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Who are the Bushmasters? The history of the Arizona soldiers injured in drone strike

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Who are the Bushmasters? The history of the Arizona soldiers injured in drone strike


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The 158th Infantry Regiment Bushmasters were famous for their displays of bravery and valor in defending the United States in World War II. The group, which was started in Arizona, is a major part of the state’s military history.

During a drone attack in Jordan on Jan. 28, 40 U.S. service members were injured and three were killed with more than half of the wounded from the Arizona National Guard’s 158th Infantry Regiment. Most of the injured troops have returned to duty, officials said Saturday.

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Here is what we know about who the Bushmasters are, their Arizona roots and how they have historically aided the United States military.

What is the 158th Infantry Regiment?

The Bushmasters can trace their history back to the 1st Arizona Volunteer Infantry in 1865, according to a history of the group provided by the Arizona National Guard. The first unit of Bushmasters consisted of five companies, some Pima and Maricopa Indians and some Sonoran Mexicans. These individuals fought in several campaigns against Apache Indians during the Apache Wars.

According to the history, 250 Arizona guardsmen joined Col. Leonard Wood’s 1st United States Calvary. During the Cuban campaign, they adopted the unit motto, “Cuidado!” It means to look out or beware. They were also known as the “Rough Riders” under Col. Theodore Roosevelt.

In 1917, the 1st Arizona Volunteers were redesignated as the 158th Infantry Regiment. In 1940, the regiment was mobilized for federal service.

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How did the 158th Infantry Regiment get the name Bushmasters?

According to the history, the group received the name “Bushmasters” during their time in the Panama Canal Zone in 1941. There they underwent a jungle training program and, due to frequent encounters with the bushmaster snake, the regiment adopted the name “Bushmasters.”

What did the Bushmasters do in WWII?

During the Second World War, the Bushmasters suffered more than 1,400 casualties, according to the National World War II Museum. According to the history, the group’s first battle of the war was at Arawe, New Britain, in January 1944. They dislodged a 9,000-man Japanese defense and established control over western New Britain.

In 1944, they fought against the 26th Japanese “Tiger” division and secured Wakde-Samai. In the same year, they attacked Noemfoor Island. After several weeks of fighting, they won the battle and secured the airspace.

The year after, in 1945, they fought for 21 days in the Philippines, cleared the Damortis-Rosario Road and prevented a Japanese counterattack of the Sixth Army. During the fighting on Jan. 14, 1945, otherwise known as “Bloody Sunday,” 25 soldiers died and 65 were wounded in action.

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The Bushmasters never lost a battle to the Japanese.

More about it: Arizona’s connection to iconic flag-raising at Iwo Jima during World War II

How are the Bushmasters connected to Arizona and what do they do now?

The Bushmasters were originally the 1st Arizona Volunteer Infantry. They fought in the Apache Wars, Spanish-American War and World War II. After the war, the Bushmasters were deactivated, but the group was reactivated in Glendale in 1948.

In 1967, then Arizona Gov. Jack Williams signed a law establishing Dec. 3 as “Bushmaster Day” in Arizona.

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In recent years, the Bushmasters have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. From 2005 to 2006, some of the Bushmasters deployed to Iraq to help aid in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where they conducted operations as part of the International Coalition. In 2007, the Bushmasters deployed to Afghanistan to help Operation Enduring Freedom, where they conducted operations as part of the International Security Assistance Force.

The Bushmasters deployed continuously in support of the Global War on Terrorism from 2010 to 2016. In 2018, they were part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan, where they assisted Afghanistan’s defense and security forces.

In September 2023, members of the Arizona National Guard were deployed as part of Operation Spartan Shield to provide “law and order and personal security capabilities” for roughly one year, according to Capt. Erin Hannigan, a spokesperson for the National Guard.

Republic reporter Perry Vandell contributed to this article.

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Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game

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Arizona baseball falls to ASU in midweek nonconference game


TEMPE – The Phoenix metro has not been kind to Arizona baseball through the first month of the season.

Arizona fell to rival ASU 10-4 on Tuesday night in front of a packed crowd at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Wildcats clawed back after falling behind 6-1, but the Sun Devils closed the door in the late innings.

The nonconference game was the first of five matchups between the rivals, with the UA hosting a 3-game Big 12 Conference series in early April followed by one more non-league game in Tempe.

Arizona (6-10) is now 0-4 in the Phoenix area, with three losses coming in the opening weekend College Baseball Series in Surprise. Arizona dropped to 0-3 in midweek games.

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Collin McKinney got the start for the Wildcats, allowing four earned runs on five hits and six strikeouts. McKinney conceded one run in the first inning but escaped out of a bases loaded jam. He looked sharp until giving up a 2-run homer to ASU’s Dean Toigo in the fourth inning.

“We saw the velocity at times. We saw the breaking stuff,” Arizona coach Chip Hale said. “It was very encouraging from us on our side for him.“

The Sun Devils tacked on three more runs in the fourth, including a 2-run blast from Landon Hairston off reliever Matthew Martinez.

Arizona answered in the sixth inning when sophomore catcher Roman Meyers drilled a 450-feet 3-run homer to bring the score to 6-4. It was Meyers’ third homer of the season.

“He always has a chance. He’s got massive power,” Hale said. “So if he hits it he has a chance for a home run.”

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Arizona’s five through nine hitters combined for six of the team’s eight hits, led by 2-hit games from Caleb Danzeisen and Cash Brennan.

Arizona’s offense, however, couldn’t keep up with the Sun Devils, who added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to pull away. Wildcats pitchers gave up eight free bases on the night.

Arizona is back in action Friday when it begins Big 12 play at Utah. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.



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WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’

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WATCH: How Helping One Woman provides hope and support with ‘Girl’s Night Out’


PEORIA, AZ — What if a simple dinner could help someone rebuild their life? In Peoria, a local chapter of Helping One Woman is doing just that by gathering once a month for a “Girls Night Out” with a powerful purpose.

Each month, women in the community nominate someone facing an unimaginable challenge: the loss of a spouse or child, a cancer diagnosis, or another life-altering hardship. That woman becomes the evening’s honoree.

At the dinner, attendees each contribute at least $10 and take part in raffles supported by local businesses. By the end of the night, the funds raised are gifted directly to the recipient to help with expenses during a difficult time.

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But organizers say the money is only part of the impact. The room full of encouragement, hugs, and shared support can be just as powerful.

ABC15’s Cameron Polom talked with the Peoria chapter president and two women whose lives were changed thanks to the group’s generosity. See the full Uplifting Arizona story in the video player above.

See more from Uplifting Arizona:





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What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports

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What have the Cardinals done in NFL free agency? – Arizona Sports


The NFL’s legal tampering window is officially open, and it didn’t take long for the Arizona Cardinals to get in the mix.

A running list of the new names and familiar faces coming to Arizona in 2026:

New names on Cardinals roster this free agency

Kendrick Bourne

The former San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots wide receiver brings another body to Arizona’s wide receivers room that includes Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr.

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He’s got plenty of familiarity with new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur from their time together in San Francisco (2017-20). Bourne also spent a year with expected Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett in 2024 with the Patriots.

The wide receiver caught 37 passes for 551 yards in 16 games played (eight starts) last year.

He’s now on board for two years in Arizona.

Isaac Seumalo

The guard spent the past three years with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a seven-season stint with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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He’s started 104 out of 125 games played and has spent time at both left and right guard during his NFL career.

According to Next Gen Stats, the guard allowed a 3.7% pressure rate last year. That was the lowest rate among all eligible guards in 2025.

Gardner Minshew

Minshew agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Monday.

He’s expected to back up expected starter Jacoby Brissett in 2026, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.

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Coming off his seventh NFL season and first with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minshew appeared in four games (one start) last year. He completed 46.2% of his throws for 37 yards and an interception.

Before landing with the Chiefs, Minshew spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2023), Philadelphia Eagles (2021-22) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-20).

RB Tyler Allgeier

Allgeier comes over to Arizona on a reported two-year contract.

Before agreeing to terms on the $12.25 million deal with Arizona on Monday, Allgeier played four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

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He ran for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries last year, while adding another 14 catches for 96 yards.

While he worked mostly behind Bijan Robinson the past three years, Allgeier did surpass the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in 2022.

Familiar faces

L.J. Collier

Collier is back on a one-year deal.

The defensive lineman appeared in four games in 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2.

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He recorded six tackles and two QB hits in what was his third season with the team.

Roy Lopez

After a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions, Lopez is back with his hometown team on a reported two-year deal.

In 17 games played last year, he recorded two sacks, four tackles for loss and a pass defensed.

Before his time in Detroit, Lopez spent two seasons with Arizona from 2023-24. During that span, he registered a sack, six tackles for loss, three passes defensed and a forced fumble in 30 games played (21 starts).

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K Chad Ryland

Ryland is back on a one-year deal, the team announced.

Ryland went through plenty of struggles last season after a having a career year in 2024. His accuracy dropped from 87.5% in 2024 to 75.8% last season. He was especially inconsistent from 40 yards and on, compiling a 13-of-20 mark (65%). Inside 40 yards, though, Ryland was 12-of-13 (92.3%).

Arizona brought in kicker Josh Karty late in the year (more on him later), but Ryland never gave up his role and appeared in all 17 games.

A one-year deal isn’t going to break the bank by any means.

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P Blake Gillikin

The Cardinals must feel pretty good about where Gillikin is at in his recovering from a back injury last year with their signing of the punter to a one-year deal.

Before he went down five games into the season, the punter was leading the league in yards per punt with 51.7.

Not only that, across his five seasons (65 games) in the NFL, he holds the all-time record for yards per punt at 48.5.

Staying healthy is key for Gillikin, who also missed time in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

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RB James Conner

Technically not a free agent, Conner was a potential cut candidate given his contract.

But after reportedly revising his deal, Conner is returning for his sixth season with the Cardinals.

The running back brings plenty of leadership and a bruising running style to the mix.

He’s coming off an abbreviated 2025 (three games) due to an ankle injury but had rushed for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons the two years prior. He scored at least seven rushing touchdowns each season from 2022-24.

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CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Much like Conner, Murphy-Bunting was another prime cut candidate due to his contract but reportedly revised his deal with Arizona as well.

Murphy-Bunting has a lot to prove after missing all of 2025 due to an injury suffered away from the team facility.

In his first season with the Cardinals, the cornerback recorded 52 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles across 15 starts.

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