Word of Life Church, 1500 Cedarwood Drive in Crest Hill. The service follows an emotional return earlier this week, when Dueñez's flag-draped casket arrived at Lewis University Airport in Romeoville and was escorted by a police-led procession to Tezak's Funeral Home in Joliet. Loved ones and community members lined the streets, many waving American flags and holding signs, as the procession passed. Dueñez, remembered as a dedicated soldier and quiet leader, served in the Army for more than seven years and was previously deployed to Poland and Germany. He leaves behind a wife, a 1-year-old son, his parents, and five siblings. "As both a leader and a Soldier, he set an example every day—always the first to arrive and the last to leave, greeting every challenge with a smile and a readiness to support anyone who required assistance," said Capt. Madyson K. Wellens, Diesel Forward Support Troop commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. "He was the definition of a silent professional." Duenez, a Joliet native, would have celebrated his 26th birthday on April 8. The Source The information in this report comes from Tezak's Home to Celebrate Life and previous FOX 32 reporting.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
'He set an example every day': Body of fallen soldier returns home to Joliet
JOLIET, Ill. - The return of a fallen U.S. soldier who hails from Joliet made for an emotional day on Tuesday, as his family gathered at Lewis University Airport to welcome him home. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr. was one of four service members who died in Lithuania following a training mission last month. Community members—overseas and here at home—are now paying tribute to the young soldiers. What we know Duenez was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart in Georgia. The Joliet native deployed to Poland in 2021 and Germany in 2022. Most recently, he was serving in Lithuania as a member of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. Duenez and three other U.S. soldiers went missing on March 25 while conducting a recovery mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. At the time, they were operating an M88A2 Hercules. Days later, their bodies were discovered inside their sunken armored vehicle, which was located in a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania. "Sgt. Jose Duenez will always hold a special place in our hearts. As both a leader and a Soldier, he set an example every day—always the first to arrive and the last to leave, greeting every challenge with a smile and a readiness to support anyone who required assistance," said Capt. Madyson K. Wellens, Diesel Forward Support Troop commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. "He was the definition of a silent professional." Along with Duenez, the deceased soldiers have been identified as Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam; and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan. "This loss is simply devastating," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie of the 3rd Infantry Division in a press release. "These men were honored Soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our Soldiers during incredibly difficult time." In their honor, thousands of people recently lined the streets of Lithuania's capital city, Vilnius, as their bodies were transported to the airport to be flown back to the United States. Here at home, Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered all entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly flags at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Duenez until sunset on Thursday, April 17. Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy is encouraging all residents to take part, too. "Joliet is a small, big town, and when one family grieves, we all grieve," D'Arcy said. "He was a son, he was a brother, he was a husband, he was a father, and he was a soldier." Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Duenez's body arrived at Lewis University Airport in Romeoville, where his family was waiting on the airfield. His American flag-draped casket was surrounded by loved ones before it was transferred to a hearse. Led by local police officers, a procession then carried his body Tezak's Funeral Home to Celebrate Life in Joliet. Community members holding American flags stood across from the airfield to show their support. "Heartache, a lot of heartache," said Dolores Garcia, community member. "It's our soldier, he's from our country." "We all worry about these young kids," said Silvia Gaona-Padilla, another community member who shares that her son is the same age as Duenez. "Most of them, they all know each other because they play against each other or go to the same high school or grammar school, so they all get to know each other somehow along the way." Duenez would have turned 26 years old on April 8. He served in the U.S. Army for more than seven years and was most recently an M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainer. He is one of six siblings and also leaves behind his parents, his wife and their young son. What's next Duenez's visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Tezak's Funeral Home, located at 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Word of Life Church, located at 1500 Cedarwood Drive in Crest Hill. There will be brief visitation preceding the service, beginning at 10 a.m. The Source FOX 32's Kasey Chronis reported on this story.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Carter holds moment of silence for deceased Ft. Stewart soldiers
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Representative Buddy Carter (GA-01) held a moment of silence on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the Fort Stewart soldiers who lost their lives in Lithuania. Rep. Carter, a Republican who represents Ft. Stewart in Congress, led the bipartisan tribute, joined by other members of Georgia's House delegation, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14), Rich McCormick (GA-07) and Lucy McBath (GA-06). 'I was humbled to host a House Floor moment of silence to honor the 4 brave servicemen from Ft. Stewart who lost their lives in Lithuania,' Carter wrote on X. 'Please keep the families of Staff Sgts. Jose Duenez Jr., Edvin F. Franco, Troy S. Knutson-Collins, & Pfc. Dante D. Taitano in your prayers.' On Tuesday, March 25, four soldiers permanently stationed at Fort Stewart but deployed to Lithuania in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve were reported missing. The following day, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that they were deceased. On Monday, March 31, three of the soldiers were confirmed dead. Their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle were recovered from a peat bog. The fourth was confirmed dead the next day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Did the Army actually listen to soldiers' complaints about mandatory training?
Happy Friday! One of the biggest stories this week has been about how the Army announced it was slashing the number of training courses that soldiers are required to take each year from 27 to 16. This is a continuation of mandatory training cuts. In May, the Army cut 346 hours of Professional Military Education, or PME. As any E-4 or below will tell you, PME can be a gigantic time suck, and if they can get away with sleeping through it, they will. Now, commanders can decide whether their soldiers need to meet these training requirements. Cutting down the amount of online training that soldiers must take will allow them to focus on building 'warrior ethos' through 'tough, realistic training,' Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Mullinax said on Tuesday. While some on social media have questioned why certain courses will no longer be mandatory, such as Combat Lifesaver training and law of war training for operational units, this is not the first, or even second attempt to lessen the amount of training that service members are required to take. In 2017, then-Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered a review 'to improve warfighting readiness' that included looking at 'requirements for mandatory force training that does not directly support core tasks.' The following year, the Army announced it would let commanders reduce or eliminate training not directly related to combat. It's worth noting that service members have long complained about being overburdened by cumbersome, confusing, and mind-numbingly dull computer-based training. In February, Austin von Letkemann, who runs the MandatoryFunDay social media accounts, jokingly begged Elon Musk to not let the Department of Government Efficiency cut any of the online training troops must take because it's 'totally not a waste of time and teaches us great skills that we use every day.' Musk responded on X, writing, 'How much time is spent doing pointless 'online training'? Sounds pretty bad. Even I have to do some of this stuff.' With that, here's your weekly rundown: DOD IG looks into 'Signalgate.' The Defense Department Inspector General's Office announced on Thursday that it was looking into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app following news reports that Hegseth shared operational details of imminent strikes in Yemen with a chat group that included a reporter. Hegseth and other Trump administration officials have said that no classified information was shared in the chat. The inquiry, which comes at the request of the chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will look into whether Hegseth and other defense officials followed Defense Department procedures for using a commercial messaging app to conduct official business. Soldiers who died in Lithuania identified. All four soldiers who died when their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle sank in a Lithuanian bog on March 25 have been identified. They were all assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. 'To the families, please know you are not alone in your grief, as they were immensely loved by this division; we stand with you united in honoring their memory,' Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, head of the 3rd Infantry Division, said in a statement. Ukraine expects a new Russian offensive. Russia could be preparing to launch a major offensive in eastern Ukraine that could last between six to nine months. The expected offensive would come on the heels of Ukraine's recent withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region after seven months. Hegseth does not plan to attend an upcoming meeting of 57 countries to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine, marking the first time since the group was established that an American defense secretary will not be there. Defense Department hiring freeze exemptions. The Pentagon announced that it will exempt 'mission-critical positions' from its hiring freeze to allow the Defense Department to keep hiring civilian employees for shipyards, arsenals, medical treatment facilities, and other positions 'that contribute to our warfighting readiness.' The Pentagon is trying to cut up to 8% off its civilian workforce, likely including thousands of veterans. Remembering 'Iceman.' Actor Val Kilmer, who played 'Iceman' in both 'Top Gun' and 'Top Gun: Maverick,' died on Tuesday at the age of 65. One of his most famous roles was one the bank robbers in the 1995 movie 'Heat,' which featured a climactic shootout that Marines at the School of Infantry were shown during the Global War on Terrorism era to illustrate the concept of bounding overwatch. Have you seen Pam, the missing python? And now, for something completely different: A soldier's three-foot pet python has gone missing in the Keltenwall Housing Area at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria-Hohenfels, Germany, said Kayla Overton, a spokeswoman for U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. The python's name is Pam, and the soldier did not have written approval to own the snake, Overton said. The U.S. Army W.T.F! moments Facebook page first posted on March 27 that Pam was missing. 'Pam has not been found,' Overton told Task & Purpose on Thursday. 'The soldier's unit is assisting with the search in the local housing area.' Good luck to the soldiers looking for Pam! See you all next week. Jeff Schogol
