15 Fort Jackson soldiers fine after nearby lightning strike

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Fifteen soldiers in South Carolina escaped injury when lightning struck nearby during a training exercise.

Fort Jackson spokesman Pat Jones told news outlets the soldiers were under a lightning-safe structure shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday when lightning struck about 160 feet (50 meters) away.

Fifteen soldiers were taken to a Columbia hospital and were released after being checked Thursday evening. There were no injuries.

RELATED

Lightning strike injures Ranger instructors, students

Forty Ranger students and four instructors were taken to the hospital Wednesday after they were hit by lightning.

By Michelle Tan

The soldiers were members of the 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment.

Fort Jackson is the Army’s largest training installation, with more than 50,000 recruits assigned there annually.

In Other News

Lawmakers warn Hegseth against political firings of generals

A bipartisan group of lawmakers asked Hegseth for justifications and transparency before any decisions to dismiss senior uniformed leaders.

Cuts to staff, budget will boost military strength, Hegseth says

Hegseth promised to reinvest budget savings in other military programs and jettison civilian workers who are not living up to expectations.

White House eyes 8% cut to defense budget to boost Trump priorities

The move could reduce defense spending projections by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next five years.

VA leadership nominee grilled over recent department layoffs

President Donald Trump nominated Paul Lawrence to serve as the second-highest leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Tricare snafus cause medical shortfalls for military families

Military families are struggling to get medical appointments as some health care providers drop Tricare beneficiaries due to lack of payment.

Load More