Blog Posts from January, 2010
Redeployment Ceremony of the Czech Republic’s 601st Special Operations Force
While working with our coalition partners I have had the opportunity to meet many of our partner’s logistics professionals who have been supporting the “Global War on Terror." During the 601st Czech SOF’s multiple deployments they were embedded with our own Special Forces units on the ground and they were recognized by their country and their leadership following their successful deployment.
Attending the ceremony was the Honorable Jan Fischer, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, the Honorable M.D. Martin Barták, Czech Republic Minister of Defense and our U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, the Honorable Mary Thompson-Jones. Also attending, was a long list of dignitaries and officials I could not keep up with. With any redeployment ceremony the most important in attendance were family members of the 601st soldiers. It was an honor to be the only USAF NCO in the mix and it was a unique experience being treated as a VIP.
The VIP treatment included flying in a Czech Republic Air Force Helicopter with the U.S. Ambassador, which included flight attendants serving refreshments. Nearly topping that experience, I also sat one table away from their country's highest ranking military and civilian officials along with U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic during the ceremony.
This type of support/partnership provided to the Czech Republic and their instant recognition of me and LTC Cordero is a perfect example of Admiral Stavridis’ picture of the “Bridge” which represents the enhancement of security, regional stability, and the support of global initiatives.
TSgt Timothy Powell
ECJ4 EDDOC
U.S. European Command
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Afghanistan Visit and Way Forward
I came away encouraged and optimistic about our approach.
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SOCEUR 55-55
yes, 55 years ago today – EUCOM’s Commander-in-Chief established Support Operations Command Europe
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Social Media...Still a Fad?
pay attention to the impact social media has had recently in Haiti.
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A History Lesson for Me
I’ve learned quite a bit about how the military works in order to help in assistance efforts.
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Reaching Out to My Team at U.S. European Command
Last Friday I flew to my U.S. European Command (EUCOM) headquarters in Stuttgart to conduct an “All Hands” with the military and civilian personnel assigned to the headquarters at Patch Barracks. The flight from my NATO headquarters in Belgium was an airborne “sleigh ride,” and the landing a bit of a white knuckle experience. However, I really wanted to meet with the team and talk about the “way ahead” for 2010, share with them my perspective, and solicit their feedback.
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The New Year with European Command and Our Partner Nations
Happy Twenty Ten from U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany!
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Five Great Reads for the New Year
While the U.S. European Command and SHAPE reading lists (available from our websites) provide some wonderful selections, I thought I’d quickly offer five good books that I read over the course of 2009 that relate to some aspect of what we are about these days.
Comments: 1
Colonel Milan Kovanda is a well respected leader and true gentleman. I've had a chance to work with him in the past and it's an excellent experience. The ceremony should be good.