Photos from February, 2007

MONROVIA, Liberia — U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Stephanie Adams joins in with a local Monrovian dancer upon the arrival of the USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) here Feb. 15. As the first U.S. military ship to conduct a pierside port visit to Liberia in more than 17 years, Legare is taking part in a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa initiative to improve maritime security and safety in the region. A task group comprised of Legare, USS Kauffman (FFG 59) and elements of Destroyer Squadron 60 are deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen regional maritime partnerships. (Department of Defense photo by Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Holly Harrison) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
FORT GREELY, Alaska — T.V. Poland correspondent Piotr Krasko talks with Army Col. Thom Becsh, Operations Support Group Alaska commander, about the Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) during an interview. The EKV is the part of the ground based interceptor that will collide with an incoming inter-continental ballistic missile in space. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. Jack W. Carlson III) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SIGONELLA, Sicily — Fire fighters pull a victim to safety from a simulated airplane crash, while other personnel proceed to put out the fire during Neptune Reponse '07 herre Feb. 22. Neptune Response ’07 is a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) drill designed to familiarize Navy employees in Italy, their families and local communities with life-saving emergency procedures in a time of crisis. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Chad Zenthoefer) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LUANDA, Angola — After a USS Kauffman (FFG 59) bridge instruments demonstration by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Coulson, an Angolan Navy Sailor explains to his shipmates the importance of propulsion in restricted maneuvering situations. The Feb. 22 joint navigation training in Luanda is part of a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa initiative to improve maritime security by helping African partners build core competencies and capability. A task group comprised of Kauffman, USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) and elements of Destroyer Squadron 60 is currently deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen Regional Maritime Partnerships. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Dallas) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Air Force Staff Sgt. LeAnn Smith receives the 2006 Headquarters U.S. European Command's Combined Federal Campaign Special Merit Award on behalf of the combined offices of the deputy commander, command staff and security matters from Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, EUCOM deputy commander, right; Marine Maj. Gen. William D. Catto, EUCOM chief of staff; and Renee S. Acosta, president and chief executive officer of Global Impact; at a ceremony here Feb. 22. The Special Merit Award is the top CFC award and is given to the organization that demonstrates the greatest improvement in average monetary gifts, total contributions and participation from the previous year's campaign. During the 2006 campaign, EUCOM and its components pledged $6,080,215 through the CFC drive which allows military personnel and federal employees to contribute to thousands of nonprofit organizations. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Devin L. Fisher) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KOPER, Slovenia - Army Maj. Robert Redding, deputy chief, Office of Defense Cooperation American Embassy, Ljubljana, Slovenia, (left) conducts final coordination here Feb. 14 with Slovenian Armed Forces Lt. Colonel Miha Skerbinc-Barbo, 10th Motorized Battalion commander, and Colonel Anton Tunja, 1st Brigade commander, prior to the deployment of Slovenia’s 10th Motorized Battalion to Kosovo. Their discussion was regarding the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between Slovenia and the United States, which allows Slovenia access to the U.S. military logistics system in order to support vehicle maintenance and soldier support services during the deployment. The 10th Motorized Battalion is the largest Slovene unit to be deployed operationally outside of Slovenia. (Department of State photo by Gašper Kresnik, Office of Defense Cooperation, American Embassy Ljubljana, Slovenia) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LUANDA, Angola — Navy Captain John Nowell, Commander Destroyer Squadron 60, shakes hands with an Angolan Navy Sailor here Feb. 20. The Sailor was part of a contingent of Angolan Navy representatives that greeted USS Kauffman (FFG 59) upon her arrival in Luanda for a four-day port visit to enhance ties with the Central African country. A task group comprised of USS Kauffman, USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) and elements of Destroyer Squadron 60 are deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen partnerships and improve maritime security and safety. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Dallas) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART-VAIHINGEN, Germany — Army Col. Alpo Portelli, chief of the European Division, U.S. European Command Directorate of Strategy, Policy and Assessments, left, and Colonel Samandar Mammadov, Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan Chief of Division, Operations and Combat Training Department, discuss issues during the EUCOM-Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan Colonels’ Working Group meeting here Feb. 21. The three-day working group is the first event designed to bring key Azerbaijani officers from its Ministry of Defense together with key officers from EUCOM and its components to discuss the EUCOM-Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan Work Plan. The Work Plan defines mutual objectives, implementation plans and assessment tools that serve to more effectively coordinate EUCOM security cooperation efforts with Azerbaijan. The Work Plan process continues in April 2007 with the Bilateral Cooperation and Planning Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, where activities supporting the objectives agree Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KASENYI, Uganda — U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Leonard gives land navigation tips to Ugandan army soldiers before they head out to search the terrain for markers during a land navigation course on Forward Operating Location here, Feb. 13, 2008. Leonard is assigned to The Old Guard, 3rd Regiment, 1st Battalion, Delta Company, which is tasked with training Ugandan soldiers in a 16-week course. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PORT GENTIL, Gabon — U.S. Navy Commodore John Nowell, commander Task Group 60.4, presents a Gabonese student his personal coin at a school here Feb. 12 during a port visit. A task group comprised of USS Kauffman, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter USCG Legare (WMEC 912), and elements of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa staff, is deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen regional maritime partnerships. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Dallas) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SIGONELLA, Sicily — The U.S. European Command Component Logistics Conference was held at Naval Air Station Sigonella Feb. 15. The conference brings EUCOM logistics component chiefs together on a quarterly basis to ensure each has visibility of logistics issues and initiatives within EUCOM's 92-nation area of operation. Pictured above from left to right are: Brig. Gen. Mike Lally, III Corps Support Command commanding general; Brig. Gen. Duane Jones, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Navy Rear Adm. Mike Lyden, EUCOM; Brig. Gen. Yves Fontaine, U.S. Army, Europe; Capt. Mike Lucas, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe; Col. Steve Heesacker, Special Operations Command, Europe; and Maj. Mike McGuinness, representing U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe. Representatives from the Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Transportation Command and the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command were also in attendance. (Department of Defense photo Air Force Maj. Dewey Dorau) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PORT GENTIL, Gabon — USS Kauffman (FFG 59) Sailors Petty Officer 3rd Class Justus Johnson (right) and Petty Office 2nd Class Philip Brooks (left) conduct hands-on damage control training with Gabonese Navy sailors Feb. 13. In conjunction with USS Kauffman's Feb. 10-14 port visit to Port Gentil, the training is part of a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa initiative to improve maritime security by helping African partners build core competencies and capability. A task group comprised of USS Kauffman, USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) and elements of Destroyer Squadron 60 is currently deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen regional maritime partnerships. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Dallas) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MUNICH, Germany — Army Gen. John Craddock Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and commander of U.S. European Command, prepares for a media opportunity during the 43rd Annual Munich Conference on Security Policy held here Feb. 9-11. The Munich Conference on Security Policy is an annual event, currently in its 43rd year, that encourages world leaders to discuss security policy, problems and solutions in a frank and open forum. (Department of Defense photo by Arthur McQueen, U.S. Army, Europe Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PRAIA, Cape Verde — Military communicators from 22 nations gathered here Feb. 13-16 for the Africa Endeavor 07 mid-planning conference. Military representatives finalized communications interoperability tests to be conducted during the U.S. European Command-sponsored exercise, scheduled for July, in Ditholo, South Africa. Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DAKAR, Senegal — Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Coulson and other USS Kauffman (FFG 59) Sailors practice hand-to-hand combat techniques with Senegalese Military Commandos here Jan. 29. In conjunction with Kauffman's Jan. 27-31 port visit to Dakar, the training is part of a U.S. European Command initiative to improve maritime security by helping African partners build core competencies and capability. A task group comprised of USS Kauffman, USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) and elements of Destroyer Squadron 60 is currently deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen Regional Maritime Partnerships. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn Simmons) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PORT GENTIL, Gabon — Gabonese Commandant Yves Desire Olingo (left), Regional Navy Commander of Port Gentil province; Commodore John Nowell (center), Commander Destroyer Squadron 60; and Commander Chris Rhoden, commanding officer USS Kauffman (FFG 59); discuss maritime security and safety issues during a meeting in Port Gentil Feb. 12. The meeting was part of the Kauffman's Feb. 10-14 port visit to Port Gentil. A task force comprised of USS Kauffman, USCGC Legare (WMEC 912) and elements of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa staff, is currently deployed to the Gulf of Guinea to strengthen Regional Maritime Partnerships.(Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony Dallas) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MUNICH, Germany — Defense Secretary Robert Gates addresses the audience during the 43rd Annual Conference on Security Policy here Feb. 11. The theme for the conference is "Global Crisis-Global Responsibilities" and Gates' speech is about "The Transatlantic Relationship in the 21st Century." (Department of Defense photo by Cherie A. Thurlby ) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE CENTER FOR MAN AND AVIATION, Netherlands — Students look on during a pre-flight brief in the high-altitude training chamber Feb. 7 at the Center for Man and Aviation in the Netherlands. The chamber simulates altitudes up to 30,000 feet and allows students to see firsthand the effects of hypoxia. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Leigh Bellinger) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MONROVIA, Liberia — Medics from U.S. Air Forces in Europe, including Senior Master Sgt. Daryl Webb (in sunglasses) and Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Burrell (black t-shirt), 435th Medical Group, join members of the Armed Forces of Liberia in stabilizing a victim from an auto accident Feb. 8. The USAFE medics had completed two days of training the AFL members on quick treatment and transport of trauma victims just moments earlier. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Maj. Kimberly Pietszak) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Army Col. Mike Anderson, U.S. European Command Inspector General, talks with Bosnian Brig. Gen. Rizvo Pleh, Bosnian Armed Forces’ first inspector general, during his inaugural partnership visit here Feb. 8. The two discussed their IG systems in order to exchange best practices and learn from each other. (Department of Defense photo by Capt. Beverly Mock, U.S. European Command Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SIGONELLA, Sicily — Navy aviation ordnancemen, assigned to the “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5), run a cable from the 196DE Hoist to help lift a AGM-65 Maverick captive air-launched training missile to a pylon attached to the wing of a P-3C Orion aircraft Feb. 7. VP-5, homeported in Jacksonville Fla., is forward deployed in support of maritime patrol operations and the global war on terrorism. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Harry J. Rucker III) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VARNA, Bulgaria — USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) Commanding Officer Navy Cmdr. Anthony J. Parisi plants a tree in the playground of an elementary school during a community relations project while in port Feb. 7. The ship's port visit supports U.S. European Command's strategic priority of improving maritime security and safety. The Sullivans, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer home ported in Mayport, Fla., has been deployed to EUCOM area of responsibility since late November. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian Goyak) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates responds to a question during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing about the 2008 Defense Department budget with Tina Jonas, right, under secretary of defense comptroller, her Feb. 6. (Department of Defense photo by Cherie A. Thurlby) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenian Deputy Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Artur Aghabekyan provides opening remarks on Armenian defense reform at a conference co-sponsored by the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and the Armenian Ministry of Defense here Feb. 5. The seminar was organized by the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, a German-American partnership, at the request of the U.S. European Command's Office of Defense Cooperation in Yerevan. (Department of Defense photo by Joe Ferrare, George C. Marshall Center Public Affairs Office) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England (right) looks on as Italian Under Secretary of State for Defense Giovanni Lorenzo Foreieri signs a memorandum of understanding concerning the Joint Strike Fighter Program, at the Pentagon, Feb. 7. The document establishes a framework for cooperation in the production, sustainment and follow-on development of the F-35 aircraft. (Department of Defense photo by R. D. Ward) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
HEIDELBERG, Germany — U.S. Army, Europe Commander Gen. David McKiernan (left) presented Lt. Gen. Edward Pietrzyk, the former commander of Polish Land Forces, with the Legion of Merit, degree of Commander here Feb. 6. Pietrzyk's wife, Anna was presented with a yellow rose and a Certificate of Appreciation for her work increasing the cultural understanding between the United States and Poland. McKiernan decribed Poland as "capable and great allies" stating that he is very proud of the fact that U.S. and Polish troops have already served shoulder-to-shoulder in the Global War on Terrorism, and that over the past six years, Pietrzyk's transformation of the Polish military and combined training with the United States has brought about great positive changes in the relationship between the two militaries. Now retired from the military after 40 years of service, Pietrzyk will continue to serve his nation as the Polish ambassador to Iraq. (Department of Defense photo by A Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DAKAR, Senegal — Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, U.S. European Command deputy commander, thanks Senegalese Army Brig. Gen. Abdel Kader Gueye for hosting the third Trans-Sahara Partnership Chiefs of Defense Conference here Feb. 7. Ten nations, including Algeria, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and the United States, participated in the event. The conference, which was previously held in Stuttgart, Germany and Malta, provided participants an opportunity to discuss emerging issues in their joint efforts to make Africa's Trans-Saharan region stable and secure. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Maj. Shane Abrahamson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (right) escorts visiting Romanian Minister of Defense Sorin Frunzaverde through a cordon of honor guards and into the Pentagon Feb. 2. The two defense leaders held bilateral security talks during a breakfast meeting. Romania is is located within U.S. European Command's 92-country area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by R. D. Ward) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DUBROVNIK, Croatia — U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Robert Bradtke, right, receives a tour of Military Sealift Command ship USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat from the ship's civilian master Capt. David Scott here Feb. 2. USNS Wheat is one of three ships that belong to Maritime Prepositioning Squadron One, which is forward-deployed year-round to the U.S. European Command area of operations. The squadron strategically stages U.S. military cargo at-sea in case a fast-breaking military or humanitarian crisis should require their use. Wheat's cargo includes a Navy Fleet Hospital, Naval Construction Battalion equipment and the supplies to set-up an expeditionary airfield. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — Adm. Henry G. Ulrich, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe and the Allied Joint Task Force Command, Naples, answers questions from course participants in the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies’ Program in Advanced Security Studies March 1. The admiral spoke with the military and civilian leaders about the transformation of security importers into security exporters. (Department of Defense photo by Karlheinz Wedhorn) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MAINZ, Germany — Army Spc. Anthony Scroggins, shown here performing duties as a broadcaster/producer with the American Forces Network-Hessen, was recognized for his valor and lifesaving actions by Mainz Police President Franz Kirchberger in a ceremony at the Mainz Police Headquarters here Feb. 1. Scroggins came to the aid of a stabbing victim by disarming the man’s attacker and neutralizing him until German police arrived. Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — U.S. European Command recognized its outstanding enlisted troops for October through December 2006 during a Service Member of the Quarter Luncheon Feb. 1 at the Swabian Events Center on Patch Barracks. The command's top troops for the quarter are: (from left to right) Air Force Senior Airman Leilani Van Etten from the Joint Analysis Center, Molesworth, United Kingdom, junior enlisted; Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Sherman from the Joint Analysis Center Molesworth, junior noncommissioned officer; and Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Kentta of EUCOM Command, Control, Communications and Warfighting Integration Directorate, senior noncommissioned officer. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Technical Sergeant Devin L. Fisher) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...