Nearly 200 injured service members compete in 2026 Warrior Games

Nearly 200 service members competed in 12 adaptive sports during the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio, Texas. All participants have service-related injuries including physical wounds, traumatic brain injuries, visual impairments or PTSD. Army Maj. Jonathan Turnbull lost his right eye and punctured his left eye in a 2019 ISIS suicide bombing in Manbij, Syria.

Doctors initially gave him 12 hours to live and said he would be unable to walk, talk or form new memories if he survived. Turnbull enlisted after the September 11 attacks and had extended his deployment to continue operations against ISIS.

Turnbull described deciding to stay in Syria after being asked by his commander. "Without hesitation, it was, 'Yes sir, absolutely. Put me in. Count me in. Let's do this, you know, for freedom, for justice, for America, let's go,'" he said. The blast killed four Americans and injured two others.

Nine months after the explosion, Turnbull ran the Army 10-miler. He now competes completely blind in archery, cycling, field events, indoor rowing, powerlifting, precision air rifle, swimming and track. He was named team SOCOM's Ultimate Champion.

"So I view the 'Warrior Games' really as a springboard to what's next in your life. Ideally, it could be a return to active duty," said David Paschal, Warrior Games director. Prince Harry attended on Sunday; his 2013 visit inspired the creation of the Invictus Games.

Paschal said the event shows service members what they remain capable of despite injuries. The Department of Veterans Affairs reported in 2024 that about 17 veterans die by suicide every day.