Pete Hegseth

They range allies and others.

And yet when we ask for additional assistance or simple access basing and overflight, we get questions or roadblocks or hesitations.

Well, over the weekend, I had the opportunity to visit our troops fighting in Operation Epic Fury.

We were on the ground in CENTCOM on Saturday for about half the day.

For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named.

Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor.

I had a chance to bear witness and I witnessed the best of America.

Oh my God.

I witnessed warriors

A brotherhood of men and women, warriors all, active duty guard and reserve, united in their love for each other, their shared purpose, and their commitment to the mission.

I witnessed sheer competency.

I watched a private first class confidently calling out an enemy missile trajectory to a room full of officers.

You know, I have so many people.

I was just walking up, and every time it happens.

And when I came in back, he says, happens all the time.

It happens every time.

A very, very powerful guy.

Big, strong guy.

He was a strong, tough guy.

Strong, tough cookie.