Rapid Alerts

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland — Deputy Chief of Defence Lt. Gen. Dragoş‑Dumitru Iacob of the Romanian Armed Forces visited the NATO Forward Land Forces (FLF) Battle Group–Poland at Bemowo Piskie Training Area (BPTA) on July 23, 2026 to review training, infrastructure, and multinational interoperability.

Iacob received briefings from Polish Land Forces Training Center officials on BPTA’s live‑fire, infantry and small‑arms ranges (including grenade and close‑quarters facilities), mechanized and armored training areas for infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, air‑defense coverage and capabilities, target ranges and firing distances, engineering ranges, and the overall layout of training sectors.

Polish hosts presented a map of the training areas and outlined the organization of the 15th Mechanized Brigade, how the brigade’s equipment and traditions are integrated into operations, and plans for an upcoming equipment upgrade.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Saxion, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment, and of the NATO FLF Battle Group–Poland, briefed Iacob on the battle group’s composition and multinational rotations, which include Romanian, Croatian, British and U.S. troops. He also cited recent anti-UAS exercises his battalion conducted in Hohenfels, Germany.

The commander of Romania’s 348th Air Defence Battalion reviewed a near‑term training calendar and described his unit’s role and capabilities.

Iacob toured a static display of armored vehicles and spoke with troops from Romania, Poland, the U.S., Croatia, and Britain. He consulted with Polish Vice Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Karol Dymanowski and offered words of support to junior‑enlisted Soldiers.

“Meeting with both the Romanian and Polish Vice Chiefs of Defense today was a terrific opportunity to highlight the Battle Group's capabilities, especially our Romanian Air Defense unit, and our close partnership,” said Saxion. “We truly are 'stronger together.’”

Leaders from the participating nations held a working lunch to reinforce interoperability goals and discuss future cooperation. The visit ended with an exchange of gifts and the presentation of challenge coins, emphasizing camaraderie and Romania’s commitment to collective defense on NATO’s eastern flank.

More than 3,500 service members from 10 countries including Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and the United States partnered for Exercise Combat Power 26, from June 22 through July 1, 2026, the multinational exercise strengthened interoperability through planning and executing high-intensity joint operations in land, sea, and air domains throughout the Republic of Croatia.

A Soldier who was apprehended in the United Kingdom after fleeing the United States three years ago was convicted by a military jury for desertion during his trial July 1 at the Fort Leonard Wood Courtroom. Spc. Oliver E. Board, 33, a combat medic assigned to the General Leonard Wood Community Hospital, was also convicted of larceny and providing a false official statement. The military judge sentenced him to 326 days of confinement, a $3,925 fine with an additional 180 days of confinement if...

BEMOWO PISKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland - Service members from across the NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group-Poland came together for a day of teamwork, competition, and skill-building during a soccer clinic hosted by Armed Forces Entertainment's Heat Wave tour. Featuring three U.S. professional women's soccer players, Ashley Nicks, Domi Richardson, and Jamia Fields, the event gave U.S. Soldiers and allied partners the opportunity to sharpen their skills while strengthening relationships through...

NAVAL STATION ROTA, SPAIN (July 6, 2026) - At approximately 11:10 p.m. Central European Time on July 2, a class alpha fire was reported in the southwest area of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain near the base’s golf course. Naval Station Rota Fire and Emergency Services immediately responded to the scene. The fire was reported as contained at 4:17 a.m. on July 3 and a fire watch was established. The fire was officially declared extinguished at approximately 7 a.m. on July 5.

The fire impacted around two acres of land on the base. No injuries were reported and no damage to government property was sustained. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

NAVSTA Rota remains fully mission capable and committed to supporting the fleet, warfighters, and our community.

For more information about NAVSTA Rota and to remain up-to-date on base information and news, go to the installation’s website at https://cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAVSTA-Rota/ or follow the installation Naval Station Rota, Spain on Facebook, @navstarotaspain on Instagram, or @NAVSTA_Rota on X.

At 258 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Cassville, or near Guttenberg, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and tennis ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of southeastern Clayton and west central Grant Counties, including the following locations... Porters Bridge, Lock And Dam 10, Burton, North Andover, Nelson Dewey State Park, Millville, and Turkey River.

BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- Firefighters from U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz Fire and Emergency Services deployed June 28-29 and again July 1 to provide mutual aid assistance during a major wildland fire near the village of Traisen, close to Bad Kreuznach. The fire broke out during a record-breaking heatwave, with regional temperatures reaching 41.1 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit). The extreme heat fueled a fast-moving forest fire that triggered the immediate, complete evacuation of t...