Heroes Honored During SOTU | Meeting Reminder | Operation Epic Fury | TVLC | Maduro Guard Interview
Weekly Report 🎖️
MONTHLY MEETING THIS WEEK
👕 OUTPOST 1 T-SHIRTS TO BE DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEK DURING MEETING 👕
👋👋👋👋Does any VSO want to lead the meeting?
Wednesday 10AM
229 Lake Ella Drive.
Tallahassee FL 32303
Greetings, Team
This past Monday, the Leon County Veterans Treatment Court Graduation Ceremony, celebrated the successes of 6 more Veterans who were celebrated by a full courtroom, a trio of Leon judges and Commander Dennis Baker USN Ret (see photos with Vet Ct Judge LaShawn Riggins). Each graduate received the Fl Dept of Veteran Affairs/ Fl Veterans Foundation commemorative medal, and the State Atty’s office subsequently joined the judge in concluding their criminal cases. Next opportunity to observe a session of the Vet Court (Leon County Courthouse, Courtroom 2E) will be Monday, March 9, 3 pm, and maybe you will consider becoming a Veteran Mentor for the Vets working their way through the program and recovery.
A great turnout again Thursday, 2/23/26, included a team of 23 Volunteers (including 7 attys) for our TVLC Legal Clinic (at American Legion Sauls Bridges Post 13).
26 Veterans and family came in, plus we assisted 2 others by phone; Veterans volunteered with set up, intakes, etc. even though their court-ordered community service requirements have already been completed. (Khalid, Charles, Gregory, Leonard). And we were joined again by the Leon Tax Collector’s office working with volunteer Brenda Mueller helping several Veterans attempting to reinstate their Driver’s Licenses. Three FSU law students helped with intakes and hosting the unusually higher number of participants.
Early on another freezing morning, Kudo’s to TVLC’s truck and trailer team of volunteers Khalid Shafi, Charles Robinson, John Boyd, Sam Adams, David Martinez, Chris Bodiford, and Eddie McMillian, who delivered the weekly food again Wednesday from Quincy to various locations around Tallahassee.
In the Florida Legislature this week, more than a dozen Veteran-related bills were passed on one or both chambers in the usual Bipartisan co-operation, including the reform bill by Gen. Patt Maney strengthening the 34 Veteran Courts around the state! See www.flsenate.gov for info on the now more than 50 Veteran-related bills proposed this year. Let us know if you want our “tracker” listing of the ongoing status of the bills, which we update daily. Please volunteer to help if you can.
One special need: The number of issues with the VA is outstripping our local resources to keep up with the complications, new claims, and VA delays; so, any other attorneys wanting to join our “VA Law team,” we need you, and have training and national legal resources available to bring you into the fray. Were you a JAG? Have you helped with Social Security or other federal agencies that you already have a headstart on picking up VA law?
Thanks to Leon County for contributing general support to TVLC recently, as well as a private attorney who donated in-kind a burial plot worth $2000 for a deserving Veteran or family member.
Donations to TVLC from various events in recent months and ongoing supporters are helping Veterans successfully reinstate their Driver’s Licenses, sometimes after years of being unable to lawfully drive.
The donations also provide gas for the weekly Food Delivery trips to Quincy for the various Veteran housing facilities around the region.
What else?
Thank you, Dan Hendrickson,
for the Tallahassee Veterans Legal Collaborative
www.Tallahasseeveteranslegal.com
PO Box 11091, Tallahassee, Fl 32302,
850/ 570-1967
🇺🇸 Operation Epic Fury 🇮🇱
EFFECTIVE 28 FEB 26 0320 ZULU
US-Israel Joint Strikes on Iran (Operation Epic Fury / Roaring Lion)
February 28, 2026
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated major military strikes against targets in Iran, marking a significant escalation in longstanding tensions. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) designated the operation Operation Epic Fury, describing it as strikes beginning at 1:15 a.m. ET to “dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus” and address “imminent threats.” Israel code named its contribution Operation Roaring Lion, involving its largest-ever air operation.
Targets Destroyed or Damaged in Iran (US/Israeli Strikes)
According to CENTCOM, US and partner forces struck:
- Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities
- Iranian air defense capabilities
- Missile and drone launch sites
- Military airfields
Israeli forces reported deploying approximately 200 fighter jets to hit around 500 targets across Iran, including strategic defense systems in western and central regions (cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah).
Key confirmed impacts:
- Destruction of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in downtown Tehran (confirmed via satellite imagery and Israeli statements).
- Strikes on homes and offices of senior Iranian officials and intelligence sites.
- Damage to additional military infrastructure nationwide.
Iranian state media and officials reported collateral damage, including a strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab (southern Hormozgan province, near a naval base), which killed between 53 and 118 people (mostly students; figures vary across reports from local governors and Red Crescent).
Casualties in Iran
- Iranian Red Crescent (via state TV): At least 201 killed and 747 injured across strikes in multiple provinces.
- HRANA (Iranian human rights group): At least 133 civilians killed and 200 injured (independent confirmation pending).
- Senior leadership losses (confirmed by Iranian state media, Israeli officials, and Reuters/AP reporting): Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (killed in strike on his compound); Defense Minister Amir/Aziz Nasirzadeh; IRGC Commander Mohammed/Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour; senior adviser Ali Shamkhani; and approximately 40 total Iranian officials/military commanders (including relatives of Khamenei).
Iranian Retaliation and Targets Damaged on the Other Side
Iran responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel and US-linked sites across the region. CENTCOM reported successful defense against these attacks with “no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries” and only “minimal” damage to US installations (no operational impact).
Specific impacts from Iranian retaliation (per Reuters, AP, and regional reports):
- Israel: One civilian woman killed and 121 injured (Magen David Adom). Missiles struck central Israel, including a residential building in Tel Aviv area; fires and building damage reported. Most projectiles intercepted.
- Gulf states / US bases:
- Bahrain: Drone/missile strikes near US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama (Seef district; smoke and burning buildings reported).
- UAE: Damage to Dubai airport terminal, Burj Al Arab hotel/Palm Jumeirah area (4 injuries reported); one person killed by shrapnel in Abu Dhabi.
- Kuwait, Qatar (Al Udeid Air Base), Jordan: Attacks on bases/airports; most intercepted by local defenses with no major reported damage.
- Minor debris/incidents in Saudi Arabia and other areas.
Iran also closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping (impacting oil flows) and threatened further escalation.
Military Forces of Countries Involved
Only three countries are direct belligerents in offensive or retaliatory combat operations:
- United States (offensive strikes and defensive responses):
US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, including Air Force (F-35, F-18 stealth fighters), Navy (Tomahawk cruise missiles, aircraft carriers such as USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford), Army elements, and specialized Task Force Scorpion Strike (low-cost one-way attack drones used in combat for the first time). Described by CENTCOM as the “largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation.” Precision munitions from air, land, and sea platforms.
- Israel (offensive strikes):
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), primarily the Israeli Air Force with ~200 fighter jets conducting the largest flying mission in its history.
- Iran (defensive/retaliatory):
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC – primary target and retaliatory force, including Aerospace Force for missiles/drones) and the broader Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Artesh: regular Army, Air Force, and Navy units responsible for missile barrages and Strait of Hormuz closure).
Gulf states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Jordan) hosting US bases played defensive roles only (intercepting incoming missiles/drones with their own air defenses); they are not participating in offensive operations. No other countries’ forces are reported as directly involved in strikes.
This situation remains fluid as of late February 28/early March 1, 2026, with US officials indicating continued operations and Iran vowing a sustained response. All casualty and damage figures are drawn exclusively from CENTCOM/Pentagon statements, Reuters, AP, and corroborated Iranian state or independent reporting (e.g., Red Crescent, HRANA).
1 MARCH 1532 HRS ZULU
US forces: CENTCOM confirms 3 service members killed in action and 5 seriously wounded (first US combat deaths); others with minor injuries/shrapnel/concussions.
Independent verification of total figures continues amid communication blackouts in Iran.
Heroes Honored During State of the Union
“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle, ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.”
-Heraclitus
CWO5 Eric Slover
On January 3, 2026, Eric Slover, pilot of an MH-47G Chinook assigned to the 160th SOAR Nightstalkers regiment, led the helicopter landing during Operation Absolute Resolve that extracted Maduro from his bunker in Fuerte Tiuna.
While preparing to land, defensive positions inside Maduro’s bunker opened fire from multiple angles, wounding Slover in the leg and hip. He received 4 gunshot wounds and his leg was fractured at several points.
Despite this, he flew his Chinook with precision to preserve the lives of the Delta Force operators he was transporting to the target, positioning the aircraft in such a way that allowed the gunners to neutralize the bunker’s defenses and then enabled the Delta Force operators to enter and carry out their mission:
Locate Maduro inside his bunker — a scenario they had practiced dozens of times in simulated conditions using a full-scale replica of the fortification built in Kentucky, at Fort Campbell, by JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command).
Eric is not only a hero for the United States, but for Venezuela and the entire free world.
That is why, during the State of the Union address, Trump awarded him the highest distinction bestowed by the United States Government:
The Congressional Medal of Honor.
Tyrants around the world must sleep very lightly knowing that pilots like Slover can lead the assault in such a complex operation in the middle of total darkness, suffer grave wounds, protect their team, complete the mission, and return to tell the tale.
~Source-Social media
Captain E. Royce Williams
Captain Williams’ Korean War dogfight was against SOVIET (not Korean) pilots.
The Russians were sending their Air Forces to fight the Americans.
Had it been disclosed, it might have turned the “Cold” war HOT.
THAT is a “quiet professional!”
Royce showed true fortitude; maintaining situational awareness & understanding, getting inside the MiG-15 formation’s decision cycle, seizing the initiative, & forcing seven MiGs into a reactionary position to achieve a decisive victory.
Outstanding performance. Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸 #MedalofHonor
Below is a short summary of the aerial combat.
Royce Williams & his wingman climbed above 26,000 feet, they were attacked by two formations of MiGs.
Despite being outnumbered & carrying less ammunition, Royce, aggressively maneuvered into position, shooting down the first MiG, then another as the enemy climbed to dive again.
For over 30 minutes, he skillfully pushed his Panther to its limit, carefully choosing his shots, downing at least three MiGs & heavily damaging a fourth.
Royce Williams’ aircraft had also taken significant damage (263 bullet holes) during the fight. “I was turning and one guy hit me with the 37mm cannon that knocked out my hydraulics,” said Williams.
Out of ammunition and flying a crippled jet, he managed to regain control using his remaining flight systems & began the difficult journey back to the Oriskany.
~Source- Social media
Coast Guard swimmer who saved 165 in Texas floods receives Legion of Merit
Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan was presented the Legion of Merit during the State of the Union address on Tuesday for his role in the service’s response to deadly floods in Texas last July.
The aviation survival technician has been credited with helping to save 165 people, including those at Camp Mystic. Heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to swell, and the resulting floods killed more than 130 people in the area, including 28 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic.
“As the waters threatened to sweep her away, 11-year-old Milly Cate McClymond closed her eyes and prayed to God, she thought she was going to die,” President Donald Trump said at his address.
“Those prayers were answered when Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin descended from a helicopter above. ... And he lifted not just Milly Cate, but 164 others to safety.”
“It was Scott’s first ever rescue mission — young guy, but very brave,” Trump continued, adding that McClymond was present at the address, reuniting her with her savior. “Petty Officer Ruskan, I’m pleased to inform you that I am now awarding you the Legion of Merit for extraordinary heroism.”
Source-Stars & Stripes
2 West Virginia National Guard members receive Purple Heart during State of the Union address
Two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot in Washington D.C., were awarded the Purple Heart medal Tuesday night during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in Washington.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was pinned by Maj. Gen. James Seward, the adjutant general of West Virginia. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom was awarded posthumously. Her parents, Evalea and Gary, received the medal on her behalf.
~Source Stars & Stripes