EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) --SoldierCon, an event established in 2015 to support military families facing financial challenges, has grown significantly over the years.

Originally held at military installations, it now moves to larger public venues, with this year's event taking place at the Starlight Convention Center in El Paso, Texas.

The convention, back after the COVID-19 pandemic, featured three days of engaging activities including car shows, cosplay contests, and stunt exhibitions.

Highlights included a thrilling costume contest with characters like Chewbacca and Darth Vader, and appearances by notable voice actors Scott Dreier and Vic Mignogna.

The event not only drew local attendees but also welcomed visitors from across the country and beyond, reflecting the positive impact of SoldierCon on the community.

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Update (6:00 PM): Fort Bliss officials say that Military Police remain on site at Mendoza Clinic.

"There remains no risk to the community," Ft. Bliss officials posted on social media. "However, please continue to avoid this area until further notice."

FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) -- Fort Bliss officials say there is currently police activity near the Mendoza Clinic on Fort Bliss.

"There is no threat to the Fort Bliss community at this time, but we ask Soldiers and families to avoid the area until further notice," post leadership stated on social media at 5:00 PM Friday.

Ft. Bliss will release more information as it becomes available.

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El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)— Soldiercon returns for a three-day celebration of comic books, cosplay, cars, and more. The event began in 2015 after the founder noticed the financial strain on military families wishing to experience local comic cons.

The founder of Soldiercon, Carlos Molina, wants to provide a pop-culture convention that is friendly and welcoming to service members and everyone across the region. Aside from the impressive vehicles, the event will feature an impressive list of artistic talents. For a full list of guests, visit c4soldiercon.com.

The event will occur September 6-8, 2024, at the new Starlight Convention Center (6650 Continental Dr), next to the El Paso International Airport.

 Tickets are now available for pre-order. Admission is free for all branches of active-duty service members.

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El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)—Meridian Medical & Associates, a local veteran and minority-owned clinic will host a Health expo to honor veterans in the El Paso community. Veterans.

The expo will be held on September 7th, 2024, at Meridian Medical and Associates LLC, 1900 N Mesa Suite B, El Paso, TX 79902.

They will also be accepting canned food and monetary donations. The money received will go to a local organization that helps feed the community and veterans.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Veterans Administration Health Care System has released renderings of the new primary health care center for the region, set to break ground next week and open by 2028.

The 492,996 square-foot facility will be built next to the new William Beaumont Army Medical Center on Ft. Bliss near the Iron Medics exit on Loop 375 at a cost of $617,499,000.

El Paso VA Executive Director Froylan Garza says that will enable better care for more than 54,000 veterans in the local system. And while the region has been seeing improvements in meeting federal standards for setting appointments for new patients, there is still more to be done.

"Today's VA is certainly not my grandparents VA," Garza says. "But what I'll tell you is here at the El Paso VA, we have been focused on filling key critical vacancies across primary care, behavioral health services and specialty services as well. So much so that today we are experiencing historic wait times in primary care and behavioral health."

The MISSION Act, passed in 2018, requires that primary or mental health care appointments for new patients at the VA must be available within 20 days. For crisis or acute care, Garza says they've made great strides.

"For example, in primary care, we can now see our veteran patients the same day," Garza said. "We can even see them tomorrow, if that's their preference. In addition to that, in behavioral health, we can actually see our patients today as well. The same day the veterans are in crisis, they can visit any one of our outpatient sites here in El Paso and Las Cruces and get that same day crisis care right then and there, no questions asked."

But for primary care and more routine appointments, while most El Paso VA facilities are at or near the standard, the Eastside clinic is still lagging behind by more than double the standard at 56 days for new appointments.

Part of addressing that is fulfilling a need for more facilities and space, such as the new primary clinic and another six new or expanded clinics expected to open in the next fiscal year. Access and services are a main pillar of the VA's mission, Garza says that all veterans should expect to receive the care they deserve in our region particularly if they have felt let down by the v-a in the past.

"Give us an opportunity to make it right," Garza said. "Join forces with us as a partnership in your health care."

The focus on veteran suicide is a central part of the VA's mission as well. Beyond the critical care, any veteran in crisis should call 988, and select option 2. That will connect them directly to the veterans crisis team 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The family of a young veteran suffering from major health complications is desperate for help after they say the VA has left them seeking answers.

Heather Gariepy once had a promising military career, but was cut short eight years ago after she developed neurological disorders that have yet to be fully diagnosed.

She’s now fully medically disabled at 32 years old, and her family says they’re just trying to do anything at this point to improve her quality of life.

“She was healthy, you can see she was strong," said Rob Gariepy, Heather's father while showing ABC-7 old family photos.

He says she was a successful Pashto linguist in the U.S. Air Force for six years, until something triggered her health issues, which he believes was a series of anthrax vaccines that she received before a deployment. This has not been confirmed by doctors.

After years of declining health, Gariepy now suffers from up to 30 functional seizures a day from any kind of sensory changes.

These, along with severe migraines and gastrointestinal issues, keep her bedridden.

Her family quit their jobs to provide her 24-hour, round-the-clock care, and even built her a sound-proofed and sensory-friendly casita to live in.

When ABC-7 met Heather Monday, she was in so much pain that she couldn’t even talk - and had to answer on a writing pad.

After being asked how the last eight years have been for her, she proceeded to write one singular word, "hell," before having a seizure.

Because of her condition, Rob Gariepy says it’s nearly impossible for Heather to travel to any doctors, and says "bureaucracy" within the VA has made it very difficult to get the in-patient care she desperately needs.

“Locally I know the VA doesn’t have in-patient, and then on the national level...it’s so hard to work through the local level. We’ve been trying for three years locally, and a lot of people told us we moved to the wrong location, which to me isn’t a good answer," said Gariepy.

The Gariepy family even got Representative Gabe Vasquez involved to hopefully speed things along, whom they say has been very helpful.

"They appointed a home healthcare team for her, they started doing a lot of her appointments over video, which we've been begging for for years," said Gariepy.

In the meantime, they’re looking to improve her quality of life with a service dog - which can call for help in the event where Heather can’t, such as when her body locks up from a seizure.

However, Gariepy says it won’t be easy, as the VA won’t pay for the type of dog training that heather’s condition requires.

“Right now, she has an opportunity for a lady to come from Arizona. She’s gonna actually live here on the property in a motor home and actually take the dog with heather through the paces, make that dog specifically designed just for heather, so she’s coming to heather because heather can’t go to her, she’s been denied [by the VA] because she couldn’t go do the training with the other service dogs," he said.

Despite having problems with the VA's system, Gariepy emphasized how hardworking Heather's doctors have been when it comes to trying to improve her quality of life.

"Those doctors bend over backwards, her entire team has been amazing," he added.

ABC-7 reached out to the El Paso VA for comment on Heather’s situation, and in a statement, a spokesman said "out of respect for the privacy of the Veterans we serve, we do not speak to the healthcare cases of individual patients without their consent. However, the El Paso VA Health Care System has been working closely with this Veteran and her caregivers on the best health care options available."

The family is asking for $50,000 in donations for Heather's service dog training, of which nearly $18,000 has already been raised.

You can find the link to donate to the family's Go-Fund-Me here.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) --  Twelve sergeants major from Fort Bliss, Texas, are marking a significant achievement as they graduate with master’s degrees from Penn State University.

The soldiers earned their degrees through the Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship Program, which provides Army-funded scholarships.

The program, in partnership with Penn State World Campus, supports sergeant majors in earning advanced degrees.

Since its launch in 2015, more than 100 sergeants major have completed the program, reflecting its ongoing success and impact.

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FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) -- 12 Army sergeants major from Fort Bliss are being recognized by Penn State University this weekend.

Officials said the sergeants major are graduating with master’s degrees in education that they earned online through Penn State over the past year.

The group received red, white and blue military honor cords during a ceremony on its main campus in State College, Pennsylvania, on Friday.

Officials said the sergeants major are part of the Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship program with Penn State’s online institution, Penn State World Campus. The fellowship provides scholarships through the Army for the sergeants major to complete a master’s degree in lifelong learning and adult education in one year. The courses are taught by the faculty from the College of Education at Penn State.

After graduation, the sergeants major will teach the Sergeants Major Course. It prepares the military’s next generation of leaders with skills they need on and off the battlefield.

Sgt. Maj. Daniel Venton is one of those being recognized.

“I thought it was amazing that a university well respected and well known and large as Penn State was working with the Army to help sergeants major get a degree from this university,” Venton said. “A master’s degree from Penn State is no small feat. It was a lot of hard work.”

More than 100 sergeants major have graduated from Penn State through the Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship program since it started in 2015.

Penn State has been offering education online for more than 25 years through Penn State World Campus, which has a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degrees and certificates.

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(CNN) — Several US personnel were injured in a suspected rocket attack Monday against US and coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq, a US defense official said.

“We can confirm that there was a suspected rocket attack today against US and Coalition forces at Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq,” the official said. “Initial indications are that several US personnel were injured. Base personnel are conducting a post-attack damage assessment.”

The attack comes amid extremely high tensions in the Middle East, as the US has been bracing for Iranian retaliation against Israel.

It also comes just days after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered additional military assets to the region, sending a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron and additional warships to the Middle East.

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EL PASO,Texas (KVIA)-- Secretary of Veteran Affairs Denis McDonough, visited El Paso today and announced big changes for the Sun City. A new $750 million state of the art facility, that will be located near Beaumont Hospital on the east side of El Paso, is set to open in late 2028.

The new facility will double the space available for patient care. Additionally there will also be an urgent care center and a women's clinic set to open over the next year.

Some of the issues Veterans here in El Paso are challenged with are lack of appointments with providers, wait times to schedule procedures and coverage approval delays. McDonough said "There is no reason that any veteran should feel alone after everything you have done for this country. We want to make sure that you know we're here for you."

McDonough added El Paso is a very fast growing market for veterans, "mental health well it's as important as anything. And that's why, VA has led the way and increasing access to mental health care for our veterans."

The groundbreaking for the new clinic will begin at the end of August.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Pasoans are among many across the world who have been watching the Israel-Hamas conflict over the last year. Now, they're among those concerned a wider war may be brewing, after several deadly strikes over the past week.

Saturday, a rocket strike killed 12 people, who were mostly children, at a soccer field in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

Israel blamed the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, for the attack. Hezbollah officials denied the group's involvement in the airstrike.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hezbollah “will pay a heavy price for this attack, one that it has not paid so far.”

Netanyahu seemed to follow-through on that comment, after an Israeli airstrike Tuesday killed Hezbollah’s most senior military commander in Beruit, Lebanon. Israeli officials had blamed that commander, Fu’ad Shukr, for the deadly attack in Golan Heights.

And just hours after Shukr's death Tuesday, Iranian officials said an airstrike killed a top Hamas political leader in Tehran, Iran's capital. The nation's officials blamed Israel for the strike.

Israel has kept quiet about the strike that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, but had previously pledged to kill him and others over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

These recent developments have sparked global concern over whether the ongoing war in the Middle East will spread. El Pasoans are set to weigh in Wednesday. They include an outspoken supporter of Israel, and a woman who immigrated to El Paso from Lebanon, and survived airstrikes there decades ago.

Tune into ABC-7 at 4 Wednesday afternoon to hear from a foreign affairs expert on the threat of a wider war in the Middle East. ABC-7 will also be speaking to both sides of the issue, and will bring you their thoughts as soon as they become available.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Today the El Paso history museum held a grand opening for their new exhibit titled "El Paso Homegrown: The Korean War."

The exhibit is the latest in the series that started in 2022. The history, culture and relationship between Korea and the United States are just some of the topics the exhibit covered. The ceremony kicked off with a Korean heritage dance performance, words from local leaders and the recognition for the Korean War Veterans.

I spoke with attendees who shared which features were their favorite.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- 1st Armored Division hosted a Change of Command Ceremony for Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III and Maj. Gen. Curtis D. Taylor. It happened Thursday, July 11th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at 11685 Sergeant Major Blvd., Fort Bliss, Texas 79918. That's in front of the 1st Armored Division parade field.

The army has a tradition to formally recognize the transition of authority from one commander to the next. This is called a change of command ceremony. Today Maj. Gen. James Isenhower relinquished command of the of 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss to Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor. Maj. Gen. Jim Isenhower served as the commanding general of 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss since July 2022. His next assignment is to serve as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, United States Army Washington, D.C.

After serving as the commanding general of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, California, Taylor will now be serving as the new commanding general at Fort Bliss. He delivered the following remarks, "Armed soldiers. No guests. You today are among the best trained army formations in the world. And this is a dangerous world. We must remain ready. It's an honor to join this team, and I look forward to a great ride." Commanding general also added, "I'd like to thank my dad, my in-laws, Doug and Sharon, for making me strike out to the Texas borderland."

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A Ft. Bliss man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 8 years in prison today for Intoxication Manslaughter and Intoxication Assault in connection with a 2023 crash.

Online court records show Terry Randall Kinkade pleaded guilty and was sentenced today.

Kinkade was arrested after a crash on October 15, 2023 on Loop 375 at Montana in East El Paso.

Investigators say an initial crash had caused traffic on Loop 375 to slow down. That's when officials say Kinkade's car slammed into 31-year-old Alonso Mario Lopez's car, which then set off a chain reaction that caused crashes with two other cars. Lopez died and his passenger was seriously injured, according to police.

Read our initial report here.

Investigators say speed and alcohol contributed to the crash.

Police arrested Kinkade after he was released from the hospital. He sustained injuries in the crash. He made his first court appearance a few days later.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Anthony Aguilar, founder of Revive Auto Solutions, has been chosen to participate in the prestigious 2024 Air Force One Detailing Team at Seattle’s Museum of Flight.

Led by renowned detailer Renny Doyle, this annual event gathers top automotive and aircraft specialists to meticulously restore and preserve historical aircraft, including the iconic Boeing VC-137B SAM 970, which served as the first presidential jet.

Aguilar, known for his dual certification in automotive and aircraft detailing, brings a wealth of experience as a member of the esteemed Detail Mafia.

He joins a team of dedicated professionals who volunteer their time and skills to protect and maintain these national treasures, ensuring they remain in pristine condition for future generations.

"Out of all the projects I've been a part of, all the accomplishments, the one thing I'm most proud of is helping the Borderland's vehicles look like new," Aguilar stated, reflecting on his commitment to excellence in automotive care.

Aguilar said this opportunity to work on Air Force One and other historic aircraft is a dream come true.

He said he is honored to play a role in preserving such significant pieces of American aviation history.

Beyond his involvement with Air Force One, Aguilar has contributed to several high-profile projects, including the Warbird Revival and Hagerty Motorlux teams at Monterey Car Week.

His passion for detail and commitment to excellence have earned him recognition among the industry's elite.

For more information on Aguilar's participation in the 2024 Air Force One Detailing Team, please contact him at Revive Auto Solutions at 915-274-2003.

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El Paso, TX( KVIA0TV)- El Paso Community College will hold a Completion Ceremony for its second U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Cohort II Paramedic course at EPCC.  This year, the Accelerated Paramedic and Advanced EMT courses will graduate 16. EPCC was the first site chosen to team with Fort Bliss to provide paramedic education to medical Soldiers utilizing this model (Accelerated Paramedic Program). Soldiers completed the program in 171 days. 

Where: EPCC Administrative Services Center (ASC) Boardroom, 9050 Viscount Blvd., Building A

When:  Tuesday, July 2, 2024, 2:00-3:00 p.m.

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FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) -- Ft. Bliss' top commander, Maj. Gen. Jim Isenhower, is leaving the post.

Ft. Bliss officials confirm to ABC-7 that Isenhower's last day will be July 11, 2024. The change of command ceremony will happen that day. Isenhower will hand over command to Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor.

"Isenhower will serve his next assignment as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, United States Army, Washington, D.C." Fort Bliss officials explained Thursday.

Taylor graduated from West Point in 1994 and has since served two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq.

"From April 2021 to June 2024, MG Taylor served as the Commanding General of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin for 28 rotations where he oversaw the NTC’s adaptation to MultiDomain operations with two Division level rotations, two major Capstone experiments by Army Futures command and sustained changes to the training environment to keep pace with lessons from conflicts in Europe and Israel," officials added.

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Update: A 1st Armored Division spokesperson provided ABC-7 with the following statement.

"Sgt. Coreydon Stepaniak is a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to the 1st Armored Division. He joined the Army April 5, 2011. He’s been assigned to Fort Bliss since 2018. His awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. His military education includes Basic leaders Course, Wheeled Vehicle Recovery Specialist and Combatives Level 1. The 1st Armored Division is cooperating with the appropriate authorities as they conduct their investigation."

MAJ Jessica Rovero
Director of Public Affairs
1st Armored Division

FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) -- A federal grand jury just indicted an couple living on Ft. Bliss on child abuse charges.

Court documents state that from April 2019 to February 2024, Cecilia Stepaniak and Coreydon Stepaniak allegedly endangered a child below the age of 15.

"The indictment alleges acts including falsely reporting to a medical care provider that the minor victim was removed from school for bullying elementary school children; dangerously restricting the minor’s food intake; hitting the minor victim with a cell phone charging cable; holding a sharp kitchen knife to the minor victim’s throat; kicking the minor victim while on the ground; locking the minor victim in a dark closet; confining the minor victim to the garage of their Fort Bliss residence; and forcing the minor victim to perform calisthenics exercises multiple times a day for extended periods of time," a Justice Department spokesperson said.

The Stepaniaks are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit injury to a child, injury to a child, child endangerment, and child abandonment each.

A U.S. Attorney's Office spokesperson says they cannot provide any details on the relationship of the Stepaniaks to the child.

Coreydon Stepaniak is stationed at Fort Bliss, according to federal officials. We have reached out to the post and are waiting to hear back.

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El Paso, TX ( KVIA)- Doña Ana Community College (DACC) sponsors a free health fair for veterans and the entire community.  

The fair, hosted by the DACC Nursing Program, will be held on Tuesday, June 25th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Espina campus, 3400 S. Espina Street.

The fair is not just for veterans, but also for their family members, students, and all community members who are interested in learning about veteran services, benefits, and programs from the Las Cruces Vet Center, U.S. Department of Veteran Services.  
For more information, contact the Las Cruces Vet Center at (575) 674-2603. 

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Texas Governor Greg Abbott says that military installations added $151.2 billion and 677,022 jobs to the state's economy in 2023. Ft. Bliss was the third highest contributor, adding $27,948,226,000 and 126,997 jobs.

The Texas Military Preparedness Commission requested the data from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

"Working together with our military communities throughout the state, we will ensure Texas remains the most welcoming home to the men and women of the greatest military in the world and offers ongoing, unmatched support for their critical missions," Governor Abbott said.

View the complete list below:

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Today is Memorial Day, and it's about more than the unofficial start of summer. The holiday honors soldiers who died in war while serving the country.

Some El Pasoan's took to local parks to remember the day with their families.

At Memorial Park ABC-7 saw people relaxing under the shade, some were having cookouts and even playing soccer to pass the time.

ABC-7 spoke to one man who says he took to the park to get fresh air and walk his pets.

"Some friends of mine have relatives in the army, and I think its a way to they can honor it today," said the El Paso resident.

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FORT BLISS, Texas (KVIA) -- A woman drove from Oklahoma to Fort Bliss to receive her grandfather's Purple Heart, which was lost for decades after he was killed in 1943.

Cindy Sooter's grandfather, John E. Lee was a Gunner's Mate 3rd Class in the U.S. Navy. He received the Purple Heart posthumously for his actions on the MS Sunoil. The MS Sunoil was part of a 62-ship convoy headed for Halifax and Scotland, according to Fort Bliss officials.

Officials said on April 5, 1943, a German U-Boat spotted the MS Sunoil, and fired three torpedoes. One hit the MS Sunoil. The ship's Armed Guard forced the U-Boat to submerge, averting another attack.

However, another German U-Boat spied the MS Sunoil later that same day, and fired three torpedoes, sinking the American ship. 43 Merchant Mariners and 26 Armed Guards were lost. Hill was among them.

"To receive a Purple Heart, that means he put his life on the line to save his other shipmates," said Chief Petty Officer Joseph Graham, who presented Sooter with Hill's Purple Heart Monday.

ABC-7 spoke with Sooter about what this means to her and her family. Tune into ABC-7 at 5 and 6 to hear her story.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Families across the country gather to honor relatives and battle buddies this Memorial Day. In El Paso, the Travis Manion Foundation is one of the leading organizations for veteran services.

The organization's Honor Project started in 2021, and its goals is to show surviving friends and family that their loved ones will not be forgotten.

First lieutenant Travis Manion was killed in iraq in 2007 while helping a wounded solider. Since his death the foundation continues his legacy by providing surviving families with support.

The honor project keeps the memory of fallen soldiers alive and educates future generations on the importance of Memorial day.

Major General James Isenhower said "often times we get caught up in a Memorial day atmosphere that marks the beginning of summer, where it can even seem celebratory with sales and parades but for me, it's a little more somber. What's most important about today is remembering those who died for their country. And in doing so, set an inspirational example for all of us."

While many people may have the day off and plan to celebrate with family, please take a moment to recognize those who have lost their lives fighting for this county and the families they left behind.

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By ZEKE MILLER
AP White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day with a pledge that the country would continue the work of the nation’s fallen toward a more perfect union, “for which they lived, and for which they died.”

Delivering remarks at a solemn remembrance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden said each generation must ensure the sacrifice of the country’s service members is not in vain.

“Freedom has never been guaranteed,” Biden said under gray skies in the memorial amphitheater. “Every generation has to earn it, fight for it, defend it in the battle between autocracy and democracy, between the greed of a few, and the rights of many.”

He added: “On this day, we came together again to reflect, to remember, and above all, to recommit to the future they fought for, a future grounded in freedom, democracy, opportunity and equality. Not just for some, but for all.”

Before the ceremony began, Biden, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In his remarks, Biden invoked the anniversary this week of the death of his son Beau, who served in Iraq and later died from brain cancer that the president attributes to his time stationed near toxic burn pits, to highlight the importance of honoring the service of those who came home with injuries, in addition to the dead.

“Last year, the VA delivered more benefits and processed more claims than ever in our history,” Biden said, crediting the PACT Act which grants automatic coverage for certain health conditions suffered by veterans by presuming they result from their military service. “For too long after fighting for our nation, these veterans had to fight to get the right health care, to get the benefits they had earned, not anymore.”

Biden began the day hosting a breakfast at the White House for administration officials, military leaders, veterans, and Gold Star family members.

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ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico (KVIA) -- At times you hear them, and sometimes you can see them... F-16 combat fighter jets soaring high and fast over the southwestern skies.

Just to the north of El Paso, the Air Force's 54th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base trains about 100 of those skilled F-16 pilots every year. Very few of them are women.

First Lieutenant Lili Ruland is one of two female student pilots at Holloman Air Force Base.

"I recently had a mentor tell me, you are a minority in this field, says 1LT Ruland. "A fighter pilot isn't a gender. It's who you are that's deeper than that."

Captain Ashley Thaxton is the second.

"This jet doesn't care if I'm a male or female. It just cares that I'm a good fighter pilot, says Capt. Thaxton."

Both came from families deeply rooted in military service, and say they were inspired to serve their country from an early age.

"My dad was a Viper pilot as well," says Capt. Thaxton. "So he was a Viper pilot for 30 years, and I watched him growing up, going out to go fly, talking about it. I knew that was something I always wanted to do."

According to the Department of Defense, women make up about twenty percent of the Air Force. However, they were not always allowed to fly in combat.

In 1993, the military allowed women to fly combat missions for the first time.

It was one of the first combat roles that opened up to women in the military.

"It really just shows how much effort they put into having a diverse Air force, because that's truly what makes us stronger," Capt. Thaxton says.

The Air Force established the Women's Initiative Team to identify any barriers that impacted women who serve. Military uniforms, equipment, flight gear, grooming standards were designed originally for men.

Airman Mia Butter says female pilots are in need of well fitting flight gear.

"As a woman, it's like we need different "G" suits, says Amn Butter. "It's either going to be a big waist and then it's, like tight legs or it's going to be like, big, let's say, smaller waist."

That is just one example of the challenges faced in training female pilots.

Holloman AFB officials say they train fifty percent of all f-16 Viper pilots in the Air Force. That's a quarter of fighter pilots overall, both men and women.

"No matter how hard it might be, no matter how exhausted you might be the day before," says 1LT Ruland. "At the end of the day, we're going to be up in the air above the fight, and someone's going to be counting on us the ground."

I suited up and trained with these student pilots, learning and seeing what it takes to become one of the twenty-five percent.

I served twelve years in the Air Force myself, but never flew in an F-16.

First, I had to be medically cleared. I then headed to equipment fitting and gear testing, which was no easy fit.

"G" suits had to properly fit to ensure blood circulated through my body to keep me from passing out during flight. Large amounts of oxygen had to flow through my mask to make sure there was a proper seal. Straps that connect to the parachute were inspected in case we needed to eject form the aircraft during an emergency. After many safety briefings, I was ready to fly.

Major Christopher Luke, who goes by the call sign "Limbo", is assigned to the Eighth Fighter Squadron.

Call signs, originating in WWII, is an acronym or nickname given to describe a pilot's attributes and used to communicate via the radio.

In twelve years of flying, I was the second civilian ever to fly with Maj. Luke.

We take off and fly up to seven hundred miles per hour. The clouds hovered below us.

That's when I understood what 1LT Ruland meant when she said, "It doesn't feel real... with the beautiful mountains in the background and the blue sky. And then, you know, you come back and land. And I always tell my family, takeoff and landing is what feels real when you're in the air. It's like you're in a different world."

We reach forty thousand feet in the air and vertically drop to three hundred feet off the ground.

The forces took a physical toll. The pressure immobilizing my body to the point that at times, I couldn't take a breath.

Capt. Thaxton says, "So thankfully, the Air Force is starting to realize how much of a toll flying has put on our body."

We reach super sonic speeds and I felt seven times the force of gravity on my body.

"We have a super, all encompassing training program here. So not only do we have the flight line training, but we also have nutritionists, says 1LT Ruland. "We've got, athletic trainers, we've got massage therapists."

We land after about two hours in the air. I was here that I was given my call sign RAGE, which stands for:

Reporter Gets Aggressively Extruded. I was sick the entire flight.

Whenever flying, Capt. Thaxton and 1LT. Ruland remember the women who blazed the trail before them.

"Knowing that there were women that came before us, that had to pave the way and had to deal with really tough situations. But they established a path, says 1LT Ruland. "Now for young fighter pilots like Ashley and I, we get to show up every day and not really worry about any of the tough biases or anything like that, and we get to prove ourselves to be great fighter pilots every day, not just great female fighter pilots."

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Department of Defense (DOD) says that the estimated number of sexual assault and harassment reports made by active duty military members has dropped since 2021.

"This is the first time in nearly 10 years that the Department has seen a decrease in sexual assault prevalence," DOD officials stated Thursday. "The report also shows that a greater share of Service members reported their sexual incidents to a DoD authority, which the Department always encourages."

The new report looked at data from the 2023 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Military Members and sexual assault reporting data.

The department says it wants to continue improving the climate and culture of the military in order to further reduce the number of reported sexual assault and harassment cases.

"In 2023, about seven thousand fewer Service members experienced the crime of sexual assault than in 2021," said Dr. Nate Galbreath, the Acting Director of DoD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. "Progress like this is achievable when leaders align policy, resourcing, and the will to act collectively in the best interest of our people and our nation. It is imperative that this forward momentum continue."

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ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Just to the north of El Paso, the Air Force's 54th Fighter Group at Holloman Air Force Base trains about 100 skilled F-16 pilots every year. Very few of them are women.

First Lieutenant Lili Ruland is one of two female student pilots at Holloman Air Force Base.

"I recently had a mentor tell me, you are a minority in this field, says 1LT Ruland. "A fighter pilot isn't a gender. It's who you are that's deeper than that."

Captain Ashley Thaxton is the second.

"This jet doesn't care if I'm a male or female. It just cares that I'm a good fighter pilot, says Capt. Thaxton."

According to the Department of Defense, women make up about twenty percent of the Air Force. However, they were not always allowed to fly fighter jets in combat.

In 1993, the military allowed women to fly combat missions for the first time.

It was one of the first combat roles that opened up to women in the military.

"It really just shows how much effort they put into having a diverse Air force, because that's truly what makes us stronger," Capt. Thaxton says.

To highlight the role of women in the program, ABC-7's Crista Mack is taking flight in an F-16. Watch her special report Thursday, only on ABC-7 at 10.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVIA) -- The U.S. has sent $51.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the outbreak of war.

The Department of Defense just published a comprehensive list of all the things American tax dollars have bought for Ukraine.

You can look through the list for yourself below:

Air Defense

• One Patriot air defense battery and munitions;
• 12 National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions;
• HAWK air defense systems and munitions;
• AIM-7, RIM-7, and AIM-9M missiles for air defense;
• More than 2,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
• Avenger air defense systems;
• VAMPIRE counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) and munitions;
• c-UAS gun trucks and ammunition;
• mobile c-UAS laser-guided rocket systems;
• Other c-UAS equipment;
• Anti-aircraft guns and ammunition;
• Air defense systems components;
• Equipment to integrate Western launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s systems;
• Equipment to support and sustain Ukraine’s existing air defense capabilities;
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and
• 21 air surveillance radars.

Fires

• More than 40 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition;
• Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb launchers and guided rockets;
• 198 155mm Howitzers and more than 3,000,000 155mm artillery rounds;
• More than 7,000 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds;
• More than 50,000 155mm rounds of Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) Systems;
• 72 105mm Howitzers and more than 800,000 105mm artillery rounds;
• 10,000 203mm artillery rounds;
• More than 400,000 152mm artillery rounds;
• Approximately 40,000 130mm artillery rounds;
• 40,000 122mm artillery rounds;
• 60,000 122mm GRAD rockets;
• 47 120mm mortar systems;
• 10 82mm mortar systems;
• 112 81mm mortar systems;
• 58 60mm mortar systems;
• More than 400,000 mortar rounds;
• More than 100 counter-artillery and counter-mortar radars; and
• 50 multi-mission radars;

Ground Maneuver

• 31 Abrams tanks;
• 45 T-72B tanks;
• More than 300 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles;
• Four Bradley Fire Support Team vehicles;
• 189 Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers;
• More than 400 M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
• 250 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles;
• More than 1,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles;
• More than 3,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs);
• More than 200 light tactical vehicles;
• 300 armored medical treatment vehicles;
• 80 trucks and 144 trailers to transport heavy equipment;
• More than 1,000 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment;
• 131 tactical vehicles to recover equipment;
• 10 command post vehicles;
• 30 ammunition support vehicles;
• 18 armored bridging systems;
• 20 logistics support vehicles and equipment;
• 239 fuel tankers and 105 fuel trailers;
• 58 water trailers;
• Six armored utility trucks;
• 125mm, 120mm, and 105mm tank ammunition;
• More than 1,800,000 rounds of 25mm ammunition; and
• Mine clearing equipment.

Aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems

• 20 Mi-17 helicopters;
• Switchblade Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
• Phoenix Ghost UAS;
• CyberLux K8 UAS;
• Altius-600 UAS;
• Jump-20 UAS;
• Hornet UAS
• Puma UAS;
• Scan Eagle UAS;
• Penguin UAS;
• Two radars for UAS;
• High-speed Anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
• Precision aerial munitions;
• More than 6,000 Zuni aircraft rockets;
• More than 20,000 Hydra-70 aircraft rockets; and
• Munitions for UAS.

Anti-armor and Small Arms

• More than 10,000 Javelin anti-armor systems;
• More than 90,000 other anti-armor systems and munitions;
• More than 9,000 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• More than 40,000 grenade launchers and small arms;
• More than 400,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades;
• Laser-guided rocket systems and munitions;
• Rocket launchers and ammunition; and
• Anti-armor mines.

Maritime

• Two Harpoon coastal defense systems and anti-ship missiles;
• More than 70 coastal and riverine patrol boats;
• Unmanned Coastal Defense Vessels; and
• Port and harbor security equipment.

Other capabilities

• M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel munitions;
• C-4 explosives, demolition munitions, and demolition equipment for obstacle clearing;
• Obstacle emplacement equipment;
• Counter air defense capability;
• More than 100,000 sets of body armor and helmets;
• Tactical secure communications systems and support equipment;
• Four satellite communications (SATCOM) antennas;
• SATCOM terminals and services;
• Electronic warfare (EW) and counter-EW equipment;
• Commercial satellite imagery services;
• Night vision devices, surveillance and thermal imagery systems, optics, and rangefinders;
• Explosive ordnance disposal equipment and protective gear;
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear protective equipment;
• Medical supplies, including first aid kits, bandages, monitors, and other equipment;
• Field equipment, cold weather gear, generators, and spare parts; and
• Support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

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EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A suspect in the murder of a U.S. Army combat veteran in El Paso has pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal.

Brandon Olsen is one of five people who initially faced capital murder charges in Tyler Croke's death.

Croke was murdered on May 7, 2017. He was attacked while showering at a friend's apartment in east El Paso; Croke was held at gunpoint, then stabbed to death. One of the suspects also slit his throat.

The murder of Tyler Croke and the wait for justice was the subject of the Borderland Crimes podcast episode in May 2022. Click here to listen

On Monday, a plea hearing was held. Olsen's attorney said he pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of murder.

The range of punishment is between 5 to 99 years, or life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The criminal act involved four men and a woman. They are Tristan Chilton, Adam Acosta, Zachary Johnston, Brandon Olsen, and Stephanie Fernandez.

Fernandez, who served as the driver for the group, was convicted of capital murder in 2018.

With Olsen's agreement, this means the rest of the suspects accepted plea deals, including Acosta and Chilton on April 15.

Johnston accepted a deal in 2019, pleading guilty to murder. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

Sentencing for Olsen is scheduled for May 17, 2024.

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ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico (KVIA) -- An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed west of Holloman Air Force Base, near White Sands National Park, Tuesday morning.

The crash happened at 11:50 a.m., according to a spokesperson with the base.

The only pilot successfully ejected from the plane. He or she was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.

"All non-emergency personnel should avoid the area to prevent possible exposure to hazardous chemicals onboard the aircraft," according to the spokesperson. "Emergency response teams are responding to the scene using the entrance road into White Sands National Park. White Sands National Park is open but certain areas are currently closed to the public to allow for emergency response."

Officials say that officers are now investigating the crash. No other details are available.

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The Flying Legends of Victory Tour, featuring iconic WWII bombers B-17 Sentimental Journey and B-25 Maid in the Shade, arrived in El Paso, marking a historic moment for the Borderland.

Offering living history flight experiences, the tour kicked off a journey spanning twenty-three cities nationwide.

With only one media seat allocated, ABC-7 covered the event, highlighting the rare sighting of these legendary aircraft.

Passengers had the opportunity to fly in these historic planes, experiencing a glimpse into the past.

The tour's stop in El Paso drew attention to the bravery of WWII military personnel and honored their sacrifices.

The B-17 aircraft consumes 200 gallons of fuel per hour, equating to $3,200 per hour to operate.

Aboard both the B-17 and B-25, passengers can experience a profound emotional connection.

According to officials from the Flying Legends of Victory tour, the majority of military personnel riding these aircraft were merely 17 or 18 years old during WWII, with some knowing it would be a suicide mission.

Pilots, typically 23 years old, navigated these perilous missions.

Remarkably, they say only four B-17s remain worldwide, with this particular aircraft being the sole option for passenger flights—a rarity indeed.

Additionally, the distinctive sound of the B-17 and B-25 aircraft has been featured in the new Apple TV series, "Masters of the Air".

According to Shelby Bolke, a load master in the B-17 said, Women's Air Force service pilots were tasked with flying a wide array of aircraft, unlike their male counterparts who typically trained on a single plane.

These remarkable women ferried planes from factories to training bases across the nation, bridging gaps from California to New Jersey and beyond, aiding in wartime efforts.

With men predominantly occupied in factories or deployed overseas, women were called upon to fill crucial roles in aviation.

Initially relegated to flying trainers, they later transitioned to piloting pursuits, defying stereotypes of their capabilities.

If missed, the upcoming Amigo Air Show promises more aviation excitement.

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FORT BLISS, Texas - (KVIA) - Gary Sinise is an actor both on the big screen, stage and television series, a producer and musician best known for the Gary Sinise and The Lt. Dan Band.

It is a part of the Gary Sinise Foundation founded in 2011 which supports veterans, first responders and their families.

"September 11th happened. Then, you know, we started deploying, you know, to Afghanistan and Iraq and people started getting hurt," said Sinise. "You know, I just felt like there was something I could do to to let them know that, that we're behind them."

The Oscar-nominated star, played Lieutenant Dan in the blockbuster Forest Gump, a wounded Army veteran which he says was a role that changed his life.

"The story of Lieutenant Dan is a powerful good story, you know? And it's a happy ending story, which is it's, you know, for somebody who gets wounded in battle, we want them to end up, you know, doing well. And that's what happens." said Sinise, "It was a significant role in helping me to help other people who are serving our country." 

He has worked with military support organizations to give back to the troops and their families for their sacrifice.

"It just feels good to see the support from Lieutenant Dan," said Staff Sgt. J.J. Edgmon an Army flight medic who has served for 16 years. "So it just means a lot to us, I think for soldiers overall, for the morale. I mean, to have a concert out here in our park and just everyone get to come out and have a good time."

Sinise is a three-time Tony Award nominee, received an Obie award for Best Director, was nominated for Best Supporting actor for Forrest Gump, and an Emmy and two SAG awards. He is also a New York Times Best Selling author, and has received numerous humanitarian awards and recognitions, including the Presidential Citizen Medal, the second highest honor an American can receive.

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Update: ABC-7 spoke exclusively with one of the Veterans honored on Saturday. He served in WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

"I never had been on a trip like this before," said 98-year-old Louis Massengale, who began his service with the U.S. Marine Corps at just 18.

On the trip to Washington D.C. alongside dozens of other Veterans, Massengale laid the wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. He also received an award from Korea's Prime Minister; the second recognition bestowed on him for his service during that campaign.

"I did receive the Distinguished Service Medal from Korea, back during the days when that happened. But I was very surprised when I got this medal here Friday," said Massengale.

But after speaking with Massengale, it was obvious his dedication to his country is strong.

"This is a great country and we all should do everything we possibly can to protect it and keep it going strong, as always," he said. "To Americans now, continue to be strong, do the things that we have been doing for hundreds of years, and just hang in there. One of these days, and maybe we'll not see it, but it will be a peaceful world."

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- 30 Veterans who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars are receiving the welcome home they didn't get years ago Saturday, and Borderland residents are invited to join in honoring them.

For years, the Honor Flight of Southern New Mexico and El Paso has been sending our nation's heroes from the Borderland to Washington D.C. While there, the Veterans visit monuments built in honor of those who served.

After the trip, the Veterans are flown back home, where they receive a hero's welcome.

If you'd like to join in welcoming this year's group home, you can attend the event at the El Paso International Airport at 3:30 p.m.

For more information about the Honor Flight, click here.

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Washington (CNN) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed into law an aid package providing crucial military assistance to Ukraine, capping months of negotiations and debate.

The aid package, passed by the Senate late Tuesday evening and worth $95 billion in total, includes nearly $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. The package also includes a bill that could eventually lead to the banning of TikTok in the United States - giving Chinese parent company ByteDance roughly nine months to sell it or else it will be banned from app stores in the United States.

Wearing a US-Ukrainian flag pin and speaking from the White House after signing the bill on Wednesday, Biden said it was a “good day for America, a good day for Ukraine and a good day for world peace.”

The aid package, Biden said, is “going to make America safer. It’s going to make the world safer. And it continues America’s leadership in the world.”

The signing of the aid package was the culmination of months of tense negotiations, personal lobbying from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a split in the House Republican conference that continues to threaten the leadership position of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Hardline House conservatives opposed further US funding to Kyiv and threatened to oust Johnson over his handling of the negotiations. Conservatives in Congress have opposed additional assistance for what they view as an unwinnable war.

Biden had spent months lobbying Johnson to move forward with aid to Ukraine, enlisting top administration officials and CIA Director Bill Burns to lay out the stakes for Ukraine - and ultimately democracy in Europe and across the world - if Russia continued to make inroads in its military campaign there.

Earlier this year, Biden signaled his intentions to make significant immigration-related concessions if Congress were to move forward with the aid bill. Republicans in Congress had demanded those concessions, but retreated from the issue after former President Donald Trump signaled his opposition to allowing Biden to claim a win on an issue Trump hopes to campaign on.

He acknowledged the bumpy road to get the package passed in his remarks on Wednesday.

“It was a difficult path,” Biden said. “It should have been easier. It should have gotten there sooner. But in the end, we did what America always does: We rose to the moment, came together. We got it done.”

Spending the bulk of his remarks talking about the Ukraine aid, Biden noted that Russia has “been responsible for a brutal campaign against Ukraine.”

“They’ve killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians,” Biden said, “bombed hospitals … kindergartens, grain silos, tried to plunge Ukraine into a cold dark winter.”

But left unsaid in that statement is something that is likely to cause further frustrations from Biden’s left flank: Israel has also been accused of targeting hospitals in Gaza, using hunger as a weapon of war and carrying out an imprecise military campaign that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, many of them children. The aid package includes billions of dollars worth of additional military equipment for that country.

Some of the Democrats who voted against the bill cited the Israel aid as the reason why they did so.

The final vote in the Senate was 79-18. Fifteen Republicans voted with two Democrats and an independent against the bill. Among the senators who voted against the bill was Sen. Bernie Sanders, who spent time with Biden earlier this week and said he was against further US funding of Israel’s war in Gaza.

“Enough is enough,” Sanders said in a post on X shortly after the bill’s passage. “No more money for [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s war machine.”

Funding going to Ukraine quickly

The bill’s effects will be felt most quickly and acutely on battlefields in Ukraine, whose soldiers have faced ammunition shortages and battlefield losses in the absence of US assistance this year.

Biden said the shipments of military supplies to Ukraine will begin “in the next few hours,” and would include air-defense equipment and munitions for artillery and rocket systems, along with armored vehicles.

The Pentagon announced a $1 billion aid package would go to Ukraine just moments after Biden signed the bill into law.

Among the capabilities included in the new package is ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), artillery rounds, RIM-7 and AIM-9M air defense missiles, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and more. It also includes various logistics and tactical vehicles, anti-armor systems, training munitions and spare parts, and small arms ammunition including .50 caliber rounds to counter drones.

CNN reported Tuesday that administration officials have indicated to Congress the US would send long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, a system Ukraine has long asked for. The Pentagon revealed it already sent those long-range missiles earlier this month after Biden spoke.

Biden secretly approved the transfer of the long-range missiles in February for use inside Ukrainian territory. The ATACMS missiles were then quietly included in the $300 million aid package announced on March 12 and ultimately delivered to Ukraine earlier this month, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn.

“It was not announced that we are providing Ukraine with this new capability at the time in order to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Garn said, deferring questions about their use to Ukraine’s military.

Last fall, the US first sent Ukraine the mid-range variant of the ATACMS missile system, which can reach about 100 miles, while the longer-range version can reach as far as 190 miles.

Ukrainian officials have been asking the US in private and in public for the long-range missiles to target deeper behind Russian lines. American officials have previously resisted, citing supply issues and concerns about further provoking Moscow if they are deployed.

Biden’s campaign will continue to use TikTok

Biden’s campaign will still utilize TikTok to reach voters, officials say, despite Biden signing the potential ban into law.

The decision underscores the fraught dynamic of the platform, which is owned by a Chinese company. While national security officials, including those in the Biden administration, have warned of its risks, it remains enormously popular with young Americans, who Biden will rely upon to win reelection.

Asked Wednesday whether the campaign would continue using the app, an official said it would.

“A fragmented media environment requires us to show up and meet voters where they are – and that includes online,” the official said. “TikTok is one of many places we’re making sure our content is being seen by voters. When the stakes are this high in the election, we are going to use every tool we have to reach young voters where they are. We are using enhanced security measures.”

Biden joined Tiktok earlier this year, and often posts video meant to contrast his policies with Trump, who is not on the platform.

The bill Biden signed Wednesday gives TikTok’s Chinese parent, ByteDance, 270 days to sell TikTok. Failure to do so would lead to significant consequences: TikTok would be prohibited from US app stores and from “internet hosting services” that support it.

That would effectively restrict new downloads of the app and interaction with its content. Biden’s decision to sign the bill on Wednesday puts the deadline for a sale at January 19, 2025. Under the legislation, however, Biden could extend the deadline another 90 days if he determines the company’s made progress toward a sale, giving TikTok potentially up to a year before facing a ban.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

CNN’s Haley Britzky, Oren Liebermann and Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report.

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(CNN) — The US delivered long-range missiles to Ukraine earlier this month that the Biden administration had previously refused to send following a directive from President Joe Biden, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Biden secretly approved the transfer of the long-range ATACMS missiles in February for use inside Ukrainian territory. The ATACMS missiles were then quietly included in the $300 million aid package announced on March 12 and ultimately delivered to Ukraine earlier this month, according to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn.

“It was not announced that we are providing Ukraine with this new capability at the time in order to maintain operational security for Ukraine at their request,” Garn said, deferring questions about their use to Ukraine’s military.

More of the missiles are expecting to be included in the new military assistance package the Pentagon announced on Wednesday after Biden signed into law an aid package providing nearly $61 billion in assistance for Ukraine following months of delays in Congress.

Last fall, the US first sent Ukraine the mid-range variant of the ATACMS missile system, which can reach about 100 miles, while the longer-range version can reach as far as 190 miles.

Ukrainian officials have been asking the US in private and in public for the long-range missiles to target deeper behind Russian lines. American officials have previously resisted, citing supply issues and concerns about further provoking Moscow if they are deployed.

This story is breaking and will be updated.

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