Photos from October, 2006

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, center, talks with Turkish Minister of Defense Vecdi Gonul during a working lunch in the Pentagon, Oct. 30, 2006. The two defense leaders met to discuss issues of mutual interest. Turkey is located within U.S. European Command's 92-country area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by James M. Bowman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BLOEMFONTIEN, South Africa — Army Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, U.S. European Command deputy, center, is escorted by Colonel Michael Nondala, commander, South African Armour School, during an Oct. 25, 2006, tour of Tempe Military Base. Strengthening relationships and emphasizing positive bilateral engagements was the focus of the general’s nine-day visit to Angola, South Africa and Botswana. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MOLEPOLOLE, Botswana — Army Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, U.S. European Command deputy commander, right, discusses proposed projects for the Bana Ba Keletso Orphan Day Care Centre with Claude Rossi, Rotary Club of Gabarone, and Ratanang Ngwako Balisi, centre project officer, during his Oct. 27, 2006, visit here. The general concluded a nine-day visit to Angola, South Africa and Botswana with a visit to the orphan center, one of the command's humanitarian assistance projects. Strengthening relationships and emphasizing positive bilateral engagements was the focus of the Southern African visit. (Department of State photo by Laona Joel Segaetsho) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
THEBEPHATSHWA AIR BASE, Botswana — Army Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, U.S. European Command deputy, left, walks with Botswana Defence Force Brig. Gen. Tumelo Paledi here Oct. 27, 2006, after Ward congratulated a Botswana C-130 crew for their airlift support transporting African Union peacekeepers to Darfur, Sudan, last month. Strengthening relationships and emphasizing positive bilateral engagements was the focus of the general’s nine-day visit to Angola, South Africa and Botswana. (Department of State photo by Laona Joel Segaetsho) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PRAIA, Cape Verde — Navy Lt. Tony Cowart, a tactical co-coordinator assigned to the Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16) "War Eagles," demonstrates the capabilities of a maritime surveillance system to Cristine Fontes Lima, the Cape Verde minister of defense, and Roger D. Pierce, the United States ambassador to Cape Verde, Oct. 27, 2006, while Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Karney, assigned to Commander Task Force 67 (CTF-67), looks on. VP-16 is in Cape Verde to demonstrate the capabilities of their maritime surveillance systems and help improve the Cape Verdian security posture. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gunnar C. Gorder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PRAIA, Cape Verde – Navy Captain Chip Walter, Commander Task Force 67 and United States Ambassador to Cape Verde, Roger D. Pierce, prepare for maritime security demonstration flight aboard a P3 Orion airplane at Praia International Airport Oct. 28, 2006. Sailors participating in Task Force 67 are part of a detachment sent here to demonstrate the capabilities of their maritime surveillance systems and help improve maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea region. Ship visits, joint training opportunities, and military-to-military exercises help improve interoperability, increase regional maritime security and are an outward sign of our continued commitment to our enduring and emerging partners. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gunnar C. Gorder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — The flagship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight (CCSG-8), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), anchors off the coast of Cyprus Oct. 25, 2006, for a port visit. Eisenhower departed her homeport of Norfolk, Va., Oct. 3, for a regularly scheduled deployed in support of maritime security operations. Embarked aboard Eisenhower are aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7). (Department of Defense photo by Navy Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class John Frietze) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TIVAT, Montenegro — Capt. Perry Bingham, right, commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), takes a walk through Tivat with a Montenegrin representative after Anzio pulled into port here Oct. 23, 2006. Anzio's visit is one step the Navy is taking to strengthen the emerging partnership with Montenegro and the Montenegrin navy. Anzio is the first ship to visit Tivat since 1975. Montenegro is located within U.S. European Command's 92-country area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew D. Leistikow) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina Douglas L. McElhaney speaks about defense and other reforms in Bosnia-Herzegovina to more than 150 government and military leaders from 35 countries participating in the Program in Advanced Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies Oct. 16, 2006. (Department of Defense photo by Karlheinz Wedhorn) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TIVAT, Montenegro — Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) helped Montenegrin junior achievement scholars clean up litter here, Oct. 23, 2006 as part of a community relations project. The ship and crew on a routine deployment to support the Global War on Terror, encourage maritime security and to foster goodwill in the region. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERRANEAN SEA - Navy Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Steven Sutton watches as a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter shuts down after landing aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) Oct. 21, 2006. The ship, embarked helicopter detachment and crew are deployed here with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in support of maritime security operations and the Global War on Terror. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew D. Leistikow) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld escorts Minister of Defense of Spain Jose Antonio Alonso through a cordon of honor guards and into the Pentagon, Oct. 23, 2006. The two defense leaders met to discuss a range of international issues of mutual interest. Spain is located within U.S. European Command's 92-country area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by James M. Bowman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NAPLES, Italy — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) pulls anchor Oct . 21, 2006, to get the enormous ship underway, following a port visit here. Eisenhower, the flagship for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, departed her homeport of Norfolk, Va., Oct. 3, for a regularly scheduled deployed in support of maritime security operations. Embarked aboard the Eisenhower are aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
FETESTI AIR BASE, Romania — U.S. Air Force Gen. Tom Hobbins (left) discusses training options with Romanian Air Force Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gheorghe Catrina (right) and Air Flotilla General Simonescu Laurentin during a visit here Oct. 20, 2006. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander also visited Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, where approximately 100 U.S. Air Force and Army servicemembers will serve at a new joint task force headquarters. This headquarters, along with other combined endeavors with Romania, falls under the U.S. European Command Theater Security Cooperation plan to enhance and strengthen the alliance among NATO and partnering nations. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Capt. Elizabeth Culbertson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERRANEAN SEA – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) gets underway following a port visit to Naples, Italy on Oct. 21, 2006. The ship and crew departed homeport of Norfolk, Va., on Oct. 3 for a regularly scheduled deployement in support of Maritime Security Operations and the Global War on Terror. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS ANZIO (CG 68), Mediterranean Sea – A HH-60H Seahawk helicopter assigned to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five (HS-5), conducts a vertical replenishment at sea here Oct. 21, 2006. The replenishment at sea allows Navy ships to remain at sea for extended periods of time without returning to port to obtain food stores, supplies and spare parts. The helicopter and crew are embarked aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), part of Carrier Air Wing 7. Elements of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, departed their homeports on Oct. 3, 2006, for a regularly scheduled deployed in support of Maritime Security Operations. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, U.S. European Command deputy, (left) administers the inspector general oath to new EUCOM inspector general Army Col. Mike Anderson (center) and his deputy, Victor Jarrett, Oct. 16, 2006. Ward administered the oath to Anderson and his inspector general team acknowledging the special obligations and responsibilities the group must report on the state of the economy, efficiency, discipline, morale, training and readiness of the command. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Devin L. Fisher) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITTERANEAN SEA – Sailors secure a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter on the flight deck of the Numitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on the evening of October 21, 2006 while operating at sea. The ship and crew on a regularly scheduled deployed in support of Maritime Security Operations and the Global War on Terror. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team exit a C-130 Hercules transport Oct. 16, 2006, during the unit’s first mass tactical jump since transformation. Twenty-nine German cadre and students from the German Army Parachute School joined the 173rd members on their Oct. 17 jump earning the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge, or “jump wings.” (Department of Defense photo by Arthur McQueen) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (right) escorts French Minister of Defense Michelle Alliot-Marie through an honor cordon and into the Pentagon on Oct. 19, 2006. Rumsfeld and Alliot-Marie will meet to discuss a range of international issues of interest to both nations. France 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 ...
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — A landing craft air cushion from Assault Craft Unit Four enters the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) after conducting a morning demonstration for Iceland's counterterrorism team known as the Viking Squad here Oct. 17, 2006. Members of the ACU 4 visited Iceland after completing a two-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea with the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) in support of U.S. European Command's Joint Task Force Lebanon. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary L. Borden) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KRTSANISI TRAINING AREA, Georgia — Command Sgt. Maj. Iuniasolua Savusa, U.S. Army, Europe command sergeant major, speaks to a group of troops from the Georgian 33rd Infantry Battalion during an Oct. 18, 2006, visit near Tblisi. A task force of U.S. Army, Europe Soldiers is currently training the Georgian battalion, scheduled to deploy to Iraq in the coming months, on individual to battalion-level infantry tactics and combat lifesaver skills. (Department of Defense photo by Karen S. Parrish) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — U.S. Navy Sailors man the rails aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) as the ship pulls into Reykjavik Oct. 12, 2006. Wasp is the first U.S. Navy ship to visit Iceland after the closing of the Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sarah West) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Hawley, right, commanding officer, USS WASP (LHD 1), explains the operation of the mess decks to Iceland Prime Minister Hon. Geir Haarde during a tour of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship in Reykjavik Oct. 13, 2006. Wasp is in Iceland following its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea for a humanitarian mission in support of Joint Task Force Lebanon. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Robbie Stirrup) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, right, welcomes Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader to the Pentagon here Oct. 17, 2006. The two leaders are meeting to discuss defense issues of mutual interest. Croatia is located within U.S. European Command's 92-country area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by Helene C. Stikkel) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NAPLES, Italy — Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) pulled into port here Oct. 17, 2006, for a three-day port visit. Both ships are members of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), which has been on deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism since Oct. 3, 2006. Since entering the U.S. European Command area of responsibility in early October, IKE CSG has been planning Theater Security Cooperation engagements and maritime security operations with the militaries of Italy, Cyprus, Bosnia, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and Romania. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KRIVOLAK, Macedonia — A Vermont National Guardsman observes a Macedonian military policeman during the rifle marksmanship training portion of Operation Rising Phalanx, which took place here Sept. 9-22, 2006. The U.S. European Command State Partnership Program sponsored field exercise culminated a 10-month small unit exchange to train Macedonian Army military police platoons to take part in international peacekeeping missions. The State Partnership Program, which originated in 1993, links a National Guard State with a partner nation in support of EUCOM’s Theater Security Cooperation objectives. There are currently 24 partnerships within the EUCOM area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TIVAT, Montenegro - The guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) sailed into port here Oct 23, 2006, the first time for a U.S. Navy ship to visit Montenegro since the country declared independence in June 2006. Anzio is on a routine deployment supporting the Global War on Terror. (Deparatment of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dale Miller) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS Ross (DDG 71), Gulf of Lion — Members of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Team assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) regroup during an Oct. 9, 2006, boarding exercise aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy replenishment ship HNLMS Amsterdam (A 836). Ross is the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group Two and participated in NATO Exercise Brilliant Midas 2006. Brilliant Midas, which took place Sept. 29 through Oct. 13, 2006, is a multinational crisis response exercise conducted annually in the Mediterranean Sea with participating NATO nations to train and certify members of the NATO Response Force. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leonardo Carrillo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS ROSS (DDG 71), Gulf of Lion – Ensign James Dickey briefs the members the ship’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team before conducting a boarding exercise here, Oct. 9, 2006. Ross is the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group Two and is currently participating in NATO Exercise Brilliant Midas 2006. Brilliant Midas is a multinational exercise conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leonardo Carrillo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TOULON, France — Maritime Prepositioning Force officer Lt. j.g. Edward D. Quinones, from Amphibious Construction Battalion Two, gives a tour of the Maritime Prepositioning Force ship, MV 2nd LT John P. Bobo, Oct. 3, 2006, while positioned off the southern coast of France. The ship was host to approximately 60 Marines from around the fleet for Exercise Brilliant Midas 06, which took place Sept. 28 to Oct. 14, 2006, and served as a learning tool to maintain and increase staff planning skills for the Marines. The force includes 16 constantly deployed ships that are configured to transport nearly everything the Marine Corps needs to sustain about 15,000 Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force personnel for up to 30 days during an initial military operation. (Department of Defense photo by Marine Sgt. Adrianne Rigez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, second from right, escorts Prime Minister of Iceland Geir Haarde, second from left, and his delegation through an honor cordon as they enter the Pentagon Oct. 11, 2006. The two leaders met to discuss security issues of mutual interest. Haarde also met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during his visit, and the two signed a joint agreement that she said strengthens the capability of the two countries to deal with today's global threats. “In this joint understanding we undertake to cooperate in areas of international crime, border control, counterterrorism measures, police work, Coast Guard activity and so on,” Haarde added. (Department of Defense photo by James M. Bowman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Atlantic Ocean — A plane director positions a F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Three (VFA-83), onto catapult two prior to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Eisenhower is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and the global war on terrorism and will enter the Mediterranean Sea in Mid-October. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Angel Contreras) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NAPLES, Italy — Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Wolstenholme reads his orders during the Oct. 11, 2006, change of command ceremony in which he relinquished command of the USS Barry (DDG-52) to Cmdr. William Seaman, left, as Capt. John Nowell, commander of Destroyer Squadron Six Zero looks on. Barry and its crew of nearly 300 Sailors are currently deployed to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility and made port visits in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Guinea region of Africa strengthening partnerships and encouraging maritime security. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kurt Riggs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Spc. John Emmett, 21st Theater Support Command, accepts Soldier of the Year honors Oct. 9, 2006, from Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston (left) and Gen. Richard A. Cody, Army vice-chief of staff. Emmett and nine other major command representatives vied for honors during the 2006 Department of the Army Noncommissioned/Soldier of the Year Competition, at Fort Lee, Va. (Department of Defense photo by Ray Johnson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TEMA, Ghana — Ghanaian military medical personnel practice advanced emergency evacuation aboard USS Elrod (FFG 55) during Medflag ’06, a multinational medical training exercise. The shipboard portion of Medflag '06, that took place Oct. 4-5, 2006, is part of a U.S. European Command-directed multinational medical training exercise designed to strengthen partnerships and improve medical skills in African partner nations. U.S. Navy efforts in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea continue to be focused on strengthening emerging partnerships and increasing maritime safety and security. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SCHWETZINGEN, Germany – 1st Personnel Command Sgt. Maj. Andrea Marks (right) assists Col. Phillip Smith, Commander, to uncase the unit’s colors at Tompkins Barracks gymnasium here upon the return of 1st PERSCOM headquarters to Germany Oct. 4, 2006. The command was deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom for the last 12 months. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS ELROD (FFG 55), Tema, Ghana — A USS Elrod stretcher bearer, right, works with Ghanaian army auxiliary nurses on personnel casualty transport techniques aboard the ship. This medical training between U.S. and Ghanaian service members was part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed MEDFLAG 06, and helps strengthen relationships with emerging partner nations in West Africa's Gulf of Guinea region. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SIGONELLA, Sicily – Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class Ryan Waller, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eight (EODMU-8), descends from the rappelling tower here Oct 5, 2006. EODMU-8 regularly conducts rappel training to maintain qualifications. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gunnar Gorder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, Atlantic Ocean – An F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the "Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VFA-103), approaches a plane director on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) prior to launch. Eisenhower is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and the global war on terrorism. The ship is scheduled to visit the Mediterranean Sea in mid-October. (Department of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dale Miller) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NAPLES, Italy -- Adm. Harry G. Ulrich, commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples and U.S. Naval Forces Europe, and Gen. Lt. Col. Jovan Lakcevic, chief of the General Staff, Montenegrin Armed Forces, salute during honors upon arrival in Naples Oct. 2, 2006. Lakcevic spent two days in Naples discussing the development of Montenegro's defense force with staff members from Naval Forces Europe and NATO. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen an emerging partnership with the new Montenegrin government. (Department of Defense photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Bir) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS Ross (DDG 71), Mediterranean Sea — Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Justin Tinkey and Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Joshua Hermes assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG-2), maintain course Oct. 2, 2006, during NATO Exercise Brilliant Midas 2006. Brilliant Midas is a multinational exercise conducted in the Mediterranean Sea. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leonardo Carrillo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SCHWETZINGEN, Germany — U.S. Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major of Leon Caffie visited with 7th Army Reserve Command Soldiers during a Sept. 28, 2006, visit here. Caffie, who was sworn in as the 10th command sergeant major of the Army Reserve Aug. 18, 2006, talked to Soldiers about transformation and expectations. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS ROSS (DDG 71), Gulf of Lion — A French navy Alouette III Helicopter from the French support ship FS Marne (A630) takes off from the flight deck aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) Oct. 4, 2006. Ross is the flagship for Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG-2) and is currently participating in NATO Exercise Brilliant Midas 2006, a multinational exercise in the Mediterranean. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Leonardo Carril) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GERMERSHEIM ARMY DEPOT, Germany — Navy Rear Adm. Michael Lyden (center), U.S. European Command logistics and securities assistance director, officially opens the Theater Consolidation and Shipping Point, Europe during a ribbon cutting ceremony here Oct. 2, 2006. Accompanying Lyden, from left to right, are Hilliard Reese, Brig. Gen. Michael Lalley, Brig. Gen. Yves Fontaine, Brig. Gen. Phillip Thorpe, Col. Lynn Collyar and Lt. Col. Lance Koenig, the commander of the new processing center. The facility relocates joint theater distribution missions from the Theater Distribution Center,Kaiserslautern, and the Air Mobility Command Terminal, Ramstein Air Base, merging them with the existing capabilities of Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Distribution Depot, Europe. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
COTONOU, Benin — Gayleatha Brown, U.S. Ambassador to Benin, looks through the ship's "Big Eyes" during a tour onboard the USS Elrod (FFG 55) here Sept. 29, 2006. Elrod, the first U.S. Navy ship to visit the Beninese capital in more than two years, recently completed a four day port visit to Cotonou. During the visit, which was led by Navy Lt. Michel Falzoni, the ship's combat systems officer, the crew conducted a community relations project, hosted members of the government for a maritime security demonstration and welcomed numerous community members aboard to tour the ship and meet the service members. U.S. Navy efforts in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea focus on strengthening emerging partnerships and increasing maritime safety and security for the region. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NAVAL AIR STATION KEFLAVIK, Iceland – Navy Cdr. Todd Barclay (right), Naval Air Station Keflavik executive officer, presents the recently-lowered U.S. flag to Navy Capt. Mark Laughton, the unit’s last commanding officer on Sept. 30, 2006. The drawdown in the military presence in Iceland and closure of the base supports the ongoing Department of Defense transformation in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility. Naval Air Station Keflavik's mission stemmed from countering military threats during the Cold War. Changes in the international security environment and U.S. military doctrine require that U.S. forces adjust accordingly to meet the global threat, including providing a flexible response to current and future threats. The United States and Iceland have maintained a defense relationship for more than 55 years with U.S. forces stationed on the island. (Department of State photo by Sally Hodgson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BAMAKO, Mali – Army Sgt. Kristopher Baker bestows a medal to the third place winner of the girls relay during the Youth Peace Games here Sept. 20, 2006. The games were designed to bring together more than 450 youths from the major southern Malian cities to compete in a variety of sporting events. The athletes were identified as future civic leaders and were hand-picked by their local city leaders to participate in the games. In addition to the games, the youths participated in classes and seminars on leadership, tolerance, anti-extremism and cooperation led by local and American Olympic athletes and local leaders. Baker was part of a Military Information Support Team working with the U.S. Embassy in Mali. Baker was part of a Military Information Support Team working with the U.S. embassy in Mali. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Abney) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PORTOROZ, Slovenia — Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld responds to reporters questions during a press meeting here Sept. 29, 2006. Secretary Rumsfeld is visiting Slovenia to attend the NATO Defense Ministerial and conduct bilateral discussions with Slovenian leaders. Slovenia is within U.S. European Command's 92-country area of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by James M. Bowman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TIBLISI, Georgia – Army Lt. Col. Craig Jones of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center and training task force commander awards a Georgian soldier with a combat qualification badge at the Krtsanisi Training Area here Sept. 29, 2006. The ceremony marks the completion of 12 weeks of training by the nearly 600 soldiers of the Georgian 31st Light Infantry Battalion and 2nd Infantry Brigade Reconnaissance Troop. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ALCOCHETE RANGE, Portugal — Gen. Tom Hobbins (right), U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, discusses the Portuguese tactical fighter training range here with Portuguese Col. Carlos Rocha, on Sept. 29, 2006. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Capt. Elizabeth Culbertson) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...