Photos from September, 2005

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — A C-141 Starlifter sits as a static display on the flightline here Sept. 30. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Julianne Trulson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, Germany — "The Spirit of Berlin," a C-17 Globemaster III, takes off during the base closure ceremony Oct. 10, officially marking the an end of 60 years of airlift history here. Flying at the base ended Sept. 30, and the "Gateway to Europe" mission now transitions to Ramstein and Spangdahlem air bases in Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Cassetty) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SCHWEINFURT, Germany — A pre-sniper participant takes up a sniper position at Camp Robertson here Sept. 28. (U.S. Army photo by Spec. Joe Alger) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
POTI, Georgia -- Lt. Col. Daniel Perala, 153rd Medical Group, Air National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyoming, examines the eye site of a local man as part of humanitarian civic assistance during RESCUER/MEDCUER 05. Airmen from across U.S. European Command recently joined with military members from the Republic of Georgia, to gain medical training and practice their responses to major disasters and mass casualty situations. In Poti 758 patients received free eyeglasses and in Kobuleti 34 patients underwent cataract surgery. (U.S. European Command photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
POTI, Georgia — Maj. Scott McKim, 435th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, checks the eyes of a local girl as part of humanitarian civic assistance during RESCUER/MEDCUER 05. Airmen from across U.S. European Command recently joined with military members from the Republic of Georgia, to gain medical training and practice their responses to major disasters and mass casualty situations. In Poti 758 patients received free eyeglasses and in Kobuleti 34 patients underwent cataract surgery. (U.S. European Command photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RHEIN-MAIN AIR BASE, GERMANY — Members of the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing load cargo onto a C-17 Globemaster III here Sept. 26. The final military aircraft scheduled to depart Rhein-Main Air Base left here at noon on its way to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. The aircraft was carrying maintenance equipment back to the United States. Air Force Maj. Edward Evans was the pilot for the final flight and said it was an honor to fly the final mission from the historic Rhein-Main Air Base. The 60-year flying mission at Rhein-Main officially ended Sept. 30 with civil aircraft scheduled to be the last to depart. The final flight of the Berlin Airlift took off from here Sept. 30, 1949. The base will be turned over to the German government Dec. 31. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marie Cassetty) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KRTSANISI, Georgia — Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nathan Guidry, standing on left, and retired Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Moose, standing on right, train 16 Republic of Georgia soldiers to be communications trainers Sept. 26 here. Guidry is the communication chief for U.S. European Command’s Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, or GSSOP; Moose is a technical trainer from the Harris Corporation. The GSSOP-trained 22nd Light Infantry Battalion troops are part of the dedicated force called for in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 to protect U.N. forces serving in Iraq. (DoD photo by Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathan Moor) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MORÓN AIR BASE, Spain — Air Force Master Sgt. Brad Musshell, F-16C Fighting Falcon avionics specialist, gathers information for flight debriefs here Sept. 25. Musshell and the other Reservists from the 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo, Ohio, are on their way home after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Army Spec. Jason Enriquez of B Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, fires the experimental XM25 semi-automatic weapon Sept. 24 at Grafenwöhr Training Area here. Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Mediterranean Sea — A SH-60 Seahawk helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the USS Ingraham (FFG 61) as coalition naval vessels move into formation here Sept. 23. The vessels in formation are Egyptian frigates ENS Sharmal Seikh and ENS Mubarak, the Pakistan ship PNS Tariq, the Italian ship IT Commondante Bettica and the landing dock ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). All the ships are participating in Bright Star 2005, a multinational exercise held every two years in Egypt. (DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Marvin Harris) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Albanian Lt. Col. Nazmi Cahani controls the point-of-view through a head-mounted, virtual reality display as part of an opposing force demonstration at the Warrior Preparation Center here Sept. 22. Nine Albanian and Slovakian officers visited the center for a familiarization visit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jonathan Friedman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
EL KEF, Tunisia — The teenage students from a school for the deaf here Sept. 22 unload a truck-load of furnishings donated by the United States. Part of U.S. European Command’s humanitarian assistance program, the delivery included refrigerators, chairs, tables and desks. In addition, concurrent shipments delivered furnishings and medical equipment to the local Diocese of Tunis and the Red Crescent. (Courtesy photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MORON AIR BASE, Spain — U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Manuel Gonzalez, right, works with Spanish Air Force Staff Sgt. Fernando Gordillo here Sept. 21 in one of two air traffic towers in the Air Force where speaking Spanish is a requirement. Gonzalez is an air traffic control watch supervisor with the 496th Air Base Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MORON AIR BASE, Spain — Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Bill Morrissey, right, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Dante Davis discuss a repair needed on a C-5 Galaxy aircraft here Sept 21. Both Airmen are on temporary duty with the 4th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron here. Morrissey is a Reservist from the 349th Component Repair Squadron, and Davis is with the 60th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, both at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MORON AIR BASE, Spain — Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ranill Hirang, 4th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, monitors the gauges as liquid nitrogen is pumped into a C-5 Galaxy here Sept. 21. Hirang is deployed here from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., where he is assigned to the 60th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VAZIANI, Georgia — A civilian role player goes through a decontamination tent during a mass casualty exercise here Sept. 19. The scenario was part of U.S. European Command’s exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005. The two-week, two-part exercise is a multi-national military training event allowing U.S. units to practice the deployment processes and interoperability with the armed forces of other countries. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Steve Faulisi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VAZIANI, Georgia — Civilian role players run with a Marine during a mass casualty exercise here Sept. 19. The scenario was part of U.S. European Command’s exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005. The two-week, two-part exercise is a multi-national military training event allowing U.S. units to practice the deployment processes and interoperability with the armed forces of other countries. (DoD photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Steve Faulisi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Over the Sahara — Niger Air Force Capt. Diallo Moctar and a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel navigate the savannah just south of the Sahara desert in Niger onboard the Niger Air Force C-130 Aug. 19. Navigation is extremely difficult in the vast stretches of the Sahara desert where landmarks are few and often obliterated by sandstorms. (Air Force photo by Capt. Tom Montgomery) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BURY ST. EDMUNDS, United Kingdom — A senior leader with the 27th Royal Air Force Regiment takes command of British airmen prior to marching in the Battle of Britain commemoration held here Sept. 18. During World War II the German Luftwaffe began its attack against the United Kingdom July 10, 1940, unleashing its bombers against Britain's shipping industry and conducting fighter sweeps over the southern coast of England in what would become known as the Battle of Britain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Shilling) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
CRETE, Greece — The dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) arrives for its first Mediterranean port visit here Sept. 16. The Pearl Harbor is assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group One and is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VAZIANI, Georgia — U.S. Marines with the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion demonstrate riot control techniques for members of the Georgian Army during exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005 here Sept. 15. The two-week exercise, which started Sept. 10, is a joint and multi-national military exercise that allows U.S. European Command units to practice their deployment processes and interoperability with the armed forces of other countries. (U.S. Air Force photos by Erin Zagursky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AMBRIZ, Angola — Angolan child Jaoa Daniel recovers in the arms of Army Capt. Karla Clarke, an intensive care nurse, here Sept. 14. Jaoa had an umbilical hernia repaired at the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital deployed here as part of U.S. European Command’s MEDFLAG 2005, a medical and humanitarian assistance exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristi Mulder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BERLIN — U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld addresses the media at a news conference during the informal meeting of NATO defense ministers here Sept. 14. (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BERLIN — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld collects his thoughts prior to a meeting of NATO defense ministers here Sept.13. Rumsfeld increased pressure on NATO allies to drop restrictions on what their troops can do in Afghanistan and other alliance missions. (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AMBRIZ, Angola — Angolan Military members march during the opening parade of the MEDFLAG 2005 here Sept. 13. U.S. European Command’s MEDFLAG 2005 is a medical and humanitarian assistance program. U.S. forces deployed from Europe to Angola in late August. The event is a combined exercise to enhance operations between U.S. and Angolan forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristi Mulder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VAZIANI, Georgia — Air Force Maj. Daniel Smith, center, 435th Medical Squadron, explains some of equipment in one of the medical tent to medical personnel from other nations during exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005 here Sept. 13. The two-week exercise, which started Sept. 10, is a joint and multi-national military exercise that allows U.S. European Command units to practice their deployment processes and interoperability with the armed forces of other countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Erin Zagursky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VAZIANI, Georgia — Air Force 1st Lt. Kris Merritt, second from right, plans solutions for communications requirements with communications specialists from Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia during exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005 here Sept. 13. The two-week exercise, which started Sept. 10, is a joint and multi-national military exercise that allows U.S. European Command units to practice their deployment processes and interoperability with the armed forces of other countries. (Courtesy photo by Moldavian Lt. Col Serghei Ocinschi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England — Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony Ayres, front, and Air Force Senior Airman Scott Benford, both with the 100th Security Forces Squadron, provide cover during a hostage negotiation exercise scenario here Sept. 13. The scenario training was part of a three-day operational readiness exercise, which ended Sept. 15, in preparation for its official inspection scheduled in October. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Jeanette Copeland) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TIBLISI, Georgia — Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tim Carentz, 435th Medical Squadron, trains military members from many other nations during exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005 here Sept. 13. The two-week exercise, which started Sept. 10, is a joint and multi-national military exercise that allows U.S. European Command units to practice their deployment processes while working with the armed forces of other countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Erin Zagursky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AMBRIZ, Angola — Army Col. Victor Lebedovych, 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital general surgeon, and Angolan Capt. (Dr.) Carlos Santos document treatment information during a mass casualty exercise here Sept. 12. The U.S. European Command’s MEDFLAG 2005 is a combined exercise to enhance operations between U.S. and Angolan forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristi Mulder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VAZIANI, Georgia — Air Force 2nd Lt. Laura Kossey, center, talks about intelligence issues with military members from other nations before participating in a part of exercise RESCUER/MEDCEUR 2005 here Sept. 12. The two-week exercise, which started Sept. 10, is a joint and multi-national military exercise that allows U.S. European Command units to practice their deployment processes and interoperability with the armed forces of other countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Erin Zagursky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, United Kingdom — Air Force Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Stoner, 372nd Training Squadron, instructs students in upgrade training on installing the upper split casing of a jet engine here. The squadron conducts formal field training on the specifics for trainees in upgrade training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stacie Good) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AMBRIZ, Angola — Members of Task Force Angola deliver a portable patient bed to a health clinic here Sept. 9 as part of the humanitarian assistance program component of exercise MEDFLAG 2005. The U.S. European Command exercise is part of the U.S. plan to work with the many countries in Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Karen Parrish) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PRISTINA, Serbia and Montenegro — Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston speaks to Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine troops deployed here Sept. 9. (DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Claudette Hutchinson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KRTSANISI, Georgia — Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Harris issues a camouflage utility blouse to a Republic of Georgia 22nd Light Infantry Battalion soldier here Sept. 9. The gear has been permanently issued as a donation to the 22nd Light Infantry Battalion as part of the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program mission, which is to assist and enhance Georgia’s military capability to sustain its contribution to the allied effort in Iraq. (DoD photo by Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathan Moor) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KRTSANISI, Georgia — Marine 1st Lt. Colin Flynn and Marine Gunnery Sgt. David Harris check the fit of a camouflage utility blouse on a Georgian soldier here Sept. 9. The gear has been permanently issued as a donation to the 22nd Light Infantry Battalion as part of the Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program mission, which is to assist and enhance Georgia’s military capability to sustain its contribution to the allied effort in Iraq. (DoD photo by Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathan Moor) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ANKARA, Turkey — Marine Gen. James L. Jones (center), commander of U.S. European Command, and Turkish Gen. Isik Kosaner, deputy chief of the General Staff, prepare to sign the NATO Center of Excellence-Defense Against Terrorism Memorandum of Understanding at the center here Sept. 8. Defense attachés from the other sponsoring NATO nations of Bulgaria, Romania and the United Kingdom also signed the agreement to provide support to the center, which offers courses and academic symposiums on countering terrorism. Also pictured are Bulgarian Col. Plamen Sotirov, Romanian Col. Emil Falcutescu, and U.K. Col. Clive Hodges. (Courtesy photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AMBRIZ, Angola — Members of the 523rd Medical Company (Dental Services) set up their area in the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital complex here Sept. 8 for exercise MEDFLAG 2005. The Soldiers are members of Task Force Angola for this year’s MEDFLAG, which is one of U.S. European Command’s exercises to work with the many countries in Africa. (U.S. Army photo by Karen Parrish) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany — Air Force Staff Sgt. Jamie Bosarge, 52nd Communications Squadron network training instructor, views images of her hometown by way of the Internet here Sept. 7. Bosarge said most of the main areas of her city were destroyed by the hurricane and subsequent floods. Her parents said they do not want to relocate but would opt to rebuild in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amaani Lyle) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — German Technical Aid Association members, who are preparing to depart here to the U.S. in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, work with members of the 723rd Air Mobility Squadron Sept. 7 in loading equipment and supplies to be sent to the disaster area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. David Underwood Jr.) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, United Kingdom — From left, Michael Brown, Chris Reeve and Air Force Master Sgt. Luis Cardenas slide a pallet of NATO food rations onto a C-5 Galaxy here Sept. 6. Together they loaded a total of 20 pallets containing about 27,300 24-hour daily ration packs. The British Ministry of Defence donated the rations, which were flown to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The ration packs are designed for cold weather and contain enough food for three meals. Brown and Reeve are air freight handlers from the 727th Air Mobility Squadron here. Cardenas is a load master from the 68th Airlift Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Jeanette Copeland) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gina Francis collects donations here Sept. 2 to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina. (U.S. Air Force photo by Amn. Nathan Doza) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GACHIANI, Georgia — Navy Lt. Louis Cimorelli, a family practice physician, provides a check-up for an Azeri girl during a medical outreach program here Sept. 2. Cimorelli is with U.S. European Command’s Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program Medical Detachment. The GSSOP Task Force mission is to assist and enhance Georgia’s capability to sustain its contribution to the effort in Iraq. (DoD photo by Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathan Moor) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GACHIANI, Georgia — Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan O’Neil, a field corpsman, measures a 10-year-old Azeri boy during a medical outreach program here Sept. 2. Such measurements of children help check for malnourishment. O’Neil is with U.S. European Command’s Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program Medical Detachment. The GSSOP Task Force mission is to assist and enhance Georgia’s capability to sustain its contribution to the effort in Iraq. (DoD photo by Marine Staff Sgt. Jonathan Moor) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Air Force medical personnel from the 791st Expeditionary Air Evacuation Squadron and 435th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility lift a wounded troop into a medical bus to be transported to a facility for further treatment here Sept. 1. (Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Erin Peterson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...