In Our Communities

February 25, 2026

Virginia to Host Inaugural Statewide Defense Forum in April

Community leaders, state officials, military leaders and defense industry representatives from across Virginia will meet in Norfolk April 1 and 2 for the Virginia Defense Forum in partnership with ADC.

“Our military’s readiness begins locally in the communities that host our defense installations and industrial base,” the event website says. “The forum will feature dynamic panels, inspiring keynote speakers, senior commonwealth and federal leadership engagement, a networking reception on the Battleship Wisconsin and so much more.”

Visit the website to view the two-day agenda, learn more about the event and register.

Huntsville Hosts Army Drone Warfighting Competition

The University of Alabama Huntsville was among the hosts of the Army’s first-ever Best Drone Warfighter Competition last week in Huntsville, which included more than 200 military competitors, according to Military.com.

“The competition provided a realistic, real-world operating environment—rather than a traditional military range—allowing warfighters to test, fail, adapt and improve in conditions that more closely reflect modern operational settings prior to deployment,” said Jerry Hendrix, executive director of the UAH Rotorcraft Systems Engineering & Simulation Center.

Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jamison Sutton

February 25, 2026

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