The Miami Valley's strong military presence shapes our region's identity, economy, and community character. WYSO's military coverage spans the full spectrum of defense-related stories, from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base operations and defense contracting to military family life and community partnerships.
Our reporting examines how military policies affect local service members and their families, including deployment cycles, housing challenges, spouse employment, and children's education. We explore the unique dynamics of military communities, from base life to the integration of military families into civilian neighborhoods and schools.
Coverage includes the region's defense industry ecosystem, featuring stories about aerospace innovation, research partnerships between Wright-Patterson and local universities, and the economic impact of military installations on southwestern Ohio. We also highlight military community events, ceremonies, and traditions that connect service members with civilian neighbors.
Beyond individual military branches, this tag encompasses stories about military culture, inter-service cooperation, reserve and National Guard units, and the civilian workforce supporting military missions. Our coverage recognizes that military life extends far beyond service members themselves, affecting spouses, children, and entire communities.
From policy changes affecting local installations to community support initiatives for military families, WYSO's military reporting reflects the complex relationships between military service, family life, and civic engagement in a region where defense communities are deeply woven into the broader social and economic fabric.
This comprehensive approach ensures our coverage serves both military and civilian audiences, fostering understanding and connection across the Miami Valley's diverse communities.
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Mike Carrell discusses helping universities support military students, while WYSO hosts and Army vets Dave and Diamond Smith share some of their campus experiences. -
MilitaryAfter struggling with post-military depression, Air Force veteran William Bowers now helps fellow veterans start businesses, using his military skills to fuel success. -
Dutch POW secretly documented his WWII captivity in Japan through a hidden diary. He needed a strong spirit to survive his ordeal. A story of resilience & reconciliation. -
Sugarcreek Township, Ohio, to honor D-Day veteran Jim 'Pee Wee' Martin with a new memorial, marking his heroism 81 years after he jumped into WWII with the 101st Airborne -
The Rosie Project helps military spouses build careers in information technology. A new partnership with Clark State College will offer college courses in network administration, cloud computing, and cyber security. -
More than 15,000 civilian employees work at Wright-Patt. The Fairborn, Ohio, base is one of the largest in the nation. Base officials declined to comment on how many, if any, employees have been or could be dismissed. -
Eighty years ago, during World War II, the United States operated full-scale military operations worldwide while planning how to wage peace once the guns fell silent. -
Jonas Bender is a former Yellow Springs resident who became one of the first Black Marines. He was stationed at Funafuti and the Ellice and Marshall Islands during WWII. -
Long before there were air ambulance companies like CareFlight, and TV shows like 'China Beach' and 'M*A*S*H,' Valérie André was flying rescue missions in combat zones. -
Cornerstone Research Group has developed heated boot liners that autonomously activate in temperatures as low as minus 49 degrees Fahrenheit. -
The Air Force base reported additional unmanned aerial systems flying near Wright-Patt again, but said they didn't violate its protected airspace. -
Charlie Palumbo, the Military Voices Initiative Manager at StoryCorps, says everyone who served in the military or supported those in service has a story that matters.
