Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Trump Awards Soldiers, Marines Border Defense Medal

Left
U.S. War Department: News
Trump Awards Soldiers, Marines Border Defense Medal
Dec. 15, 2025 |  By Matthew Olay

President Donald J. Trump awarded a group of 13 soldiers and Marines with the recently established Mexican Border Defense Medal during a ceremony today at the White House.  

Established Aug. 13, 2025, via a memo signed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the MBDM — which is backdated to Jan. 20 — recognizes service members who deployed as part of Joint Task Force Southern Border to the U.S.-Mexico border to provide military support for the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

"On Day 1 of my administration, I signed an executive order making it core mission of the United States military to protect and defend the homeland, and today we're here to honor our military men and women for their central role in the protection of our border," Trump said prior to the presentation of the medals. 

The president added that border security was an issue he placed a great deal of emphasis on during his most recent campaign for the presidency, and that the men and women of the military are doing an outstanding job of ensuring that security. 

"They're unbelievable; they make us all look good," Trump said of the service members. 

Hegseth spoke about the border mission's importance earlier in the day while meeting with the awardees at the Pentagon.  

"I think it's really cool that the folks that we have here … get a chance to stand there with their commander in chief in front of the country, for this incredible mission, which started on Day 1 of this administration," Hegseth told the group. 

He went on to say that border security is a core mission related to defending the U.S. in its own hemisphere.  

"It's getting down to that border and getting control of it; and whether it's hanging concertina wire and reinforcing fencing or patrolling … you guys have jumped at the mission, gotten after it, and I think it's been six months of effectively zero crossings on the southern border, which the goal," he continued.  

Hegseth also explained that the newly issued MBDM is an exact replica of the original Mexican Border Service Medal, which was created in 1918 and awarded to U.S. troops who fought against the paramilitary forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa during the Mexican Revolution.

Many of the awardees — who, according to Hegseth, represent approximately 25,000 service members who currently qualify for the MBDM — said they felt honored to be recognized for their efforts on the border. 

"It's an absolute honor, you know, because I have a lot out there that do a lot of good on this mission, and to see that what we do is actually making an impact and seeing the result is absolutely astonishing; it's awesome," said Army Sgt. Jhonier Marin, a reservist assigned to the 808th Engineer Company who spent months patrolling the border near El Centro, California, and Eagle Pass, Texas. 

" was very impactful. I feel what we're doing the country, and it feels good to see the benefit of the work that has done," said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zeth Collins, who served as a welder and boom operator in support of JTF-SB.  

"This is not a secondary mission. … This is the front of the defense of this country. We're taking it seriously it starts with human beings," Hegseth told the awardees.

"You're on the front lines of locking it down for the American people; so, thank you for everything you've done," he added.  

Prior to the MBDM's aforementioned revival, service members who served on the border were recognized with the Armed Forces Service Medal.

Right

 

ABOUT   NEWS   HELP CENTER   PRESS PRODUCTS
Facebook   X   Instagram   Youtube

Unsubscribe | Contact Us

 


This email was sent to sajanram1986.channel@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of War
1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1400

Today in DOW: Dec. 16, 2025

Left
Department of War: Today in DOW
Today in DOW: Dec. 16, 2025
Open Press Events
Secretary of War
Secretary of War

The secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More >

Deputy Secretary of War
Deputy Secretary of War

The deputy secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More >

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More >

Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More >

Additional Open Press Events

 

Contacts

Additions and corrections for Today in DOW are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here.

Public Inquiries

Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support.

Media Questions

News media representatives with questions for the Department of War may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131.

Duty Officer

A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

Right

Press Advisories   Releases   Transcripts

Speeches   Publications   Contracts

 

ABOUT   NEWS   HELP CENTER   PRESS PRODUCTS
Facebook   X   Instagram   Youtube

Unsubscribe | Contact Us


This email was sent to sajanram1986.channel@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of War
1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1400

Contracts for Dec. 15, 2025

Left
Department of War: Contracts
View Online
FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET
Contracts For Dec. 15, 2025

NAVY

BAE Systems - Norfolk Ship Repair (BAE), Norfolk, Virginia, was awarded a $117,702,348 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded contract (N0002426C4403) to provide funding for the accomplishment of maintenance, modernization, and repair of USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) fiscal 2026 depot modernization period. The scope of this acquisition includes all labor, supervision, equipment, production, testing, facilities, and quality assurance necessary to prepare for and accomplish the Chief of Naval Operations availability for critical modernization, maintenance, and repair programs. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by August 2027. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $117,702,348 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Lockheed Martin Co., Stratford, Connecticut, is awarded a $113,502,108 modification (P00015) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001923D0011). This modification increases the contract ceiling to provide continued integrated logistics support, sustaining engineering, spares support, material management, component overhaul, and training activities in support of sustaining the VH-92A Patriot in-service helicopter for the Navy. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut (84%); Owego, New York (5%); Quantico, Virgina (4%); Patuxent River, Maryland (4%); Orlando, Florida (1%); Moorestown, New Jersey (1%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (1%), and is expected to be completed in November 2031. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The contract that is being modified was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Waterman Transport Inc., Mobile, Alabama, is awarded a $9,497,000 firm-fixed-price contract with pass-through elements (N3220526C1212) for a time charter of one, U.S. flag, self-sustaining roll-on/roll-off vessel for the transportation of military cargo to support Department of Defense transportation requirements. This contract is for a 63-day period of performance with no option period. Work will be performed between the U.S. West Coast and the Far East region and is expected to be completed by March 2026. Working capital funds (Transportation) in the amount of $9,497,000 are obligated for fiscal 2026 and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Government Point of Entry website and six proposals were received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Professional Contract Services Inc., Austin, Texas, was awarded a $104,168,216 firm-fixed-price contract for base operations, facility maintenance and repair services, and minor construction. Work will be performed at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2030. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $4,102,212 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W912CH-26-C-A002).

Amentum Services Inc., Chantilly, Virginia, was awarded a $30,645,502 modification (P00069) to contract W58RGZ-25-C-0003 for worldwide aviation maintenance. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $289,470,540. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2026. Fiscal 2010 and 2025 Foreign Military Sales (Egypt, Kuwait, and Slovenia); fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance, Army; and fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the combined amount of $30,645,502 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Colt's Manufacturing Co. LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded a $12,934,700 firm-fixed-price contract for Colt M4A1 carbines, suppressors, and flash hiders. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026. Fiscal 2025 Foreign Military Sales (Israel) funds in the amount of $12,934,700 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-26-C-0005).

Longbow LLC, Orlando, Florida, was awarded an $11,203,243 modification (P00017) to contract W58RGZ-22-C-0053 for sustainment of the Apache AH-64D/E Model Fire Control Radar, including depot-level and supply support elements and program management functions. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $59,343,206. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2026. Fiscal 2026 Army Working Capital funds in the amount of $11,203,243 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

CORRECTION: The $500,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract (W909MY-26-D-0001) announced on Dec. 12, 2025, to Cummins Power Generation Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, for 500-kilowatt skid mobile electric power generator sets and power plants, including minor modifications, was actually awarded on Dec. 15, 2025, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2030. 

CORRECTION: The $63,796,000 firm-fixed-price contract (W912BV-26-CA-003) announced on Dec. 12, 2025, Alberici, St. Louis, Missouri, to replace the Fort Gibson Spillway Bridge in accordance with project plans and specifications, was actually awarded on Dec. 15, 2025.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Ham Produce and Seafood Inc.,* Honolulu, Hawaii, has been awarded a maximum $26,250,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is March 5, 2031. Using customer is War Department. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Honolulu, Hawaii (SPE302-26-D-P016).  

Teradyne Inc., North Reading, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $16,723,189 firm-fixed-price contract for circuit card assemblies. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year base contract with one one-year option period. The performance completion date is Sept. 15, 2026. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-26-C-0035).

Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries,** Corbin, Kentucky, has been awarded a maximum $14,312,903 modification (P00008) to a five-year contract (SPE1C1-24-D-N017) with no option periods adding various boonie covers via conversion. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract. The ordering period end date is June 17, 2029. Using military services are Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2029 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

*Small business

Right

Press Advisories   Releases   Transcripts

Speeches   Publications   Contracts

 

ABOUT   NEWS   HELP CENTER   PRESS PRODUCTS
Facebook   X   Instagram   Youtube

Unsubscribe | Contact Us


This email was sent to sajanram1986.channel@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of War
1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1400

Secretary of War General Officer Announcements for December 15, 2025

Left
U.S. Department of War: Release
View Online
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Secretary of War General Officer Announcements for December 15, 2025
Dec. 15, 2025

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced today that the president has made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Col. Joshua E. Izenour for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Izenour is currently serving as assistant wing commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Marine Corps Col. Guillermo Rosales Jr. for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Rosales is currently serving as officer in charge, Marine Detachment, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, U.S. Transportation Command, Norfolk, Virginia.

Right

Press Advisories   Releases   Transcripts

Speeches   Publications   Contracts

 

ABOUT   NEWS   HELP CENTER   PRESS PRODUCTS
Facebook  X   Instagram   Youtube

Unsubscribe | Contact Us


This email was sent to sajanram1986.channel@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Department of War
1400 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1400

DOW Featured Photos

...