The Joint Staff

On National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we honor those who were captured while serving the Nation and came home.

Our Nation makes a clear commitment to every warfighter: you will never be left behind. That commitment is built on trust—trust in our people, their training, and their will to survive and come home.

The strength and resilience of former POWs reflect that bond. They endured the worst conditions, sustained by the belief that their Nation would not forget them.

We honor their courage, their sacrifice, and their return.

Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, who was interred at Arlington National Cemetery today, embodied the very best of our Air Force from the moment he first strapped into a P‑51 Mustang. Across 116 combat missions in World War II, he defended bomber crews with unmatched courage, becoming a triple ace and a legend among the “Yoxford Boys.” But Col. Anderson’s greatness didn’t end in combat. For decades, he pushed the boundaries of flight as a test pilot while ultimately flying more than 130 aircraft and shaping the future of American airpower with the same quiet professionalism he showed in war. His leadership—from Korea to Southeast Asia to the halls of the Pentagon—left a legacy written not just in medals, but in the lives of Airmen he inspired. In 2008, Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was honorarily promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

What stands out most, though, is the man behind the accomplishments and accolades. Col. Anderson served our nation for 30 continuous years, then spent another lifetime giving back—teaching, mentoring, and championing aviation with humility and joy. Even at 100, he remained a beacon of what it means to serve with honor. Today, as we reflect on his extraordinary 102 years, we give thanks for a life lived in full commitment to country, family, and the Airmen who follow in his footsteps. We are better—our Air Force and Joint Force is better—because Col. “Bud” Anderson walked among us.

This weekend, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine flew with a flag during a proficiency flight over our nation’s capital to honor Col. Anderson. The flag was part of today's ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, and we will always remember Col. Anderson’s service and the example he provides all of us.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine visited Air National Guardsmen of the 140th Wing at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, where he met with service members and completed an F-16 flight. The 140th Wing delivers combat‑ready Airmen, F‑16 airpower, critical support, and medical capabilities for the Nation.

Gen. Caine also joined United States Air Force Academy cadets, faculty, and senior leaders at the National Character and Leadership Symposium. In a discussion with Lt. Gen. (ret) Marc Sasseville, moderated by Cadet 1st Class Elizabeth Canfield, he underscored that future leaders in the Joint Force must be equipped with the right capabilities at scale, globally integrated across services and agencies, rigorously trained, and anchored by the 2.8 million service members and families who remain the Nation’s greatest strategic advantage. Gen. Caine thanked the cadets and ROTC students in attendance for their decision to serve the Nation and their leadership now and in the future.

Chiefs of defense and senior military representatives from 34 nations met this evening at a reception in Washington, DC, prior to tomorrow's Western Hemisphere Chiefs of Defense Conference. During the conference, participating defense leaders will explore the importance of strong partnerships, continued cooperation, and united efforts to counter transnational criminal and terrorist organizations, as well as external actors undermining regional security and stability.

For 85 years, and wherever Americans serve, the USO has connected communities to the Joint Force and the families who serve alongside them. Through its enduring commitment, the USO has helped strengthen morale and remind service members that they are supported at home and abroad.

As General Dwight D. Eisenhower once observed, "The people at home occupy a strategic place in a nation at war. One of their major responsibilities is to convince the armed forces that the country is behind them."

The USO continues to fulfill that responsibility today by standing with America's service members wherever duty calls.

(Photo credit: U.S. Army)

As we welcome the new year, we are grateful for the men and women of the Joint Force who serve our Nation with quiet professionalism, courage, and integrity—at home and around the world. We are equally thankful for the families and teammates whose support makes such service possible.

We also pause to remember the fallen and the families who carry their legacy with strength, resilience, and grit.

We enter 2026 grounded in gratitude, committed to one another, and focused on the mission of keeping our Nation secure.

Happy 6th birthday to the United States Space Force! Guardians protect our Nation's interests in, from, and to space - advancing innovation, security, and the future of the Joint Force.

Yesterday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine had the distinct honor of joining the Corps of Cadets and Brigade of Midshipmen at the Army–Navy Game in Baltimore, Md. Reflecting on the men and women who choose to serve, the Chairman shared: “It’s really about gratitude, and it’s about having a passion and purpose in your life. The chance to serve our country and do something greater than yourself is an investment that lasts a lifetime.”
We’re proud of the cadets and midshipmen who took the field and who cheered on their teams, and we are grateful to all service members and families around the world who continue to serve with dedication and honor.

Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus has assumed duties as the acting Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) following today’s relinquishment‑of‑command ceremony. SOUTHCOM protects the U.S. homeland while strengthening partnerships across Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and regional stability.

During the ceremony, Adm. Alvin Holsey relinquished command after 37 years of distinguished Navy service. A native of Fort Valley, Georgia, he exemplified the highest standards of leadership since commissioning through the NROTC program at Morehouse College in 1988. His career included commanding helicopter squadrons, leading Carrier Strike Group One, and standing up the International Maritime Security Construct. At SOUTHCOM, he oversaw major achievements from disrupting over one million pounds of co***ne to expanding cooperation with Panama and supporting multinational security in Haiti. A grateful Joint Force congratulates Adm. Holsey on his retirement, honors his extraordinary contributions to our Nation, and wishes him fair winds and following seas.

Lt. Gen. Pettus, with more than three decades of Air Force service, has commanded at every level, including Air Forces Southern, and has deployed multiple times in support of combat operations. Most recently, he served as SOUTHCOM’s Military Deputy Commander, where he helped shape regional security cooperation and operational readiness.

The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Christopher J. Mahoney, completed a multi-stop USO Holiday Tour across CENTCOM, AFRICOM, and EUCOM regions, 1-7 December, visiting Service Members at , 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, , Djibouti, Africa, and .official

During the tour, General Mahoney thanked troops for their readiness, professionalism, and resilience, especially those serving forward during the holiday season, highlighting the Joint Force’s global integration, collective strength, and enduring commitment to mission success.

The brought live and connection to deployed Service Members wherever possible, reminding them that their service is seen, valued, and supported by the American people, even when they are away from family during the holidays.

This tour celebrated the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and reaffirmed the USO’s mission of strengthening the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families.

More content at: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/USOHolidayTour2025