Photos from September, 2008

STUTTGART, Germany — U.S. Army Operations Detachment Alpha members from the 10th Special Forces Group demonstrate to the participants of the 76th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference how to seize a compound on their training area here, Sept. 25, 2008. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DAUGAVPILS, Latvia — U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas Butler, Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation in Latvia, offers a basketball to one of the orphans at the Priedite Orphanage here, Sept. 22, 2008. The orphanage was a joint project involving the U.S. European's Office of Defense Cooperation and the government of Latvia, including partnering with the Latvian Home Guard 34th Battalion. The project is one of several projects undertaken by the U.S. European Command's Humanitarian Assistance program in the Latvia and represents close cooperation with our allies in this region. Several more projects directed at providing support to orphanages in Latgale, Latvia have been approved and are in the process of realization. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — Sky Dalton (right), founder of Earthlink and a participant of the 76th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, receives a hands-on demonstration of an explosive ordnance disposal suit from a U.S. airman here, Sept. 23, 2008. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROTA, Spain — Participants of the 76th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference receive a tour aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas docked on Naval Air Station Rota, Spain, Sept. 22, 2008. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
HOHENFELS, Germany — Army Sgt. Matthew Marino from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division attaches a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems detector belt to a Stryker at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Sept. 12, 2008. Soldiers are here as part of Cooperative Spirit 2008, which is a test of interoperability among the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Armies. (Department of Defense photo by Army Pfc. Joshua Sizemore) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SOUDA BAY, Greece — Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard USS Iwo Jima demonstrate a fast-rope exercise for participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference who visited the ship Sept. 21, 2008. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GROZDEN, Bulgaria — Army Capt. Jason Ganong, comprehensive dentist, prepares for an extraction during his unit's visit here. The 212th Combat Support Hospital dental team is part of Joint Task Force - East, which is providing humanitarian assistance in in Bulgaria. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. Aimee Millham) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MK AIRFIELD ADMINISTRATION CENTER, Romania — Navy Seaman Apprentice Carmella Williams from from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, removes debris from the job site at the Sinoe clinic. The Seabees are doing a complete overhaul on the village's only medical clinic, including the installation of electricity and plumbing. (Department of Defense) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BAKU, Azerbaijan — Mr. Robert L. Moore, Deputy Director of Logistics and Security Assistance, greets the large group of children, parents, and community members who attended the opening ceremony and expresses America's and EUCOM's good will and best wishes to the children on their first day of school. The Lachin School # 46 in the Bina Settlement will support 250 school aged children who are Internally Displaced Persons from the disputed territories. Behind Moore are Mr. Ali Hasanov, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman for State Committee for Refugees and IDPs; Mr. Barat Tanriverdiyev, Chairman of State Committee for International Humanitarian Assistance; the builder from Aslan Construction; and Amb. Anne Derse (left to right). (Department of Defense photo by Army Maj. Kevin Bosch) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BAKU, Azerbaijan — Amb. Anne Derse (center), is flanked on her right by Mr. Ali Hasanov, Deputy Prime Minister for Refugees, IDPs, and International Humanitarian Assistance; and on her left, by Mr. Robert L Moore, EUCOM Deputy Director of Logistics and Security Assistance. Along with teachers and community leaders, they are joined by the school children who are beginning the new year with a new school. The Office of Defense Cooperation in Azerbaijan and EUCOM's Humanitarian Assistance program combined to fund and build this new 11-classroom facility, which now provides a quality structure for children who previously were housed in dilapidated metal trailers. (Department of Defense photo by Charles P. Brady) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SLAVYANTSI, Bulgaria - Army Lt. Caleb Lakey, Environmental Engineer with the 212th Combat Support Hospital, samples the spring water here, Sept. 3, 2008. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AEGEAN SEA — U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Paul Windt describes U.S. Coast Guard vessel boarding procedures to members of a Turkish coast guard boarding team on the bridge of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas Sept. 12, 2008. Dallas crewmembers and Turkish coast guardsmen trained together as part of the U.S. Navy's theater security cooperation mission. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Specialist 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERANEAN SEA — Sailors from the flight deck firefighting team practice firefighting techniques during drills held aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), Sept. 11, 2008. Vella Gulf is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BLACK SEA — Merchant Mariners Kyle Gibson and Keith Morton prepare a side-scan sonar to be launched during the joint-at-sea capabilities demonstration aboard Military Sealift Command oceanographic survey ship USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60), Sept. 12, 2008. During the demonstration, Pathfinder is searching for Soviet-flagged hospital ship SS Armenia that was sunken in WWII. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jenniffer Rivera) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GORI, Georgia — Georgian Member of Parliament Akaki Minashvili discusses damage with Lt. Col. Otto Fiala and Lt. Col. Lawrence Tubbs, members of U.S. European Command's Joint Assessment Team, amidst the ruins of a burnt apartment building where sixteen people were killed and thirteen others injured. Members of U.S. European Command's Joint Assessment team, accompanied by officials from the government of the Republic of Georgia, tour the embattled city of Gori to assess the level of damage, the status of relief efforts, and the return of displaced persons. The Department of Defense deployment is part of a larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance. This effort is coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Lt. Jim Hoeft) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BLACK SEA — Merchant Marine Seaman Derrick Moore and Kyle Gibson prepare a side-scan sonar to launch during the joint-at-sea capabilities demonstration aboard Military Sealift Command oceanographic survey ship USNS Pathfinder (T-AGS 60), Sept. 11, 2008. During the demonstration, Pathfinder will be searching for Soviet-flagged hospital ship SS Armenia that was sunken during WWII. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jenniffer Rivera) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AEGEAN SEA — Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Strimple (left), and Chief Petty Officer James Moerls of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas prepare to recover a boarding team from a Turkish coast guard patrol boat following a law enforcement boarding exercise as the Dallas and another Turkish coast guard ship pass by in the background, Sept. 12, 2008. Crewmembers from the Dallas trained with Turkish coast guard members as a part of the U.S. Navy's theater security cooperation mission. (Department of Defense photo by Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class PA2 Lauren Jorgensen) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ATLANTIC OCEAN — An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 conducts a vertical replenishment with the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept. 7, 2008. Iwo Jima is deployed as the flagship of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group and is supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 264 takes off from the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Sept. 9, 2008. Iwo Jima is deployed as the flagship of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael Starkey) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BLACK SEA — Two Bulgarian Border Police boats and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) transit through the Black Sea in formation to practice maritime security tactics Sept. 9, 2008. Dallas was moored in Burgas, Bulgaria for three days, during which the crew participated in damage control and law enforcement training with the Bulgarian Border Police as part of the U.S. Navy's theater security cooperation mission. (Department of Defense photo by Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine — USNS Pathfinder's (T-AGS 60) civilian master Capt. Troy Erwin, greets Ukrainian Navy Adm. Igor Tenukh before the ship's scheduled departure from Sevastopol, Ukraine, Sept. 6, 2008. While in port, Pathfinder picked up Ukrainian personnel and members of the U.S.-based Institute for Exploration for an upcoming at-sea capabilities demonstration with Ukraine's Department of Underwater Heritage. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer Rivera) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria — U.S. and Bulgarian soldiers from Task Force Panther stand in formation during the opening ceremony for this training rotation at the training are here Sept. 1, 2008. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BURGAS, Bulgaria — Petty Officer 1st Class Troy Matthews of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) describes U.S. Coast Guard vessel boarding and inspection procedures to a group of Bulgarian Border Policemen here, Sept. 7, 2008. Dallas arrived in Bulgaria Sept. 6, and is training with the Bulgarian Border Police to improve maritime safety and security. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Lauren Jorgensen) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SOFIA, Bulgaria — U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Schafer (left), and Bulgarian Lt. Gen. Galimir Pehlivanov sign the Logistics Implementing Arrangement, at the Inaugural U.S.-Bulgaria Joint Commission meeting held here, Sept. 2-3, 2008. The Joint Commission is a bilaterally agreed upon organization to oversee U.S. forces activities in Bulgaria. The Logistics Implementing Arrangement marks an important step towards increased engagement activities with Bulgaria. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SOUDA BAY, Crete — The amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) departed here on Aug 28 bound for the port city of Poti, Georgia with 17 tons of humanitarian aid. The command and control ship anchored off the coast of Poti Sept 5. (Department of Defense photo by Paul Farley) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — Command Sgt. Maj. David Stading of the Army 7th Civil Support Command, purchases a gift on the streets here. Stading is deployed to the Republic of Georgia in support of Operation Assured Delivery. At the request of the Government of Georgia, humanitarian assistance efforts are being coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and USAID with assistance, as required being provided by the Department of Defense following the conflict between Russian and Georgian forces. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Gay) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — Sr. Airman Jared Walker assigned to the 1st Combat Command, Ramstein, Germany, purchases a gift on the streets here. Walker is deployed to the Republic of Georgia in support of Operation Assured Delivery. At the request of the Government of Georgia, humanitarian assistance efforts are being coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and USAID with assistance, as required being provided by the Department of Defense following the conflict between Russian and Georgian forces. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Gay) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Four Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) light utility vehicles arrive early on the morning of Aug. 29, 2008 at the Ramstein Joint Mobility Processing Center. At the request of the OSCE through the U.S. Dept of State and subsequently approved by the office of the Secretary of Defense, EUCOM coordinated the move of nine OSCE vehicles destined for Tbilisi, Georgia. An Air Mobility Command C-17 delivered the vehicles to OSCE representatives in Tbilisi early on Aug. 30. The additional vehicles will add to the OSCE's mission flexibility and execution is support of their cease fire monitoring mission in Georgia. (Department of Defense photo by Maj. Laurie Bauer, Canadian Forces) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — Staff Sgt. James Letcher and Sr. Airman Jared Walker assigned to the 1st Combat Command, Ramstein, Germany, purchase a gift on the streets here. Both airmen are deployed to the Republic of Georgia in support of Operation Assured Delivery. At the request of the Government of Georgia, humanitarian assistance efforts are being coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and USAID with assistance, as required being provided by the Department of Defense following the conflict between Russian and Georgian forces. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Lt. Cmdr. John Gay) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...